Malta Passport
Passport rankings out of 193 countries
Freedom of travel23
Asset protection71
Quality of life22
"Plan B"36
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.
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.
Grounds for obtaining a Malta passport
Birth to citizens of the country
Marriage to a citizen of the country
Work for the country's government
Naturalization
Repatriation
Adoption
Parents citizenship
Special conditions
Special services to the state
Obtaining a Malta passport by naturalization: requirements for applicants
Knowledge of state language
Assimilation or cultural knowledge
Stable financial status
Good health
No criminal records
Malta passport for investors
Foreign investors obtain Malta citizenship exceptional services. It is a naturalisation path: an investor gets a residence permit first and can apply for a passport 1 or 3 years later.
€690,000+
Investments
1 or 3 years
Obtaining period
5 years
Time frame for returning real estate investments
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 moreExpenses 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
Individual cost calculation for obtaining a Malta passport
In 1 or 3 years, with purchasing or renting a property. The calculation includes all associated expenses, a payment schedule and the cost of legal support services for obtaining citizenship.
Get the cost calculationStep-by-step procedure for obtaining a Malta passport for exceptional services
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Receiving a passport
Applicants over 12 collect their passports personally at the Maltese Passport Office.
Frequently asked questions
Which passports can be obtained by investment
Malta in the passport ranking for freedom of travel
Malta Passport in comparison with other passports
vs
Cyprus