Malta Passport

Passport rankings out of 198 countries

Freedom of travel23

Asset protection71

Quality of life22

"Plan B"36

Afghanistan

Visa is required

Albania

Visa-free for 90 days

Algeria

Visa is required

Andorra

Visa-free

Angola

Visa-free for 30 days

Antigua & Barbuda

Visa-free for 180 days

Argentina

Visa-free for 90 days

Armenia

Visa-free for 180 days

Australia

eTA

Austria

Visa-free

Azerbaijan

eTA

Bahamas

Visa-free for 90 days

Bahrain

Visa upon arrival

Bangladesh

Visa upon arrival

Barbados

Visa-free for 90 days

Belarus

Visa-free for 30 days

Belgium

Visa-free

Belize

Visa-free

Benin

eTA

Bhutan

eTA

Bolivia

Visa upon arrival

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Visa-free for 90 days

Botswana

Visa-free for 90 days

Brazil

Visa-free for 90 days

Brunei

Visa-free for 90 days

Bulgaria

Visa-free

Burkina Faso

Visa upon arrival

Burundi

Visa upon arrival

Cambodia

Visa upon arrival

Cameroon

eTA

Canada

eTA

Cape Verde

Visa-free for 30 days

Central African Republic

Visa is required

Chad

Visa is required

Chile

Visa-free for 90 days

China

Visa-free for 30 days

Colombia

Visa-free for 90 days

Comoros

Visa upon arrival

Congo - Brazzaville

Visa is required

Congo - Kinshasa

eTA

Costa Rica

Visa-free for 180 days

Croatia

Visa-free

Cuba

eTA

Cyprus

Visa-free

Czechia

Visa-free

Côte d’Ivoire

eTA

Denmark

Visa-free

Djibouti

Visa upon arrival

Dominica

Visa-free for 180 days

Dominican Republic

Visa-free

Ecuador

Visa-free for 90 days

Egypt

Visa upon arrival

El Salvador

Visa-free for 180 days

Equatorial Guinea

eTA

Eritrea

Visa is required

Estonia

Visa-free

Eswatini

Visa-free for 30 days

Ethiopia

Visa upon arrival

Fiji

Visa-free for 120 days

Finland

Visa-free

France

Visa-free

Gabon

eTA

Gambia

Visa-free for 90 days

Georgia

Visa-free for 360 days

Germany

Visa-free

Ghana

Visa upon arrival

Greece

Visa-free

Grenada

Visa-free for 90 days

Guatemala

Visa-free for 90 days

Guinea

eTA

Guinea-Bissau

Visa upon arrival

Guyana

Visa is required

Haiti

Visa-free for 90 days

Honduras

Visa-free for 90 days

Hong Kong SAR China

Visa-free for 90 days

Hungary

Visa-free

Iceland

Visa-free

India

eTA

Indonesia

Visa upon arrival

Iran

Visa upon arrival

Iraq

Visa upon arrival

Ireland

Visa-free

Israel

Visa-free for 90 days

Italy

Visa-free

Jamaica

Visa-free

Japan

Visa-free for 90 days

Jordan

Visa upon arrival

Kazakhstan

Visa-free for 30 days

Kenya

eTA

Kiribati

Visa is required

Kuwait

Visa upon arrival

Kyrgyzstan

Visa-free for 60 days

Laos

Visa upon arrival

Latvia

Visa-free

Lebanon

Visa upon arrival

Lesotho

Visa is required

Liberia

Visa is required

Libya

eTA

Liechtenstein

Visa-free

Lithuania

Visa-free

Luxembourg

Visa-free

Macao SAR China

Visa-free for 90 days

Madagascar

Visa upon arrival

Malawi

Visa-free for 30 days

Malaysia

Visa-free for 90 days

Maldives

Visa upon arrival

Mali

Visa is required

Malta

—

Marshall Islands

Visa-free for 90 days

Mauritania

Visa upon arrival

Mauritius

Visa-free for 90 days

Mexico

Visa-free for 180 days

Micronesia

Visa-free for 90 days

Moldova

Visa-free for 90 days

Monaco

Visa-free

Mongolia

Visa-free for 30 days

Montenegro

Visa-free for 90 days

Morocco

Visa-free for 90 days

Mozambique

Visa upon arrival

Myanmar (Burma)

eTA

Namibia

Visa is required

Nauru

Visa is required

Nepal

Visa upon arrival

Netherlands

Visa-free

New Zealand

eTA

Nicaragua

Visa-free for 90 days

Niger

Visa is required

Nigeria

eTA

North Korea

Visa is required

North Macedonia

Visa-free for 90 days

Norway

Visa-free

Oman

Visa upon arrival

Pakistan

eTA

Palau

Visa-free for 90 days

Palestinian Territories

Visa-free

Panama

Visa-free for 90 days

Papua New Guinea

eTA

Paraguay

Visa-free for 90 days

Peru

Visa-free for 90 days

Philippines

Visa-free for 30 days

Poland

Visa-free

Portugal

Visa-free

Qatar

Visa upon arrival

Romania

Visa-free

Russia

eTA

Rwanda

Visa-free for 30 days

Samoa

Visa-free for 90 days

San Marino

Visa-free

Saudi Arabia

Visa upon arrival

Senegal

Visa-free for 90 days

Serbia

Visa-free for 90 days

Seychelles

Visa-free for 90 days

Sierra Leone

Visa upon arrival

Singapore

Visa-free for 90 days

Slovakia

Visa-free

Slovenia

Visa-free

Solomon Islands

Visa-free for 90 days

Somalia

Visa upon arrival

South Africa

Visa-free for 90 days

South Korea

Visa-free for 90 days

South Sudan

eTA

Spain

Visa-free

Sri Lanka

Visa upon arrival

St Kitts & Nevis

Visa-free for 90 days

St Lucia

Visa-free for 90 days

St. Vincent & Grenadines

Visa-free for 90 days

Sudan

Visa is required

Suriname

Visa is required

Sweden

Visa-free

Switzerland

Visa-free

Syria

eTA

São Tomé & Príncipe

Visa-free for 15 days

Taiwan

Visa-free for 90 days

Tajikistan

Visa-free for 30 days

Tanzania

Visa-free for 90 days

Thailand

Visa-free for 60 days

Timor-Leste

Visa-free for 90 days

Togo

eTA

Tonga

Visa-free for 90 days

Trinidad & Tobago

Visa-free for 90 days

Tunisia

Visa-free for 90 days

Turkey

Visa-free for 90 days

Turkmenistan

Visa is required

Tuvalu

Visa-free for 90 days

UAE

Visa-free for 90 days

Uganda

Visa-free for 90 days

Ukraine

Visa-free for 90 days

United Kingdom

Visa-free for 180 days

United States

eTA

Uruguay

Visa-free for 90 days

Uzbekistan

Visa-free for 30 days

Vanuatu

Visa-free for 120 days

Vatican City

Visa-free

Venezuela

Visa-free for 90 days

Vietnam

eTA

Yemen

Visa is required

Zambia

Visa-free for 90 days

Zimbabwe

Visa-free for 90 days

About Malta

The Malta passport allows the holder to live in any EU country and visit the USA, Canada and Australia without visas. A foreigner can get a Malta passport by naturalisation after five years of living in the country, marriage or birth.

Investors get Malta citizenship for exceptional services one or three years after obtaining a residence permit. The required direct investment in the country's economy is at least €690,000.

Malta has a favourable geographical location in the Mediterranian Sea, on the islands of Malta, Gozo and Comino. The country is a member of the EU and the Schengen Area. The main economic sector is tourism. Besides, Malta is one of the global centres for learning English and a popular spot for filmmaking.

Population

514.564

Capital

Valletta

Official language

English, Maltese

GDP per capita

$24.532

Time zone

UTC +1...+2

Currency

Euro

Malta passport ranking and benefits

1
185 visa-free destinations
The Malta passport is powerful: the holders travel to the Schengen states, the UK, the USA, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, and more than 150 other countries without visas.
The Malta passport is powerful: the holders travel to the Schengen states, the UK, the USA, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, and more than 150 other countries without visas.
2
Moving to Malta or any other EU country
Malta is an EU member state. Thus, Maltese citizens can relocate to any EU country without additional residence permits. Besides, Malta passport holders can choose to live in Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Switzerland.
Malta is an EU member state. Thus, Maltese citizens can relocate to any EU country without additional residence permits. Besides, Malta passport holders can choose to live in Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Switzerland.
3
Business, employment and study in Europe
Tuition fees at European schools and universities are less for Maltese citizens than for non-EU citizens. Studying won’t require a student visa in case of many countries.
A Malta passport holder doesn’t need additional permission to work in the EU. In addition, they can open a company in any country in the region.
Tuition fees at European schools and universities are less for Maltese citizens than for non-EU citizens. Studying won’t require a student visa in case of many countries.
A Malta passport holder doesn’t need additional permission to work in the EU. In addition, they can open a company in any country in the region.
4
Medical treatment in the best clinics
Maltese citizens get insurance that significantly reduces the costs of medical services at EU clinics. Trips for treatment in the Schengen countries, the USA or the UK don’t require medical visas.
Maltese citizens get insurance that significantly reduces the costs of medical services at EU clinics. Trips for treatment in the Schengen countries, the USA or the UK don’t require medical visas.

Who can get a Malta passport for exceptional services

Investors over 18 with a legal income
Spouses
Children under 29 if they are unmarried and principally dependent on the investor
Parents and grandparents over 55 if they are principally dependent on the investor

All applicants must have no criminal records or charges and visa denials from countries with visa-waiver agreements with Malta. In addition, applicants mustn’t be on international sanction lists.

Investment options

A contribution to the National Development and Social Fund — €600,000 for naturalisation in 3 years and €750,000 for naturalisation in a year of residency; an additional €50,000 is contributed per family member.
Purchasing or renting a residential property — €700,000+ or €16,000 per year for 5 years.
A charitable donation — €10,000.

In addition to investments, applicants pay fees for the Eligibility Test, medical insurance, application processing, and legal support.

Learn more

Expenses for a family of 4

The spouses and their children aged 10 and 14, when renting a property and obtaining Malta passports 3 years after residence permits

Expenses

Amount

Contribution to the National Development and Social Fund

€750,000:

€600,000 for the investor;
€50,000 per family member.

Property rent for 5 years

€80,000

Charitable donation

€10,000

Eligibility Test

€35,000:

€15,000 for the investor;
€10,000 per family member over 12.

Fee for a residence permit card

€8,000:

€5,000 for the investor;
€1,000 per family member.

Property rent for 3 years during residency

€36,000

Medical insurance

€2,000: €500+ per applicant

Administration fees

€6,000: €1,500 per applicant

Total

€927,000

Step-by-step procedure for obtaining a Malta passport for exceptional services

1 day

Preliminary Due Diligence

1 day

Preliminary Due Diligence

An investor must pass a strict Eligibility Test, determining whether the applicant can get a Malta passport.

Immigrant Invest is a licensed agent helping investors obtain Malta citizenship for exceptional services. Our Compliance Department confidentially conducts a preliminary check against international databases to promptly identify rejection risks and offer solutions.

Take a short anonymous test and learn more about the nuances of Due Diligence checks.

Evaluate chances

An investor must pass a strict Eligibility Test, determining whether the applicant can get a Malta passport.

Take a short anonymous test and learn more about the nuances of Due Diligence checks.

Evaluate chances

5—6 weeks

Getting a residence permit

5—6 weeks

Getting a residence permit

First, the Maltese Police checks information about investors and their family members over 12 against international databases and issues Police Clearance Certificates. The procedure takes up to 2 weeks.

All adult family members get residence permits. Immigrant Invest lawyers prepare documents, help get medical insurance, and buy or rent a residential property in Malta.

Applicants visit Malta for fingerprinting. The lawyers receive residence permit cards and forward them to the investor’s address.

All adult family members get residence permits. Immigrant Invest lawyers prepare documents, help get medical insurance, and buy or rent a residential property in Malta.

Applicants visit Malta for fingerprinting. The lawyers receive residence permit cards and forward them to the investor’s address.

4—5 months

Eligibility Test

4—5 months

Eligibility Test

Immigrant Invest lawyers prepare documents and submit them for consideration. All family members over 12 must pass the Eligibility Test. The check usually takes 4—5 months.

The Minister responsible for matters relating to Malta citizenship approves or rejects the application. If the application is approved, the investor can apply for citizenship in 1 or 3 years after getting the residence permit.

Immigrant Invest lawyers prepare documents and submit them for consideration. All family members over 12 must pass the Eligibility Test. The check usually takes 4—5 months.

1 or 3 years after getting a residence permit

Applying for citizenship

1 or 3 years after getting a residence permit

Applying for citizenship

If the investor applies a year after getting a residence permit, the citizenship application must contain information on any changes in personal circumstances. If the investor applies three years later, they need new certificates of no criminal records and confirmation of a residential address.

2 to 4 weeks

Approval from a Minister

2 to 4 weeks

Approval from a Minister

The Minister makes the final decision on the application. The investor gets a letter of approval allowing them to obtain citizenship.

Up to 4 months

Fulfilment of investment conditions

Up to 4 months

Fulfilment of investment conditions

The investor buys or rents a property and contributes to the state and a charity fund. They must provide confirming documents within 4 months of receiving the approval letter.

Up to 2 months

Submitting biometrics and taking an oath

Up to 2 months

Submitting biometrics and taking an oath

Applicants must visit Malta to submit their biometrics and take an oath of allegiance. All applicants over 6 submit the biometrics, and adult family members over 18 take the oath.

The oath must be taken within 6 months since the Minister has approved the application. If the investment conditions are fulfilled within 4 months, the applicants have 2 more months to travel to Malta.

Applicants must visit Malta to submit their biometrics and take an oath of allegiance. All applicants over 6 submit the biometrics, and adult family members over 18 take the oath.

4 business days after submitting biometrics

Receiving a passport

4 business days after submitting biometrics

Receiving a passport

Applicants over 12 collect their passports personally at the Maltese Passport Office.

Frequently asked questions

Does Malta allow dual citizenship?
Yes, it does. Maltese citizens can have passports of other countries. Since February 10th, 2000, the law doesn’t limit the country’s citizens who want to get a second passport and foreigners who wish to become Maltese citizens.
How long is the period of residing in Malta for obtaining citizenship by naturalisation?
The residing period is at least 5 years, including a year of continuous residing before applying for citizenship and at least 4 years during the previous 6 years.
A foreigner can get a Malta passport by naturalisation in 1 or 3 years — in case of exceptional services by direct investment. Applicants invest at least €690,000 in the country’s economy. Investors’ family members can get Malta passports, too: spouses, children under 29, and parents and grandparents over 55.
Which statuses are available for investors in Malta?
Investors can get residence permits, permanent residence and citizenship.
A Malta residence permit is issued for annual payments of a tax on global income in the amount of at least €15,000 per annum. Applicants also buy or rent residential properties and pay administration fees. The residence permit is renewed annually.
Malta permanent residence requires fulfilling several investment conditions. Investors rent or buy housing, pay an administration fee, and make a contribution and donation to a charity fund. The minimum investment amount is €150,000. Permanent residence is valid for life.
Malta citizenship for exceptional services is a naturalisation path opening to investors 1 or 3 years after getting residence permits. Investors rent or purchase real estate, contribute to a state fund and donate to charity. The minimum investment sum is €690,000.