How to get Maltese nationality: all ways in details

Malta nationality can be acquired by birth, registration or naturalisation. There is also a possibility to become a Maltese citizen by naturalisation for exceptional services by direct investment.

How to get Malta citizenship for exceptional services by direct investment

By birth. If a person was born before September 21st, 1964, they should be born in Malta to get Malta citizenship. One of their parents should be of Maltese nationality.

If a person was born abroad, they must have a Maltese father and a Maltese paternal grandparent born in Malta to get Malta nationality.

If a person was born after September 21st, 1964 and before August 1st, 1989, they need to have a Maltese father or be born in Malta to get Malta citizenship.

Starting August 1st, 1989, every person born in Malta or from a Maltese parent automatically becomes a citizen of Malta.

The list of necessary documents for each of the cases above includes:

• a birth certificate;

• a father’s birth certificate;

• a parents’ marriage certificate;

• an ID;

• an international passport;

• a marriage certificate if a spouse or a widower of a Maltese citizen applies.

By registration. This way to obtain Malta citizenship refers to marriage, widowhood, children of Maltese females, and former citizens.

If a person is married to a Maltese citizen for at least 5 years, they can apply for Malta nationality.

A widow or a widower can apply for Malta citizenship if a marriage has lasted for at least 5 years.

If a marriage lasted less because of the death of a spouse, it should be 5 years between the wedding and the application date.

If a child was born before September 21st, 1964 to a mother also born in Malta, then a child can get Maltese nationality by registration.

If a child was born between September 21st, 1964 and August 1st, 1989 to a Maltese mother who was born outside of Malta, they are also eligible for Malta nationality.

A former citizen of Malta can also become a Maltese citizen if they were a citizen of Malta by registration or naturalisation before. Direct descendants, second or subsequent generations born abroad to parents born in Malta can obtain Malta’s nationality as well.

The list of documents required for Malta nationality application depends on the case. Typically, an applicant should provide the following:

• a birth certificate with parents’ names;

• a recent passport-sized photo of the applicant;

• an ID, passport, or residence card of the applicant;

• a marriage certificate registered in Malta.

The country can request additional documents depending on the case. An applicant should submit all the necessary documents and a form. The form depends on the applicant’s needs. An investor submits documents to the Community Malta Agency.

The application fee is €150, and an extra of €50 is paid if the application is approved.

By naturalisation. A person can obtain Malta citizenship if they meet these criteria:

• over 18 years old — a parent can apply on behalf of a minor;

• foreigner or a person without citizenship;

• has lived in Malta — permanently for at least 1 year and for 4 years — during the last 6 years prior to the application;

• to be of good character, which is proved by sponsors;

• has knowledge of Maltese or English good enough for communicating with the locals and the authorities.

Before applying, one needs to get a residence certificate from the Community Malta Agency. They also need to have 2 sponsors vouching for them who are not related, who are Malta citizens not by naturalisation and over 18 years old.

The first sponsor should be of a certain profession:

• a member of the Maltese Parliament;

• a judge;

• a magistrate;

• an advocate;

• a notary public;

• a legal procurator;

• a medical practitioner;

• a public officer not below the rank of principal;

• a police officer not below the rank of the inspector;

• an officer of the Armed Forces of Malta not below the rank of captain;

• a parish priest.

The application fee is €450 and an extra €50 if it was approved.

By investment. An opportunity to get Malta nationality by investment is officially called Malta citizenship by naturalisation for exceptional services by direct investment.

Applicant’s investment goes to the National Development and Social Fund. €600,000 is the sum required if an investor has resided in Malta for 3 years prior to the application, and €750,000 — if they have lived in Malta for 1 year prior to the application.

The additional sum of €10,000 goes to a non-government organisation in Malta.

1. Visa-free entry to over 180 countries, including the USA, Canada, Australia, Japan, and the UK. Malta passport allows travel for both business and leisure purposes. It also allows individuals to explore new opportunities and broaden their horizons without visa applications or tourist visa restrictions.

2. Ability to permanently reside, study, work, and conduct business within the EU. Holders of Malta citizenship can reside in Malta or any EU member state, pursue higher education in renowned European institutions, seek employment, or start a business anywhere within the EU’s market.

3. Malta is comfortable to live in. The country enjoys a Mediterranean climate. English is the second official language. Malta has high-quality healthcare: the country has become the 9th in the ranking of countries with the best medical system, according to the medical journal Lancet.

4. Dual citizenship. Individuals can obtain Malta citizenship without giving up their first passport.

5. Passports for all family members, including parents, grandparents, and children under 29 years old. This benefit is of interest for families who wish to secure the advantages of living in a safe and prosperous country for themselves and future generations.

Disadvantages of Malta’s passport. You will have to wait — depending on the investment amount, it takes 1 to 3 years to get a Maltese passport.

Expenses can be high: a family of 4 will have to spend around €1,000,000, which does not include the property’s value.

Moreover, the investor does not get interest or a refund of the investment. You can return investments in real estate — property purchased can be sold after 5 years.

Malta citizenship is obtained by naturalisation. Firstly, an investor receives a residence permit and maintains the status for one year or three years. Then, they pass a thorough Due Diligence and a police clearance check. After that, it is allowed to invest and apply for citizenship.

The investment goes to the National Development and Social Fund of Malta:

• €600,000 if you have resided in Malta 3 years prior to the application;

• €750,000 if you have resided in Malta 1 year prior to the application.

Additionally, an investor should donate €10,000 to a non-government organisation in the field of philanthropy, culture, sport, science, animal welfare, or artistry.

An investor should buy or rent a residential property in Malta to get a passport. The minimum value for purchasing property is €700,000. The minimum annual sum for rent is €16,000 — it should be maintained for at least 5 years from obtaining citizenship.

The investor does not get interest or a refund of the investment. Only investment in property can be returned after 5 years.

Examples of properties in Malta

Malta, Kalkara

€300,000 — €1,900,000

Apartments in a large-scale residential project on the first coastline

71 m² — 310 m²

1—3

1—3

Malta, Sliema

€920,000 — €1,300,000

Apartments in a new residential high-rise project near the sea

176 m² — 211 m²

2—3

2

Malta, Valletta

€1,510,000 — €3,370,000

Modern apartments not far from sea in Valetta

123 m² — 281 m²

1—3

1—3

Dependent family members and the main applicant qualify for a Malta passport by investment.

Spouse. A spouse in an official marriage can participate in the program. Same-sex marriage is no exception. A partner with a similar or the same status such as civil union, domestic partnership, and common law marriage can also apply as long as the status can be proved.

Children. Children under 18 years old, unmarried children under 29 years old who are financially dependent on the main applicant, and children of any age with a disability can apply for citizenship together with the main applicant. Children from previous marriages and adopted children also qualify.

Parents. Parents, grandparents, and in-laws can participate if they are 55 or older and financially dependent on the main applicant.

An investor should add up to €50,000 of investment to The National Development and Social Fund per family member.

For example, if the investor wants citizenship for themselves, their spouse, and two children in 3 years, the total amount of investments is €750,000.

All applicants should meet these requirements:

• they should have no criminal records that have led to imprisonment for more than 1 year, excluding crimes of negligence;

• they cannot be under any international sanctions;

• they cannot be prosecuted before the International Criminal Court regardless of the verdict;

• they cannot have visa denials for countries that have a visa waiver regime with Malta.

The main applicant should confirm that the money for the investment was sourced legally.

The exclusion for participation is citizens, residents, or people having close connections with several countries. These countries are Afghanistan, Iran, the Democratic Republic of Congo, North Korea, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen.

Citizens from countries under a US travel ban also cannot apply.

It is allowed to have dual citizenship in Malta.

Individual cost calculation for Maltese citizenship

Get the cost calculation

1. One can become a Maltese citizen by birth, registration, or naturalisation. Investors can apply for Malta citizenship for exceptional services by direct investment — the minimum investment is €690,000.

2. An investor gets a residence permit and maintains the status for 1 or 3 years. After passing a thorough Due Diligence and police clearance check, they are allowed to apply for citizenship.

3. The investment goes to the National Development and Social Fund of Malta: €600,000 if the investor has resided in Malta 3 years and €750,000 if 1 year. An investor should also buy or rent a residential property in Malta. Additionally, an investor donates €10,000 to a Maltese non-government organisation.

4. Dependent family members such as a spouse, children under 29, and parents of 55 or older qualify for Malta citizenship for exceptional services by direct investment. An investor should add up to €50,000 per family member.

5. Malta’s passport provides multiple benefits. Maltese citizens can reside in any EU member state and travel visa-free to over 180 countries without giving up their first passport.