Maltese dual citizenship: a guide on getting a second passport in Malta

1. Increased global mobility. The Maltese passport ranks 23rd in the Immigrant Invest Passport Index for travel freedom. Maltese citizens can visit 169 countries without a visa, with an electronic travel authorisation, or on a visa-on-arrival basis.

The list of visa-free countries includes all the Schengen Area states, Japan, the UK, and most Caribbean countries. For travel to the US, Canada, and Australia, Malta passport holders need an eTA, which is faster and cheaper to obtain than a regular visa.

Getting a second passport in Malta by naturalisation for exceptional services

2. Opportunity to live in the EU. Malta is a member of the European Union, and Maltese citizens can spend as much time in the country as they want. Besides, Maltese citizens can move to any EU country without needing a residence permit. Depending on the country, they may only need to register with local authorities.

3. Safe haven abroad. With a second passport from Malta, foreigners can build a safe haven for themselves and their families on the island. They can move to Malta at short notice in the event of unexpected political, economic, or other instabilities in their country of origin. Citizens are allowed to enter the country even when the borders are closed to foreigners.

4. Working and doing business in Europe. Citizens of Malta can work and do business in the country without restrictions. They also have the right to be employed in other EU countries without obtaining work permits and to set up businesses there, accessing the European single market.

5. High standards of living. In 2023, the Maltese economy ranked 10th in the EU for GDP per capita, with the value being 5% above the EU average, according to Eurostat. At the same time, the price level index in the country is 10,8% below the EU average.

6. Access to European education and healthcare. Malta passport holders can study in Malta or any EU country without applying for a student visa or worrying about falling into the quota set for citizens from third countries. They do not need additional permissions to remain in Malta or another EU country after graduation and to look for a job there.

Maltese citizens receive free examinations and treatment in high-quality clinics and hospitals of the country. With a European Health Insurance Card, an EHIC, they can seek treatment in other EU countries on the same conditions as locals.

7. Right to have dual nationality. Foreigners who obtain a Maltese passport can keep their other citizenships. This allows them to enjoy the benefits provided by all their passports and seek consular assistance from all countries of their citizenship, when necessary.

This rule applies to all citizens, including investors who acquired their Maltese nationality by naturalisation for exceptional services by direct investment.

All possible ways and requirements for obtaining Maltese nationality are regulated by the Maltese Citizenship Act. The right to hold more than one passport was introduced in February 2000 and is stated in Article 22 of the Constitution of Malta.

Becoming a citizen of Malta is possible through the following paths:

• by birth;

• by descent;

• by marriage to a Maltese citizen;

• for special services to the state;

• by naturalisation;

• by naturalisation for exceptional services by direct investment.

The conditions of obtaining citizenship, requirements to applicants, costs, and processing times vary depending on the chosen path. For example, those applying by descent may receive citizenship within several months, while obtaining a passport by naturalisation may take several years.

One cannot plan to obtain citizenship for special services to the state, as it is granted at the discretion of the President of Malta. This path is usually open to sportsmen, scientists, and artists who have made significant contributions in the country’s development.

Eligibility for Maltese citizenship by birth depends on the date and circumstances of birth, as well as the nationality of one’s parents. The following individuals can apply for a Maltese second passport by birth:

• born in Malta before September 21st, 1964, if at least one of their parents was also born in Malta;

• born outside Malta before September 21st, 1964, and both the father and a paternal grandparent were born in Malta, and the individual was still a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies on September 20th, 1964;

• born in Malta between September 21st, 1964, and August 1st, 1989, to a non-Maltese father who did not have diplomatic immunity;

• born outside Malta between September 21st, 1964, and August 1st, 1989, to a father who was a Maltese citizen either by birth, naturalisation, or registration;

• born on or after August 1st, 1989, either in Malta or abroad to at least one Maltese parent.

The processing time of applications for citizenship by birth depends on individual circumstances and can be as short as several months.

Expenses for obtaining a Maltese passport by birth include an application processing fee of €150, an additional fee of €50 paid upon collection of the citizenship certificate, and a €10 fee for the Oath of Allegiance sworn at an office of Community Malta Agency.

Maltese nationality by descent is available to those with family ties to Malta, provided they can prove these connections with documentation.

According to the Maltese Citizenship Act, the following individuals are eligible for citizenship by descent:

• those born before September 21st, 1964, to a mother who was born in Malta and would have become a Maltese citizen but for her death;

• those born outside Malta between September 21st, 1964, and August 1st, 1989, to a Maltese mother who was a Maltese citizen by birth at the time of the applicant’s birth;

• those who are direct descendants of individuals born in Malta of a parent likewise born in Malta.

Foreigners qualifying for a Maltese second passport by descent can submit their applications to any Maltese Representation Overseas. The process of acquiring citizenship can take between five months to two years.

Total expenses include a €150 application fee and a €50 certificate issuance fee.

Maltese dual citizenship by naturalisation is available to foreign nationals who meet following conditions. To qualify, applicants must:

• have resided in Malta for 12 continuous months immediately preceding the application;

• have resided in Malta for an additional four cumulative years within the six years preceding the 12-month period;

• earn legal, regular, and sufficient income in Malta;

• have a clean criminal record;

• prove knowledge of the Maltese or English language, and pass exams on the law and history of Malta;

• have a permanent place of residency in Malta.

Additionally, to complete the application, candidates must have two sponsors to guarantee their good character and suitability for Maltese citizenship. The sponsors must have known the applicant for at least two years, cannot be relatives, and one of the sponsors should hold one of the following professions:

• a member of Parliament;

• a judge;

• a magistrate;

• an advocate;

• a notary public;

• a legal procurator;

• a medical practitioner;

• a public officer;

• a police officer;

• an officer of the Armed Forces of Malta;

• a parish priest.

For application processing, candidates for a Maltese second passport by naturalisation pay a fee of €450. A fee for issuance of a citizenship certificate is €50.

Malta does not offer direct citizenship by investment. Instead, investors can obtain a passport by naturalisation for exceptional services by direct investment. The process begins with acquiring a residence permit, followed by applying for citizenship after 1 or 3 years.

Investment requirements. To qualify for citizenship by naturalisation for exceptional services, investors must meet three mandatory conditions:

• make a non-refundable contribution to the National Development and Social Fund of at least €750,000 if applying after 1 year of residency or €600,000 if applying after 3 years;

• donate €10,000 to a non-governmental organisation;

• buy residential real estate for €700,000+ or rent one for at least €16,000 per year.

Candidates for Malta citizenship by naturalisation for exceptional services by direct investment must also pass a strict Eligibility Test, pay state and administrative fees, and purchase health insurance.

Family inclusion. Family members can obtain dual citizenship in Malta alongside the investor. The main applicant’s spouse, children under 29, parents, and grandparents over 55 qualify, provided they are principally dependent on the investor.

All family members receive the same rights and benefits of holding Malta dual citizenship.

The specific documents required for obtaining a second passport in Malta vary depending on the chosen path.

A general list of documents which have to be submitted by all candidates for Maltese dual nationality is as follows:

• a passport or an ID;

• a passport-size photo;

• an application form and all required state forms;

• a receipt confirming payment of the state fee;

• birth and marriage certificates;

• the Oath of Allegiance.

For obtaining a Maltese passport by birth, descent, or marriage, an applicant also provides documents proving their ties with a citizen of Malta and demonstrating their eligibility for citizenship. Such documents typically include birth and marriage certificates.

When applying for citizenship by naturalisation, one attaches certificates showing a successful completion of language and citizenship tests as well as documents demonstrating compliance with residency requirements.

Foreigners obtaining Maltese passports by naturalisation for exceptional services provide the following documentation:

• international passports;

• evidence of dependencies for family members, such as marriage, civil union, cohabitation, or birth certificates;

• property purchase or rental agreement;

• CV of the principal applicant;

• health insurance;

• bank statements;

• police clearance certificates;

• corporate affiliations, evidence of employment, or source of income;

• military records, if applicable.

US citizens can obtain second citizenship in Malta, as the US law permits holding passports from other countries. Available pathways include birth, descent, marriage, naturalisation, and naturalisation for exceptional service by direct investment.

Obtaining a Maltese second passport as a US citizen offers numerous advantages, such as the ability to travel, live, work, and study in the EU without limitations and need for residence permits. Malta citizenship also allows Americans to get access to EU-level healthcare and education.

While Malta offers tax benefits, US citizens must remain aware of their tax obligations to the United States. The US taxes its citizens on worldwide income, regardless of where they live.

1. Malta introduced dual citizenship in February 2000, allowing its citizens to hold foreign nationality alongside Maltese citizenship.

2. There are several pathways to obtaining a second passport in Malta, including birth, descent, marriage, special services to the state, and naturalisation.

3. High-net-worth individuals can acquire Maltese citizenship by naturalisation for exceptional services by direct investment. This pathway requires a significant financial contribution to Malta’s economy. Depending on the investment amount, citizenship can be obtained within one to three years.

4. Among the key benefits of Maltese citizenship are increased global mobility, the right to live and work in any EU country, and access to European education and healthcare.