Malta

A Malta passport grants the holder the right to move to Malta, reside long-term in any other EU country, and travel visa-free to 169 countries. The Maltese legislation allows applying for citizenship by naturalisation for exceptional services by direct investment. This process significantly reduces the waiting period for a passport, allowing applicants to qualify in just 1 or 3 years instead of the standard five years of residence. Let’s examine the benefits and drawbacks to determine how a Malta passport aligns with investment and immigration goals.

Julia Loko

More than 20 local and international banks are operating in Malta. Foreigners with Malta residence permits can open bank accounts in any of them: to do it, they should usually provide an ID, proof of an address in the country and other documents. The requirements, costs and application processing time depends on the bank itself.

Vladlena Baranova

French citizens can travel without visas to 188 countries and freely visit the countries in the Schengen area, the USA, Canada, Australia and Japan. France is a member of the European Union. With a French passport, you can work, do business, enroll in a school or university of any country in the European Union, Norway, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Iceland.

Elena Ruda

Is it possible to obtain multiple citizenships? The answer is yes. A person can be a citizen of two or even more countries.  However, some countries do not allow dual citizenship, and in such cases, the original passport may be revoked. For instance, Austria requires individuals to renounce their previous citizenships when acquiring Austrian nationality. Keep reading to explore the conditions and potential challenges of holding multiple citizenships.

Vladlena Baranova

Germany citizenship allows the holder to live in Europe, visit 191 countries without a visa, access high-quality medicine and a prestigious education. A German passport can not be obtained by investment but only by naturalization, birth, adoption, marriage or immigration.

Elena Ruda

Finnish citizenship allows you to travel visa-free to 189 countries throughout the world, live and work in the EU, and take advantage of a free education system, as well as a high quality medical system. We discuss the conditions that need to be met to get a Finnish passport, the benefits of Finish citizenship, and whether you can remain a citizen of another country at the same time.

Elena Ruda

Securing a residence permit in Europe no longer demands years of waiting, rigid job contracts, or family sponsorship. For those ready to invest, Golden Visa programs open a faster, more flexible route to EU residency — without compromising business or lifestyle. Latvia, Greece, and Italy lead the way with some of the fastest investment routes in the EU, granting residence permits in as little as 3—4 months.

Albert Ioffe

Every fifth resident in Malta is a foreigner. Expats love this country for a good reason — it boasts a mild climate, beautiful beaches, picturesque cities and an expat-friendly environment.  Above all that, it’s a relatively affordable place to live — for a comfortable life there, one needs fewer funds than for life in Germany, France, or Austria.  Learn more about the country, its history, the quality of life in Malta, and prices for everyday life.

Julia Loko

The European Union is not the same as the Schengen Area: some EU countries are not part of the Schengen Area, and vice versa.   These differences can restrict visa-free travel for second passport holders, and they need to be considered when selecting the European country where you want to live.  Learn which countries are visa-free for EU residents.

Vladlena Baranova

Third-country nationals can move to the EU after getting residency. A residence permit allows one to move to the country that granted the status, study there, get treatment, use reliable banking services, and in most cases — travel across the Schengen Area visa-free. Participating in state residency-by-investment programs is the most convenient way to become an EU resident. One can obtain not only status but also acquire profitable assets.

Vladlena Baranova

With a Czech passport, you do not need a visa to enter 185 countries. To travel to the US or Canada, citizens only need to obtain an eTA. The Czech Republic is a member of the European Union, and therefore its citizens enjoy benefits and privileges in other countries of this association. We tell you how to get a Czech passport, what benefits applicants receive if approved, and whether they can retain citizenship of other countries.

Elena Ruda

Citizens of Argentina have the 12th strongest passport in the world and get to travel to 163 countries without visas, including the UK and the EU states. Foreigners may obtain Argentina citizenship by naturalisation, birth, descent, and marriage. There is no need to renounce the first citizenship.

Elena Ruda

Golden Visas are one the fastest ways for wealthy investors to become residents of a foreign country, and some options are absolute bargains. For example, it is possible to obtain residency in the EU by investing €50,000. In this article, we name the cheapest options to get a Golden Visa.

Albert Ioffe

Buying property in another country allows investors to secure their funds, have a stable passive income, make a profit, and sometimes even obtain residency or citizenship in the country. Explore the easiest countries to buy property as a foreigner, where strong economies, growth potential, and a high quality of life offer fantastic opportunities.

Elena Ruda

Malta Permanent Residence Program allows wealthy foreigners to obtain a golden visa by investment. Applications are considered within 6 months. Travelling around the Schengen Area, working, studying, and living in Malta with no limits is not a complete list of benefits. However, there are some disadvantages of the Malta residency obtainment process.

Julia Loko

A residence permit in an EU country allows visa-free travel across 29 Schengen states. It also provides access to high-quality education and healthcare. To get EU residency, an applicant must meet the requirements set by the migration policy of the chosen country. Here is an overview of the grounds for obtaining a residence permit in Europe, the required documents, and the costs involved.

Albert Ioffe

There are 256 countries in the world, but when choosing one for second citizenship, the decision comes down to concrete benefits.  A strong passport can provide visa-free access to key regions, reduce tax burdens, and unlock new business and investment opportunities.  A passport’s strength can be measured in different ways, depending on individual goals, such as ease of relocation, tax advantages, or dual citizenship policies. Still, the number of visa-free destinations remains the most widely used benchmark.

Albert Ioffe

The PEP status, or the one of a politically exposed person, is associated with civil servants and senior executives at the national or international level. When obtaining a second citizenship, politically exposed persons undergo a stricter Due Diligence check than other applicants. The risk of rejection remains high even in the case of an ideal reputation and no criminal record. Learn how a politically exposed person can pass Due Diligence and get a second passport by investment.

Vladlena Baranova

In Malta, students are trained by one of the oldest universities in Europe. It is also included in the top 1,000 universities in the world according to the QS World University Ranking. At the same time, the cost of education for foreign students is two times lower than in UK universities.

Julia Loko

Education in Maltese schools is regulated by the state: educational institutions receive accreditation from the Ministry for Education. Therefore, Maltese high school diplomas are accepted not only on the island, but also in other countries of the European Union.

Julia Loko

Maltese legislation allows non-EU citizens to buy and rent real estate in the country. Foreign investors in Maltese property can obtain temporary or permanent residency. Having rented or purchased housing in Malta is also a prerequisite for getting citizenship by naturalisation for exceptional services by direct investment. Discover the benefits of being a property owner in Malta and explore the specifics of the Maltese real estate market.

Igor Buglo

The Malta Permanent Residence Programme is an exclusive opportunity for non-EU nationals, including Nigerians, to acquire a permanent residence permit in Malta and enjoy visa-free travel in the Schengen area of Europe for 90 days in 180. In this article, we will discuss the benefits of Malta permanent residency for Nigerian citizens, the eligibility criteria, the timeline and process, and what to expect from start to finish.

Lyle Julien

EU citizenship by descent can be granted based on proof that your ancestors were citizens of an EU country.  In this article, we discuss who and in which EU countries can obtain citizenship by descent.

Vladlena Baranova

Obtaining citizenship is divided into legal and "working" ways. Fraudsters offer to buy a passport in violation of the laws of several states at once. This is fraught with trouble from large fines and a ban on entry into the EU countries to criminal liability and compromising evidence, which is at their disposal. We will tell you how to get a passport without consequences and how not to accidentally entrust your money and reputation to scammers.

Vladlena Baranova

With over 35 million Indians living abroad, India ranks third globally for its expatriate population. Indians migrate for various reasons, including better job prospects, quality education, and improved living standards. Let’s consider countries with developed economies, good opportunities for entrepreneurship or making a career, and quality education and healthcare. Some of them are easier for Indians to immigrate to because of residency by investment programs.

Lyle Julien

Wealthy Americans have been applying for citizenship by investment more and more often, according to the statistics. They do this mainly to future-proof their lives in an era of high inflation and political unrest. One of the countries of choice for US citizens is Malta, which offers an opportunity to acquire citizenship for exceptional services by direct investment. Explore how to get a Maltese passport as an American investor.

Julia Loko

Foreigners are invited to obtain citizenship by investment in North Macedonia for a minimal contribution of €200,000. While, in theory, it could be an excellent option for investors to secure a passport in an EU candidate member state, there is a big question if that option is actually valid. Since 2021, when it was introduced, no single investor obtained a passport with a contribution. Another way to invest is to contribute €400,000 to developing a new business in North Macedonia and create at least 10 jobs. Learn more about the CBI program terms and secure alternatives.

Elena Ruda

Indians in Malta are the most popular non-EU nationality. They are attracted to the country by its high standard of living, developed economy, and comfortable climate. Known for its stunning natural beauty, Malta boasts crystal-clear turquoise waters, picturesque cliffs, and sandy beaches. There are three ways to get Malta citizenship from India. One of them, by naturalisation for exceptional services by direct investment, requires a minimum investment of €610,000. In this article, learn how to get Malta citizenship for Indian citizens.

Lyle Julien

Roughly 450,000 Americans have retired abroad, according to the USA Social Security Administration. 38% of them choose Europe as their destination. This is unsurprising, as most countries in the top 27 belong to the EU. Let’s explore why US citizens retire abroad and what the best destinations for retirement are.

Alevtina Kalmuk

Buying real estate is one of the ways to legally obtain residency or citizenship in another country. All it takes is purchasing an apartment, house, or commercial property that meets the country’s requirements. In Greece, for example, buying a property for renovation worth at least €250,000 qualifies an investor for residency. In Türkiye, investing at least $400,000 in real estate makes one eligible for citizenship. Here is where investors buy property, whether they can rent it out, and how to keep residency when selling property.

Elena Kozyreva

Holding multiple citizenships provides a person with a number of benefits, such as freedom of travel, the ability to choose the more advanced healthcare system, and wider educational opportunities. However, there are some cons to holding two passports, too.

Vladlena Baranova

Countries issuing citizenship by investment do not grant it automatically: they need to check on the applicant to ensure they are not likely to bring trouble into the country, even if they can fulfil the conditions for investment. The main points of interest are usually the sufficiency and legality of income, criminal record, and civil status. All of the above must be confirmed by specific documents. Here is the list of documents needed for citizenship application.

Vladlena Baranova

Digital nomads have an appealing lifestyle with perks such as freedom of travel, flexibility, and exploring new cultures on the way.  At the same time, digital nomads face the complexity of paying taxes in several countries and the possibility of double taxation. In this article, we explore all the aspects of tax regimes, rates, and available benefits.

Albert Ioffe

The first cryptocurrency emerged in 2009, and as this market is young, governments are still developing rules for handling crypto. While there are countries that ban cryptocurrency or impose taxes on it, there are countries with no crypto taxes. The list of the most crypto-friendly countries as of December 2023 includes Portugal, Malta, the UAE, Germany, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, El Salvadore, Georgia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Puerto Rico, Switzerland, the British Virgin Islands, and Gibraltar.

Albert Ioffe

After obtaining second citizenship, many practical questions arise. These include how to travel with two passports, which one to use, to whom, and what to show when crossing the border.  The answers can be confusing. Documents must be shown several times: in the home country at the airline counter, at passport control, and again after arrival in another country. Learn how to cross the border with two passports in 2025.

Vladlena Baranova

The Schengen Area is a zone that covers the majority of the European countries. Within this zone, there is no border control. Although most of the Schengen countries also belong to the European Union, these two areas are not the same. We explain how the Schengen area differs from the EU, how it functions and which countries it includes.

Vladlena Baranova

If a foreigner officially lives in the country for a long time, they can become its citizen. For example, you can come to Australia on a student visa and apply for citizenship after four years. What conditions must be met in order to become a naturalized citizen, and how to go through the path of integration into a new society in the easiest way — learn from the examples of different countries.

Vladlena Baranova

Choosing between residency in Greece, Portugal, or Malta isn’t just about the size of your investment. From tax regimes and citizenship timelines to permit types, lifestyle, and living costs — each Golden Visa programme offers a distinct set of advantages. This article provides a detailed comparison of the three EU residency options, helping you determine which one best matches your investment strategy, family needs, and long-term lifestyle goals.

Albert Ioffe

Residence and domicile are often confused, yet they carry distinct meanings. In short, the difference lies in permanence and intent. Residence typically involves a temporary stay, while domicile refers to a permanent home. Domicile and residency concepts influence tax obligations, legal rights, and long-term commitments. In this article, we unpack these crucial distinctions and highlight seven countries where you can obtain non-dom status.

Vladlena Baranova

Europe is an attractive destination for many foreigners, including Americans, seeking residence permits. The region offers a high quality of life, often at a more affordable cost than the US.  In some countries, wealthy Americans can take advantage of fast and easy pathways to temporary and permanent residency. Entrepreneurs may also enjoy tax optimizations and the opportunity to expand their business into the unified EU market. In this article, we explore 11 European countries with the best residence permits for US nationals.

Albert Ioffe

Malta has long appealed to British citizens — and not just for the sunshine. As a former British colony, the island shares deep-rooted cultural, legal, and linguistic ties with the UK. English is an official language, driving is on the left, and many aspects of daily life feel comfortably familiar to Brits. In recent years, that appeal has only grown. Nearly 10% of Malta’s foreign population are UK nationals, and the number keeps rising. One of the main reasons is Brexit: since leaving the EU, many British citizens have started looking for ways to regain access to European rights, including the freedom to live, work, and travel across the EU. This guide explores why so many UK nationals are choosing Malta, and what it takes to obtain citizenship.

Julia Loko

Expensive watches lose 3.6% in value each year, totaling a 16.3% drop over 12 years — only a few brands, like Rolex, tend to gain value. Suppose an investor chooses to buy a villa in Greece and gets a Golden Visa. In 12 years, they’ll likely become a Greek citizen — gaining freedom of movement that no luxury item can match. If the market stays stable, Greek property prices could grow 1.5—2x in these 12 years — or up to 2.5x in hotspots like central Athens or coastal areas. In this article, we will compare luxury assets with residency and citizenship by investment programmes to determine which truly endures.

Elena Ruda

In 2023, Malta ranked 3rd among countries with the largest foreign population, following Spain and Luxembourg. That year, 2,511 foreigners became Maltese citizens, according to Malta Independent. Malta attracts expats worldwide with its Mediterranean lifestyle, affordable cost of living, favorable tax regime, high safety, and diverse residency options. Learn why Malta is especially appealing to US citizens, and all about immigration opportunities.

Julia Loko

Half of our clients are interested in starting a business abroad and choosing a proper tax jurisdiction for the company they are about to form. The Maltese tax system is appealing to investors. The conditions for entrepreneurs in Malta are among the most favourable in Europe and include numerous benefits to businesses. We discuss the advantages of living and doing business in Malta.

Julia Loko

Over 4 million Canadians live abroad, drawn by the promise of a lower cost of living, improved quality of life, or a change of scenery. While many choose the US, UK, and Australia, numerous other destinations offer enticing benefits such as tax incentives, warmer climates, and better work-life balance. Discover why and where Canadians are relocating, along with the residency options available to them.

Alevtina Kalmuk

11 countries — including Malta, Vanuatu, and the UAE — do not levy taxes on real estate ownership. Some others, such as the Netherlands and St Kitts and Nevis, offer low property tax rates of no more than 0.5%. This article explores real estate taxation in 21 countries, offering a comprehensive guide to the taxes associated with owning property abroad.

Albert Ioffe

In Malta, investors can apply for citizenship or a permanent residence permit. These are two different procedures with their own residency requirements. In both cases, the investor’s family members can participate and obtain the status.  If the investor and their family provide reliable background information and documents, they can get Maltese passports in one year and permanent residency in six months.  Learn how to apply for a Malta passport or permanent residency and what the expenses are.

Julia Loko

7 out of 10 billionaires have second passports. However, this privilege is not only available to the super-rich. An increasing number of entrepreneurs, investors, and top managers are choosing second citizenship to protect themselves, their capital, and their families. For example, restaurateurs obtain second passports to safeguard their businesses from sanctions. Discover why second citizenship is a tool for solving the most complex problems, not just a whim or luxury.

Albert Ioffe