MALTA

CITIZENSHIP BY MERIT

Malta’s Citizenship by Merit program provides a path to naturalization for individuals who demonstrates exceptional achievements have made a significant impact on a nation or humanity. This route grants entrepreneurs, technologists, and philanthropists Maltese citizenship and passport who are endorsed by recognised Maltese bodies and who demonstrate exceptional merit through significant contributions to Malta or through services of exceptional interest to Malta or humanity.

CITIZENSHIP INVEST IS GOVERNMENT AUTHORIZED

Citizenship Invest is a trusted leader in securing Malta citizenship and passports. With an extensive track record of success, the firm has supported governments by processing a significant number of applications with precision and efficiency. Committed to clients for life, Citizenship Invest has guided families and individuals from more than 85 countries in obtaining citizenship by investment.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Malta’s citizenship by merit route, introduced on 28 November 2017, provides a path to naturalisation for individuals who have rendered exceptional service to the Republic of Malta or to humanity in fields such as sports, culture, the arts, science, and research. This selective pathway, governed by Article 10(9) of the Maltese Citizenship Act, recognises and rewards extraordinary contributions from distinguished global talents. With the publication of the Granting of Citizenship for Exceptional Services (Amendment) Regulations 2025 on 29 July 2025, eligibility has been further expanded. Citizenship by naturalisation may now also be granted to entrepreneurs, technologists, and philanthropists who are endorsed by recognised Maltese bodies and who demonstrate exceptional merit through significant contributions to Malta or through services of exceptional interest to Malta or humanity.

PROGRAM BENEFITS

STREAMLINED PROCESS
Fast and Simple

Fast-Track European Citizenship without lengthy physical residence requirement.

Malta Citizenship by merit grants you Fast track residence card within the Schengen region for three weeks while waiting for the Citizenship issuance.

Dual Citizenship is allowed.

Family Benefits
The application for one person may also include dependents such as a spouse, unmarried and financially dependent children under 29 years of age.

Lifestyle
Access to world-class healthcare and education: Malta has a highly regarded healthcare system, as well as an excellent education system with internationally recognized qualifications.

Malta offers a laid-back, sunny, and Mediterranean lifestyle. English is widely spoken, making communication easy for many expats and simplifying daily life and official matters.
GLOBAL MOBILITY
STRONG PASSPORT

Malta passport holders can enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival travel to 180+ destinations, including the US, UK, Canada and the EU.

The right to live, work, or study in any of the EU countries, as well as Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. Malta is an attractive place to live or own a second home, strategically located with excellent air links, and an English-speaking country and workforce.

BUSINESS BENEFITS
Elite Program

Malta's Citizenship by Investment program has the world's strictest due diligence standards, ensuring only reputable applicants.

Moreover, Malta is an attractive place to live or own a second home, strategically located with excellent air links and an English-speaking country and workforce.

Malta Passport holders can easily establish businesses, open bank accounts, and expand investments globally.

Malta's non-domicile residence taxation system implies foreigners are taxed only on income and capital gains in Malta, not worldwide income.

Malta also has double taxation treaties with about 60 countries and is one of the leading financial service centres globally.

MALTA PASSPORT VISA-FREE TRAVEL

The Maltese Passport Allows Visa-Free Travel Or Visa-On-Arrival To 185 Countries Including Schengen, UK, USA, And Canada.

185

The Maltese Passport Allows Visa-Free Travel Or Visa-On-Arrival To 185 Countries Including Schengen, UK, USA, And Canada.

AMERICAS
  • Antigua & Barbuda
    Argentina
    Bahamas
    Barbados
    Belize
    Bolivia*
    Brazil
    Canada
    Chile
    Colombia
    Costa Rica
    Dominica
    Dominican Republic
    Ecuador
    El Salvador
    Grenada
    Guatemala
    Haiti
    Honduras
    Jamaica
    Mexico
    Nicaragua
    Panama
    Paraguay
    Peru
    St. Kitts & Nevis
    St. Lucia
    St. Vincent & The Grenadines
    Suriname*
    Trinidad and Tobago
    Uruguay
    USA
    Venezuela
AFRICA
  • Botswana
    Burkina Faso*
    Cape Verde*
    Comoros*
    Djibouti*
    Egypt*
    Gambia
    Guinea-Bissau*
    Lesotho*
    Madagascar*
    Malawi*
    Mauritania*
    Mauritius
    Morocco
    Mozambique*
    São Tomé and Príncipe
    Senegal
    Seychelles
    South Africa
    Swaziland
    Tanzania
    Togo*
    Tunisia
    Uganda
    Zambia
    Zimbabwe
EUROPE
  • Albania
    Andorra
    Austria
    Belgium
    Bosnia & Herzegovina
    Bulgaria
    Croatia
    Cyprus
    Czech Republic
    Denmark
    Estonia
    Finland
    France
    Georgia
    Germany
    Greece
    Hungary
    Iceland
    Ireland (Rep.)
    Italy
    Latvia
    Liechtenstein
    Lithuania
    Luxembourg
    Macedonia (FYROM)
    Moldova
    Monaco
    Montenegro
    Netherlands
    Norway
    Poland
    Portugal
    Romania
    San Marino
    Serbia
    Slovakia
    Slovenia
    Spain
    Sweden
    Switzerland
    Ukraine
    United Kingdom
    Vatican City
ASIA
  • Armenia
    Bahrain*
    Bangladesh*
    Brunei
    Cambodia*
    Hong Kong*
    Indonesia
    Iran*
    Israel
    Japan
    Jordan*
    Kazakhstan
    Kyrgyzstan
    Laos*
    Lebanon*
    Macau*
    Malaysia
    Maldives*
    Nepal*
    Oman*
    Palestinian Territories
    Philippines
    Singapore
    South Korea
    Tajikistan*
    Thailand*
    UAE
OCEANIA
  • Fiji
    Kiribati
    Marshall Islands
    Micronesia
    New Zealand
    Palau
    Papua New Guinea*
    Samoa
    Solomon Isl.*
    Timor-Leste
    Tonga
    Tuvalu
    Vanuatu
E-VISA
  • Australia
    Azerbaijan
    Gabon
    India
    Kenya
    Kuwait
    Myanmar
    Sri Lanka
    Turkey

The list of countries is subject to variations depending on each government's policy and so is access to these countries.
Note: According to UK policy, you can stay in the UK for up to 6 months per year.

INVESTMENT TYPE & COST

Malta citizenship can be granted to individuals who demonstrate exceptional achievements and make significant contributions to Malta or to humanity.

Other Costs

In addition to the required contribution, there are other costs for the Maltese citizenship program which are Citizenship Invest professional fees, documents certifications when applicable, courier fees, and other small disbursements. If you wish to receive a detailed quotation outlining all costs, please contact us.

DUE DILIGENCE AND BACKGROUND CHECKS

Background checks are required and paid for by the government to ensure the integrity of the Malta citizenship by merit program. The government appoints a preferred due diligence agency, which conducts checks using different international and local sources, such as Interpol, World-Check, and other governmental entities.

Due Diligence Fees

APPLICATION SECURITY

Malta's Citizenship program is an exceptional choice due to the security protocols it provides. The program has a proven track record of attracting famous investors, and Citizenship Invest has an excellent record of success to demonstrate.

APPLICATION PROCESS AND TIMELINE

  • WEEK
    1

    Client Onboarding and Document Collection

    Signing of Citizenship Invest (CI) Retainer Agreement and making the first Professional Fees payment.


    Signing of POA and applying for insurance.


    WEEK
    1

  • MONTH
    1

    Starting the Process


    • Travel to Malta: The main applicant and all adult dependents must travel to Malta to initiate the process of obtaining a Malta passport through citizenship by merit.

    • Residency Application: To continue the Malta naturalization process, submit the residency application and pay the government application fees.

    • Residency Cards Issuance: The immigration office will issue residency cards within 15 days of submitting the application.

    • Valid E-Residency Card: The e-residency card obtained through Malta Individual Investor Program (MIIP) is valid for 18 months.

    • Complete Application Submission: Citizenship Invest will compile the complete file required for the submission of the full application for Malta citizenship by merit.


    MONTH
    1

  • MONTH
    4

    Process Completion


    • The Community Malta Agency examines the application, the source of money, and the background checks, then issues a letter of eligibility approval.

    • Citizenship Application: Submit the citizenship application and ensure that the due diligence process is updated.

    • Approval in Principle: Once the due diligence is cleared, obtain approval in principle.



    MONTH
    4

  • YEAR
    1


    • Oath of Allegiance: After the approval, take the oath of allegiance.

    • Certificate of Naturalization: Upon taking the oath, receive the certificate of naturalization, which is the final step in obtaining a Malta Passport.


    Malta Passport is issued.


    YEAR
    1

The estimated processing time for Malta citizenship by investment program depends on the due diligence processing time and the specific case.

Download
Malta Citizenship Brochure

  • Program Overview
  • Citizenship Law
  • Country profile
  • Benefits of the program
  • Applicants Qualifications
  • Investment requirements
  • Application Fees
  • Document Checklist
  • List of countries Visa free and on arrival
Download

15 pages 700Kb

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Age

The applicant must be at least 18 years old and provide evidence of a clean criminal history.

Health

Applicants must maintain good health and possess a global health insurance policy.

Contribution

The contribution is not in financial form. Applicants must prove exceptional merit or propose projects that will boost the economy such as job creation and innovation.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Citizenship Invest provides personalized assistance throughout the application process, including a dedicated Document Collection Specialist to simplify the process. We also seek to obtain the necessary documents without clients' involvement if requested. However, the list below serves as a guideline, and we create a customized checklist for each case to make the document-gathering process stress-free.

  • International passports and foreign residence cards.
  • Evidence of dependency.
  • An electronic identity registration form.
  • Application forms for naturalization.
  • A health insurance policy.
  • A medical report, as well as an original birth record or certified duplicate of birth certificates.
  • For applicants over the age of 16, a clean criminal record from both their country of origin and their country of residence (if different).
  • Submit original bank statements as proof of financial resources.
  • Provide a statement detailing your annual income and wealth information.
  • Provide complete details about your family, education, and previous employment.
  • Submit evidence of your residential address.
  • Include an updated curriculum vitae.
  • Write a residency proposal letter.
  • Original marriage record excerpt or attested copy of marriage certificates.
  • Attested copy of divorce certificate (if applicable).

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions
The Malta Citizenship by Merit Program offers citizenship through significant and exceptional contribution.
The Malta Citizenship program offers a range of compelling benefits. Applicants can obtain Maltese citizenship and an EU passport within months, granting unrestricted access to the European Union, with dual citizenship fully permitted. The program also opens doors to business, education, and relocation opportunities for investors and their families within the EU. Additionally, Malta provides a stable economy and a streamlined, efficient application process.
The processing time for obtaining Malta Citizenship through merit varies based on the applicant's situation. If the applicant already has Maltese residency, the minimum period required for citizenship is 12 months. The processing time for Maltese citizenship by merit ranges from 12 to 18 months. The program involves strict due diligence processes, and all applications undergo a thorough examination before proceeding.
To obtain Malta Citizenship by merit, living in Malta is not mandatory. However, applicants must meet a 12-month residency requirement if they do not already have Maltese residency. They can apply for a residence permit, granting them permission to stay in the country and travel freely within the Schengen Area of Europe.
The success rate of obtaining Malta Citizenship through merit can vary depending on factors like the applicant's background, eligibility, and the strength of their application. However, if an applicant meets all the requirements and follows the proper procedures, the chances of success are generally high. It's essential to work with an experienced and trustworthy company like Citizenship Invest to guide you through the process and ensure your application is well prepared.
Malta's Citizenship by Merit program carries numerous risks that applicants should be aware of. These risks include the possibility of having their application rejected if they fail to meet the program's requirements or submit an incomplete application. The Maltese government conducts extensive due diligence checks on applicants and their families, which can result in application denial if any issues are uncovered, such as a criminal record or questionable financial history. Additionally, changes to the program's regulations, fees, or procedures can occur anytime, potentially impacting an applicant's eligibility or application success. The application process can also be time-consuming, often taking several months or more to complete, with potential delays and uncertainties. To mitigate these risks, it's crucial to seek the help of an experienced company that can guide the process.
Yes, it is possible to obtain Malta Citizenship by merit while maintaining citizenship of another country. Malta allows dual citizenship, which means that an individual can hold citizenship of Malta and another country simultaneously.
Malta's non-domicile residence taxation system implies foreigners are taxed only on income and capital gains in Malta, not worldwide income. Tax rates range from 0% to 30%, and capital gains are taxed at 8%. Malta Citizenship by Merit Program has no specific tax implications, but applicants must follow Malta's tax laws.

SPEAK TO OUR ADVISORS

TESTIMONIALS

Poorya B.
11:27 12 Apr 25
Truly enjoyed the process and facilitating the work for us.I advise them strongly.Thanks Zana for his support locally
Fatima F.
10:29 05 Mar 25
Citizenship Invest, and especially Wissam and Julie, have truly been life-changing for me. They helped me get a new citizenship in such a short time, making the entire process unbelievably smooth and hassle-free. I can’t express how grateful I am for their professionalism, dedication, and genuine care. Julie handled everything with such expertise, and was incredibly supportive throughout.The entire team at CI is amazing—efficient, trustworthy, and truly invested in helping their clients. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience, and I highly recommend them to anyone looking for expert guidance!
Azeem A. N.
09:10 27 Jan 25
I had a fantastic experience with the advisors Farzona and Melanie in Citizenship Invest Dubai office. They provided excellent support in securing Antigua and Barbuda citizenship for my family of 4. We received our passports in November 2024 within period of almost 8 months. But the team was available throughout the process for guidance and support. Thank you Farzona and Melanie.
Mohammed M.
06:58 23 Dec 24
Highly rated citizenship program services by this professionals additionally Mr.Tausif . Great work with timely updates and follow backs .
Murtaza K.
11:40 16 Dec 24
I must admire the professionalism and knowledge of Mr. Touseef Khan for helping me with my decision. It was seamless process and received great support from Mr Touseef and the entire CI team. Highly recommend them for professionalim and transparency.
V
11:19 06 Nov 24
I would like to highlight the high level of professionalism of this team. I especially appreciate the work of the department head, Farzona. The file for obtaining a Grenada passport was prepared in the shortest possible time, and there was not a single question during the entire audit process. I have had experience working with other teams, and IC definitely stands out in a positive way.
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