Updated on July 15, 2025
Malta Citizenship
Living in the European Union and travelling around the world
€690,000+
Investment amount
1 or 3 years
Obtaining period
5 years
Real estate investment return
Malta does not grant citizenship by investment directly but wealthy foreigners may apply for Malta citizenship for exceptional services by direct investment.
The minimum investment is €690,000. It includes meeting three mandatory conditions:
Contribute at least €600,000 to the National Development and Social Fund.
Rent for €16,000+ per year or purchase for €700,000+ a residential property in Malta.
Donate at least €10,000 to a Maltese non-government organisation.
Citizenship for exceptional services is acquired by naturalisation. First, investors get Malta residency and maintain it for 1 or 3 years; only then may they apply for a passport.
The duration of residency required for citizenship is determined by the contribution amount: €600,000 equals 3-year residency, while €750,000 reduces it to 1 year.
Foreigners can become Maltese citizens if they pass a strict Due Diligence check. The terms and requirements for applicants are regulated by the Maltese Citizenship Act, amended in November 2020.
Benefits of Maltese citizenship
1
Moving to the EU at any time
Malta, an EU member state, allows its citizens unrestricted entry and the freedom to reside indefinitely on the island.
Citizens have the right to seek employment, establish a business, or enrol in educational programs without the need for additional permits.
Malta, an EU member state, allows its citizens unrestricted entry and the freedom to reside indefinitely on the island.
Citizens have the right to seek employment, establish a business, or enrol in educational programs without the need for additional permits.
2
Visa-free travel to the USA, the UK, and Canada
Maltese citizens can travel to 169 countries visa-free. The list includes the Schengen countries, the USA, the UK, Canada, Japan, Singapore, and Hong Kong
Maltese citizens can travel to 169 countries visa-free. The list includes the Schengen countries, the USA, the UK, Canada, Japan, Singapore, and Hong Kong
3
Residing in Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein
Maltese citizens can live in any Schengen country, including those not part of the European Union. There are no restrictions on entry or stay in the region’s countries.
Maltese citizens can live in any Schengen country, including those not part of the European Union. There are no restrictions on entry or stay in the region’s countries.
4
High-quality healthcare
Malta covers its citizens by national health insurance, granting free healthcare in public facilities. Investors and their family members can also access high-quality private clinics in Malta and throughout the EU without requiring additional permits.
Malta covers its citizens by national health insurance, granting free healthcare in public facilities. Investors and their family members can also access high-quality private clinics in Malta and throughout the EU without requiring additional permits.
5
Education for children
Maltese passport holders can study at both public and private educational institutions in Malta, where the primary language of instruction is English.
The diplomas issued by Maltese institutions are recognised across the EU, the UK, and the USA.
Maltese passport holders can study at both public and private educational institutions in Malta, where the primary language of instruction is English.
The diplomas issued by Maltese institutions are recognised across the EU, the UK, and the USA.
6
International business
Maltese citizens can open a company in any EU country. This opportunity helps to expand a business to the international market and operate more effectively.
Maltese citizens can open a company in any EU country. This opportunity helps to expand a business to the international market and operate more effectively.
7
Retaining your first citizenship
Malta allows dual citizenship, meaning investors don’t have to give up their first passports to become Maltese citizens. The rule applies to cases where the investor’s origin country allows having multiple citizenships as well.
Malta allows dual citizenship, meaning investors don’t have to give up their first passports to become Maltese citizens. The rule applies to cases where the investor’s origin country allows having multiple citizenships as well.

Guide to obtaining Malta citizenship
Step-by-step procedure
Requirements for applicants
Required documents
Answers to frequently asked questions
Who can get Malta citizenship?
Expenses for obtaining Malta citizenship
Investors fulfil three obligatory investment conditions:
Contribute to the National Development and Social Fund, NDSF.
Donate to a non-governmental organisation.
Buy or rent residential real estate in Malta.
If the investor contributes €600,000 to the NDSF, they may apply for citizenship after 3 years of residency. The contribution of €750,000 allows 1 year of residency. An additional €50,000 is added per family member included in the citizenship application, irrespective of the chosen residency term.
1 option
Rent of accommodation — €690,000+
The first step for an investor is to get a residence permit. That requires having a residential address in Malta, which can be rented for 1 or 3 years.
Applying for citizenship requires a new rental agreement for at least €16,000 per year. The rental term is at least 5 years.
2 option
Purchase of accommodation — €1,380,000+
Investors buy real estate worth at least €700,000.
The ownership period is 5 years, starting with obtaining citizenship. After that, the property can be sold, and the money returned.
Expenses for a family of 4
The spouses and two children aged 9 and 17

Individual cost calculation for Malta citizenship
Get an individual calculation for your family with all associated costs and government fees
Real estate for Malta citizenship
Documents required to apply for Malta citizenship
Lawyers prepare three packages of documents: to get a residence permit, pass the Eligibility Assessment, and apply for citizenship.
All documents are translated into English and apostilled.
Why is the agent's licence important?
The Maltese Citizenship Act does not allow foreigners to apply for citizenship for exceptional services directly. Only official representatives licensed by the Government of Malta can apply on behalf of their clients.
Any application submitted by an unlicensed agent is rejected, resulting in the applicant losing time and money.
Step-by-step procedure for obtaining Malta citizenship
Depending on the investment amount, citizenship can be obtained in 1 or 3 years. In both cases, the procedure is similar.
1 day
Preliminary Due Diligence
Due Diligence is a crucial step in applying for Malta citizenship. It determines whether the Maltese authorities will approve the investor’s application.
Immigrant Invest’s certified Anti Money Laundering Officer examines the investor’s documents and identifies possible risks that could result in the application being rejected.
Immigrant Invest has its own Compliance Department. We check the applicant confidentially against international legal and business information databases.
If any issues may cause the rejection of the investor’s application, we offer other paths to a second citizenship.
Pass a quick test and learn the nuances that can prevent you from obtaining a second citizenship.
Up to 2 weeks
Clearance
The initial clearance for citizenship involves a screening process conducted by the Community Malta Agency for all applicants aged 12 and older. During this phase, Maltese authorities carry out essential background checks, including searches through the Europol and Interpol databases.
2+ weeks
Preparation of documents
The investor collects the required documents according to a list provided by Immigrant Invest.
The company’s lawyers fill out the government forms and prepare the documents for submission of the residency application.
2+ weeks
Renting a property in Malta
The investor rents property in Malta in order to begin the residency process as early as possible.
If the client wishes to purchase property, it may be done following the approval of the application.
1+ months
Obtaining a residence permit
Once Immigrant Invest obtains clearance results, the application process for a residence permit begins.
If the main applicant applies under the 12-month route and includes minors aged 16 or older in the naturalisation application, it is recommended to secure residence permits for these minors as well.
For the 36-month route, it is advisable for minors aged 15 and older to obtain residence permits alongside the main applicant.
4+ months
Eligibility Assessment
The Eligibility Assessment application must be filed within 12 months of receiving the residence permit cards, involving all applicants.
Immigrant Invest lawyers help with document preparation, translation, and certification in Malta, eliminating the need for an apostille or other legalisation. Although documents certified in the applicant's home country must be notarized and apostilled.
The Community Malta Agency's Due Diligence takes between 120 to 150 days, depending on their workload and the thoroughness of the documents prepared by a licensed agent.
After the Eligibility Assessment
Approval in Principle
The Minister responsible for citizenship will decide whether to approve or reject the application.
If approved, the investor may apply for citizenship either 1 or 3 years after obtaining a residence permit in Malta, depending on the chosen route.
1 or 3 years after the residence permit
Applying for citizenship
To apply for citizenship, applicants must submit updated documents and certificates.
They must also confirm whether there have been any significant changes in their personal circumstances, such as serious illness.
2—4 weeks
Final approval by the Minister
The decision is sent as a Letter of Approval and opens up the opportunity to get citizenship.
Up to 4 months
Fulfillment of the investment condition
The investment requirements must be fulfilled within 4 months of receiving the Minister's written approval, and the main applicant must demonstrate a connection to Malta.
Once all investment-related documents are submitted, the Agency performs updated checks. If no issues are found and the documentation is complete and accurate, an invitation to swear allegiance will be issued.
Up to 2 months
Oath and submission of biometrics
The oath of allegiance must be taken in Malta within 6 months of receiving the Minister's final approval. All applicants over 18 must personally visit the Agency’s office in Malta to take the oath.
After the oath, biometrics are processed at the passport office, except for children under 6, who are exempt from both biometrics and the requirement to travel to Malta.
4 business days
Getting a passport in Malta
Passports are available for collection at Malta’s Passport Department 4 business days after submitting biometrics.
For the first 5 years following naturalisation, Immigrant Invest will submit annual reports to the Agency confirming the client’s compliance with investment obligations, starting one year after acquiring citizenship.
Our clients’ reviews
All reviewsClients’ names and photos have been changed to comply with a non-disclosure agreement.
Case studies
Citizenship and Immigrant Invest stay with you
The long-awaited moment has arrived: you are a Maltese citizen now. After receiving their second passports, most clients turn to us for additional services. See how we continue to help our clients.
Schedule a meeting
Let's discuss the details
Schedule a meeting at one of the offices or online. A lawyer will analyze the situation, calculate the cost and help you find a solution based on your goals.
Prefer messengers?
Frequently asked questions
Only investments related to buying real estate can be returned. Property purchased for €700,000+ can be sold for a profit after 5 years, as real estate in Malta is constantly increasing in value.
All family members are applied to pass the Eligibility Assessment. Learn more about Due Diligence.
No one can guarantee that your application for Malta citizenship will be accepted. Moreover, if a company claims that the guarantee is 100%, you probably deal with scammers. Learn about how to avoid scammers when obtaining second citizenship.
The government authorities decide to grant Malta citizenship. The decision is preceded by an in-depth check of the applicants' background and the legality of their income sources.
Immigrant Invest conducts an internal background check to determine the chances of obtaining citizenship. The check occurs at the first stage of our collaboration, even before signing a Service Agreement with a client. The lawyers also prepare a list of documents to minimise the probability of the application rejection.
It is impossible to apply for Malta citizenship without a licensed agent; the requirement is stated by the Maltese Citizenship Act.
Immigrant Invest is a licensed agent authorised to assist applicants in preparing and submitting documents.
The minimum required investment is €690,000. The sum includes non-refundable contributions to the National Development and Social Fund and a non-governmental organisation and the cost of renting real estate.
The tenant usually covers utility bills. The average utility expenses in Malta are €60—170 for an apartment of 85 square metres, including electricity, water, and garbage collection.
Yes, you can. There are six main paths to Malta citizenship:
Standard naturalisation. In this case, a foreigner must live in Malta permanently for at least 5 years. In addition, an applicant for citizenship must pass exams in the Maltese or English language and the country’s history and law. The list of required documents includes written confirmation that several Maltese citizens vouch for the applicant.
Marriage to a Maltese citizen. Citizenship application becomes available after 5 years of marriage. During this time, spouses don’t have to live in Malta permanently.
Family reunification is suitable for those who have close relatives among Maltese citizens. Parents, grandparents, and siblings count.
Maltese ancestry must be proven with documents. In this case, citizenship is granted without getting a residence permit, passing exams and residing in the country before application.
Political asylum or refugee status. Refugees must prove that their life is in danger or they are discriminated against in their country of origin. Citizenship can be obtained after 6 years of living in Malta.
Exceptional services. In this case, the passport is granted by the Maltese President personally to scientists, artists, sportsmen, businessmen, and politicians. There are no fixed criteria for this category.
Investors must take the following steps immediately after their citizenship application is approved:
Rent or buy a residential property in Malta.
Get an architect’s report stating the market value of the rented or purchased property.
Get or renew health insurance before obtaining a passport.
Sign an Annual Compliance Form during the first 5 years of citizenship. The form confirms compliance with the conditions attached to their certificate of naturalisation.
Yes, newborn children of Maltese citizens are also entitled to this status.
To get a Malta passport for a child, parents must apply for registration in the Public Registry. You’ll need to submit the child’s original birth certificate with an apostille and the marriage certificate.
Then, you may apply for a passport for the child in a consulate or visit Malta and submit documents there. Both parents must be present. One of them may apply themselves if only they have been given a permit by another parent in the presence of the consul.
Malta citizenship by naturalisation for exceptional services by direct investment requires residency for 1 or 3 years.
The procedure requires additional time to get a clearance, a residence permit and final approval, to fulfil the investment conditions and to receive passports. Usually, these steps take several months.
Yes, an applicant must visit Malta to get the status.
Investors get Malta citizenship by naturalisation, which means they must live in the country for a decent time with a residence permit. Also, applicants must pass some procedures in person, such as applying for residency, submitting biometrics, taking the Oath of Allegiance and receiving passports.
Yes, Malta allows its citizens to have multiple citizenships. A person may be required to choose one citizenship only if it’s the rule in another country.
170 countries are visa-free for Maltese citizens
Asia
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Bhutan
Brunei
Cambodia
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Israel
Japan
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Lebanon
Malaysia
Maldives
Mongolia
Myanmar (Burma)
Nepal
Oman
Pakistan
Philippines
Qatar
Saudi Arabia
Singapore
South Korea
Sri Lanka
Tajikistan
Thailand
Timor-Leste
United Arab Emirates
Uzbekistan
Vietnam
Africa
Angola
Benin
Botswana
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cameroon
Cape Verde
Comoros
Congo - Kinshasa
Côte d’Ivoire
Djibouti
Egypt
Equatorial Guinea
Eswatini
Ethiopia
Gabon
Gambia
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Kenya
Madagascar
Malawi
Mauritania
Mauritius
Morocco
Mozambique
Nigeria
Rwanda
São Tomé & Príncipe
Senegal
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Somalia
South Africa
South Sudan
Tanzania
Togo
Tunisia
Uganda
Zambia
Zimbabwe
Europe
Albania
Andorra
Austria
Belarus
Belgium
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Bulgaria
Croatia
Cyprus
Czechia
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Georgia
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Moldova
Monaco
Montenegro
Netherlands
North Macedonia
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Russia
San Marino
Serbia
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey
Ukraine
United Kingdom
Oceania
Australia
Fiji
Kiribati
Marshall Islands
Micronesia
New Zealand
Palau
Papua New Guinea
Samoa
Solomon Islands
Tonga
Tuvalu
Vanuatu
North America
Antigua & Barbuda
Bahamas
Barbados
Canada
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Grenada
Haiti
Jamaica
Mexico
St. Kitts & Nevis
St. Lucia
St. Vincent & Grenadines
Trinidad & Tobago
United States
South America
Argentina
Belize
Bolivia
Brazil
Chile
Colombia
Costa Rica
Ecuador
El Salvador
Guatemala
Honduras
Nicaragua
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Uruguay
Venezuela
Articles about Malta
Schedule a meeting
Let’s discuss the details
We will develop an individual solution, select a country and status that will solve your problems, and accompany the entire process.

Head of the Austrian office
Prefer messengers?