Malta

The Malta Citizenship by Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment process grants citizenship through a certificate of naturalization to foreign individuals and their families who contribute to Malta’s economic development. This can be achieved after a 36-month residence period, or in exceptional cases, a 12-month period. Each application undergoes a rigorous due diligence process, including comprehensive background checks. The Community Malta Agency is the official Maltese Government body responsible for overseeing and administering the regulations.

Benefits of Maltese Citizenship:

Visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to approximately 190 destinations
Access to a transparent and reputable financial center, making Malta a prime jurisdiction for international business
The ability to include a spouse, children, parents, and grandparents in the main application
Access to excellent international schools and universities within the European Union, with reduced fees or free education in some countries
Compliance with the world’s strictest due diligence standards and thorough vetting of applicants
An attractive location to live or own a second home, strategically positioned with excellent air connectivity

The application for Malta Citizenship by Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment is subject to a comprehensive four-tier due diligence process.

To qualify, applicants must meet the following criteria:

All applicants must be at least 18 years old.

A contribution of at least EUR 600,000 is required for a 36-month residence period, or EUR 750,000 for a 12-month residence period.

The purchase of a residential property in Malta valued at a minimum of EUR 700,000, which must be retained for five years. Alternatively, a lease agreement for a residential property with an annual rental value of at least EUR 16,000, also held for five years. The property cannot be sublet during this period. A 36-month (or 18-month, by exception) lease or property purchase is required during the residence period.

A donation of at least EUR 10,000 to a registered non-governmental organization or society in the fields of sport, culture, science, philanthropy, animal welfare, or art, as approved by the Community Malta Agency.

Legal residence in Malta for a minimum of 36 months (or 12 months, by exception), which includes leasing a residential property with an annual rental value of at least EUR 16,000 for the same period.

Applicants must hold a valid residence card to apply for citizenship.

Applications must be submitted using the prescribed forms, accompanied by the required fees and specific documentation. Comprehensive due diligence checks are conducted, and any application found to contain false information or omissions will be rejected.

If the Tier 1 due diligence checks conducted by the Community Malta Agency are successfully passed, the applicant will proceed to apply for a residence permit. Once residency is secured, an eligibility application will be submitted. Further due diligence checks (Tiers 2, 3, and 4) will be carried out by the agency and presented to the relevant Maltese minister, who will determine the applicant’s eligibility to apply for citizenship.

If deemed eligible, a citizenship application will be submitted to the Community Malta Agency after 36 months of residence (or 12 months, by exception). Upon the minister’s approval of the citizenship grant, the applicant will be required to fulfill the specified investment, donation, and property requirements. Following this, the applicant will be invited to take the oath of allegiance in Malta and will receive a certificate of naturalization.

The Community Malta Agency will continue to monitor the applicant for a period of five years following the granting of citizenship.

AKM-ACCA