MALTA CITIZENSHIP BY INVESTMENT
(TO BE DISCONTINUED)
European Citizenship: The Ultimate Privilege for Global Leaders
Malta citizenship for investors and
their families.
Unlock a world of privilege and prestige with Maltese citizenship through the Citizenship by Investment Program.
As a European Union passport holder, you and your family gain unparalleled access to 27 EU countries, visa-free travel to over 180 destinations, and the opportunity to live, work, or study anywhere in Europe.
Malta citizens can benefit from a wide range of world-class services, including free education and healthcare. Because Malta is a member of the European Union (EU), a passport from Malta conveys rights and privileges similar to the passports of Germany, France, or any other EU country. As such, Malta passport holders may live, work or study in any country belonging to the European Union.
International business executives, investors, VIPs as well as affluent citizens worldwide consider Malta citizenship a powerful asset and safety net should the living conditions at home become unfavorable, or to obtain a prestigious second passport to facilitate international travel. Because Malta allows dual citizenship, most applicants retain the citizenship of their home country in addition to receiving a second passport from Malta (EU).
Visa-free Travel
to 186 Countries
Free Custom
Quotation
Live - Work -
Retire in the EU
Private &
Confidential
Family Members
Included
Full Citizenship &
Passport
Dual citizenship with Malta offers more than a second passport—it’s a statement of success and global mobility. Elevate your lifestyle with exclusive business opportunities, European banking, world-class healthcare, and premium education for your family.
In under two years, you can join an elite circle of global citizens who understand that true power lies in having options. This is more than a second passport – it's your key to preserving wealth, protecting assets, and maintaining personal freedom in an uncertain world.
Malta's citizenship program represents a strategic investment in your legacy, ensuring your family's access to European privileges for generations to come.
Dual Citizenship: Where Power Meets Freedom.
Investment Amounts and Fees
Malta's citizenship by investment program, the "Malta Naturalisation
for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment Regulations",
also referred to as the "Maltese Exceptional Investor Naturalisation
(MEIN)", requires three main types of expenses: government-mandated
investments/donations, government application fees, and service
provider legal fees.
The applicant makes the required investments
after receiving the citizenship approval in principle,
and residing in Malta continuously during or after the residency
period is not a requirement to receive citizenship.
The total number of citizenship certificates granted is
limited to 400 per year. Please
contact us to receive a
detailed quotation.
PROGRAM COST:
- Malta Exceptional Direct Investment (non-refundable
donation to the Malta government):
- Main applicant: Choose between EUR 600,000 (36 months residency period) or EUR 750,000 (12 months residency period)
- Each dependent (if any): EUR 50,000
- Malta Philanthropic Donation:
- Main applicant only: EUR 10,000
- Malta Property Investment (minimum 5 year holding
period):
- Main applicant only: Choose between a property purchase at EUR 700,000 or a property rental at EUR 16,000 per year
- Malta Government Fees:
- Residence permit fee, main applicant: EUR 5,000. Each dependent (if any): EUR 1,000
- Residence card: EUR 27.50 per card
- Citizenship eligibility due diligence fee, main applicant: EUR 15,000. Each dependent age 12 and over (if any): EUR 10,000
- Citizenship eligibility administrative fee, each applicant: EUR 1,000
- Citizenship administrative fee, each applicant: EUR 500
- Legal Fees:
- Depending on the number of family members to be included. Please ask us about a custom quotation for you / your family.
To calculate government fees for applicants who wish to include dependents, please use our Citizenship Cost Calculator. Total legal fees depend on the number of family members to be included. Please contact us for a custom quotation.
If the price seems seems high, remember: Financial investments can go to zero. The freedom of a second passport pays dividends forever!
The Benefits of Malta Citizenship
Many affluent citizens around the world consider the passport of an EU member country a powerful tool for international tax planning and to provide their families with a better quality of life.
Because Malta allows dual citizenship, most applicants retain the citizenship of their home country in addition to receiving a second passport from Malta (EU).
Applicants realize that the Maltese citizenship can provide several
benefits, including:
- Visa free travel to over 180 countries, including the USA, Canada, and Europe
- Living or retiring in a safe country with a warm climate
- A better education for the applicant’s children
- Children and grand children gain visa free travel and the right to live, work, or study in many countries
- A better quality of life for the family, including better healthcare and an unpolluted environment
- Relatively low real estate prices
- Personal security
- Tax advantages
- Freedom associated with having dual citizenship / a second passport
- Applicants are not required to continuously live in Malta before or after citizenship approval
Free Movement of Persons
The Malta citizenship program extends to the entire family for future generations. This includes not only the main applicant but also a spouse or long-term partner (of any gender), children, parents, and grandparents. All family members covered by the program have the freedom to travel, reside, and work without constraints within the European Union.
Free Movement of Goods & Services
Malta citizens and their affiliated companies enjoy the advantage of being able to seamlessly offer their products and services throughout the European Union member states. This unrestricted market access provides a significant opportunity for business expansion and collaboration within the EU, fostering economic growth and enhancing the competitive edge of Maltese entrepreneurs and enterprises on the European stage.
Free Movement of Capital
Holders of a Malta passport benefit from a range of financial and investment opportunities within the European Union. With the privilege of being able to transfer funds seamlessly between EU member states, Malta passport holders have the flexibility to manage their finances efficiently across borders. Additionally, they enjoy the freedom to purchase property in any EU country of their choice, providing them with diverse real estate investment options and the ability to establish residences according to personal preferences.
Attractive Tax System
Malta stands out as a compelling financial center, drawing attention
for its highly advantageous tax system and strategic geographical
position at the nexus of three continents – Europe, Africa, and
Asia. The combination of these factors makes Malta an ideal destination
for individuals and businesses seeking favorable tax conditions
and a strategic location for international trade and commerce.
The favorable tax system in Malta encompasses various incentives
and exemptions, contributing to the nation's appeal as a financial
hub. Applicants are advised to secure the services of an independent
tax specialist. Should you require assistance in this regard,
we would be glad to facilitate an introduction to reputable tax
specialists familiar with Malta's tax landscape.
High Standard of Living
Holders of Malta residency or citizenship enjoy an elevated standard
of living, attributed to their access to esteemed private schools,
reliable private medical facilities, and Malta's standing with one
of the lowest crime rates in Europe. In Malta, a harmonious coexistence
prevails among multiple cultures, fostering a peaceful and inclusive
community. The unpolluted air, codified property rights, and the
freedom of expression contribute to the well-rounded quality of
life that residents and citizens experience in Malta.
Because of the country's history as a former British colony the
Maltese school system reflects the British structure. There are
two school categories: state schools and private schools. State
schools are free to all students (including free transportation
and free books), while private schools such as international schools
charge tuition fees. Attending the renowned University of Malta
for an undergraduate or graduate/post-graduate degree is free for
Malta citizens and their children.
Visa Free Travel
Possessing a Malta passport offers a range of travel advantages,
eliminating the need for a visa when traversing within the European
Union. This facilitates seamless travel experiences for Malta passport
holders, allowing them to explore the diverse landscapes, cultures,
and opportunities that the EU member states have to offer. Additionally,
Malta passport holders also enjoy visa-free travel to numerous non-EU
countries, providing them with global mobility and accessibility.
The Malta Citizenship by Investment Application Procedure Step by Step
Step #1: Application Start
The applicant retains our government-licensed immigration attorney
to represent him/her throughout the application procedure.
Step #2: Residency Application
Next, the applicant rents a local residence to cover the residency
period, and we file for Malta residency status, which allows visa-free
Schengen travel, valid for up to 36 months.
Step #3: Citizenship Eligibility Application
After the applicant has received residency status, we proceed with
filing for Malta citizenship eligibility.
Step #4: Citizenship Application
After eligibility is confirmed, we submit the Malta citizenship
application. If approved, the government issues a conditional Approval
in Principle.
Step #5: Investments
Upon receiving the approval in principle, the applicant fulfills
all remaining requirements, including making the required investment/donation
and securing a property for a minimum of 5 years through either
purchase or rental.
Step #6: Oath of Allegiance
The final step involves taking the Oath of Allegiance, after which
the applicant receives the Certificate of Naturalization and the
Malta passport.
The entire process, from Step #1 to Step #6, can be completed in as little as 14 - 18 months.
Malta Citizenship Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The following are select questions frequently asked about the Maltese citizenship by investment program. If you don't find your answers here, please contact us at your convenience. Click here for a long version of all FAQs.
Q: Are your attorneys licensed by the Malta government?
A: Yes. Our immigration attorneys are licensed "Authorized Registered
Mandatories" as designated by the Government of Malta (Aġenzija
Komunita' Malta). Applicants are not permitted to file residency
or citizenship applications themselves due to the complexities involved
in preparing all government-mandated application forms.
Applications may only be submitted to the Malta government by
an agent licensed by the Community Malta Agency. Feel free to
peruse the
profiles of our attorneys.
Q: What is the minimum investment required to obtain
the Malta citizenship?
A: Applicants under the Naturalisation for Exceptional Services
by Direct Investment Regulation are required to make a one-time
financial commitment in support of the economic development of Malta.
Citizenship is available to qualified investors for a contribution,
meaning a non-refundable donation, in the amount of EUR 600,000
(36 months residency option) or EUR 750,000 (12 months residency
option) plus government application charges and legal fees.
In addition, the main applicant must make a philanthropic donation
in the amount of EUR 10,000 to a registered philanthropic, cultural,
sport, scientific, animal welfare or artistic non-governmental organization.
Further, the main applicant must establish a residence in Malta
through either (a) purchasing real estate valued at no less than
EUR 700,000 or (b) renting a property at no less than EUR 16,000
per year.
NOTE: The contribution/investment needs to be made only
after the government has issued the Citizenship Approval
in Principle. In other words, no investments need to be made before
the citizenship application is approved.
Please use our contact form to receive a detailed cost estimate.
Q: How will new citizens be taxed?
A: In general, Malta taxation is only based on domicile (your permanent
home), and not on residency or citizenship status.
Under Maltese Law, at birth you automatically acquire your domicile
status (Domicile of Origin) from your father. If your father later
changes his domicile to a new location (Domicile of Choice), yours
automatically changes to this new location as well. On attaining
the age of 18, you are allowed to acquire a new domicile of choice,
but there is no such requirement.
This means if you don’t make Malta your domicile, then only
income and capital gains generated from activities inside Malta
are fully taxable. Income, such as from employment, arising outside
of Malta and not sent to Malta is not taxable. In addition, capital
gains or savings generated outside of Malta even if brought into
Malta are not taxable for non-domiciled residents.
In other words, tax is due only on (a) income generated inside of
Malta, (b) capital gains arising inside of Malta, and (c) income
generated outside of Malta and remitted to Malta.
Other Tax Considerations:
- No inheritance or death taxes
- No estate duty
- No net worth or wealth taxes
- No municipal taxes, rates or real estate taxes
Q: Can I include my family with my Malta citizenship
application?
A: Yes. The main applicant for Maltese citizenship may include a
spouse or long-term partner (gender neutral), children under 18
years of age, financially dependent adult children under the age
of 29, and parents and grandparents over the age of 55.
Q: Will my citizenship expire?
A: No. When you acquire Malta citizenship you and your family enjoy
full citizenship for life, which can be passed on to future generations
by descent.
Q: Do I need to move to Malta or live in Malta for a
minimum number of days during the year to qualify for residency
or citizenship?
A: No. Applicants do not need to move to Malta or live in the country
for a full year to satisfy the one year (or three year) residency
requirement when applying for citizenship. Instead, an applicant
can meet the requirement by proving a genuine link with Malta as
evidenced by, for example, several visits per year, showing water
and electricity bills, having a club membership, engaging in any
business activity in Malta, and similar. Our attorneys will assist
you to be in full compliance with Maltese regulations.
Q: How long does the application processing take until
I get citizenship?
A: In general, application processing can take as little as 12 to
18 months. The Malta citizenship application process is performed
in two stages: the first stage is Malta residency, the second stage
is Malta citizenship.
The residency stage takes approximately
15 working days to process, after which residency status is conferred
upon the applicant. The main applicant and any dependents are provided
with an E-Residence document which is equivalent to a Schengen Visa,
granting Malta residency and borderless travel to all Schengen countries.
After you receive residency status your assigned attorney will work
with you on preparing your citizenship eligibility application.
The application can be filed immediately after you have been in
residency status for 12 months or 36 months, depending on your choice
of investment option.
Lastly, processing times also depend on how fast the applicant can
provide supporting documentation.
Q: Can you help me find suitable real estate in Malta?
A: Yes. Feel free to browse available properties with pictures and
prices on our Malta real estate
page.
In addition, we offer a full range of professional
real estate services to buyers; please request our "Malta Real Estate
Services" brochure for details.
Further, we are associated
with licensed real estate agencies and developers in Malta and can
help you find a property that fulfills all application requirements.
We will ensure that your preferred property meets the minimum standards
of your residency or citizenship application as many properties
currently do not meet these requirements. Having rented or bought
a property that does not meet the government regulation can lead
to a lot of frustration and additional expenses when trying to bring
such a property up to code.
Our professional relationships in Malta guarantee to our clients
a smooth, comprehensive service that includes identifying suitable
properties, providing transport for property viewings, drafting/reviewing
legal contracts, and/or liaising with local notaries and architects
as needed.
When you decide on a property for purchase we can set up a Power
of Attorney to appear on your behalf without the need for you to
travel to Malta to finalize the transaction.
Q: How soon can I sell my Malta real estate?
A: The property needs to be held for five years. After this period,
property in Malta can be sold completely exempt from tax if it has
been held for three years as the resident’s sole and ordinary residence.
If the property is sold before having been used as the resident’s
sole residence for three years, a final property tax of 12% is chargeable
on the selling price.
Q: Do I need to invest in a Malta company and create
jobs to qualify for the program?
A: No. Unlike other programs such as the
EB-5 Investor Visa in the United States, Malta has no requirements
to invest in a business or create new jobs.
Q: Will the Malta citizenship automatically grant me
European citizenship?
A: Yes. Because Malta is a member of the European Union its citizens
are automatically European citizens, which means you are allowed
to live, work or study anywhere in Europe.
However, please note that the total number of citizenships (total
number of passports) the Maltese government has made available under
the new regulation is limited to only 400 per year! If you are ready
to file an application
please contact us for additional information.
Q: What is the difference between the Naturalisation
for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment Regulation and
the Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP)?
A: The Malta Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by
Direct Investment Regulation (Maltese Exceptional Investor
Naturalisation / MEIN) is a program that offers qualified applicants,
including EU nationals and non-EU nationals, Malta residency and
citizenship (the Malta passport) in return for a one-time contribution
to the Malta economy as outlined in the section "Investment Amounts
and Fees" above.
The Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP),
on the other hand, leads to permanent residency, meaning the permission
to live in Malta as long as desired, and visa-free travel to all
European countries within the Schengen area for 90 out of 180 days.
The application process usually takes 4 to 6 months, but it does
not lead to the Maltese (EU) citizenship or the Malta passport.
Residents may file a citizenship application after 6 years in residency
status, but there is no guarantee that an approval will be granted,
and approvals typically take 10 to 15 years.
For additional information about Malta's residency programs please
visit our
Malta Residency
page.
Q: What is Malta's position on fintech / crypto-currency
/ blockchain technology?
A: Malta is fast establishing itself as the premier destination
for cryptocurrency and blockchain technology. The government's regulatory
framework will cover traders, asset management, and exchange platforms,
thus making Malta the world’s friendliest jurisdiction for the sector.
Our associated crypto / blockchain professionals are published experts
in this field who can advise you on best practices for fintech-related
topics in Malta.
Please use our fintech contact form for additional information.
Q: What does "Schengen Area" mean?
A: Malta residency/citizenship allows you to travel without restrictions
across the "Schengen Area" of the European Union. The Schengen zone
is a group of 26 European countries that have abolished passport
and immigration controls at their common borders. It functions as
a single country for international travel purposes, with a common
visa policy. Source:
Wikipedia
Q: Will I be able to travel to the United States with
the Malta passport?
A: Yes. The Malta passport will allow you to travel to the U.S.
under the visa waiver program which allows citizens of participating
countries to travel to the United States without a visa for stays
of 90 days or less. Source:
U.S. Government
Please contact us for a detailed cost estimate or confidential
consultation in person, or by phone, Zoom, or email. Our attorneys
are ready to assist you with attaining your investment objectives
and answer any questions you might have about immigrating to Malta.
Zenturo Ltd.
Residency & Citizenship by Investment
Programs Worldwide
394A / 395A, Triq il-Kbira San Guzepp
Santa Venera, SVR 1016
Malta
Phone: +356 9950 5515
WhatsApp: +356 9991 4125
Telegram: +356 9991 4125
WeChat 微信:
ZenturoSupport
Skype: Zenturo Ltd. Support
Service Inquiries:
service@zenturo.com
General Counsel: legal@zenturo.com
Company Registration No.: C-39472
VAT ID: MT-18142026
All of our Malta immigration attorneys are government-licensed
Authorised Registered Mandatories.
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