Unlock the EU – Malta Citizenship by Investment

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KEY POINTS

EU Residency and Citizenship
Obtain EU residency and citizenship through Malta's Citizenship by Investment Program, offering visa-free travel and financial opportunities.
Mediterranean Lifestyle
Experience Malta's rich cultural history, mild climate, and captivating landscapes, providing a Mediterranean escape like no other.
Investment Flexibility
With varying investment options and residency durations, the program accommodates diverse financial situations, empowering applicants to tailor their citizenship journey.

What is the Maltese Citizenship by Investment Program?

The Maltese government offers individuals and families the opportunity to obtain citizenship by a certificate of naturalization while contributing to the economic development of Malta.

Applicants achieve this by participating in the Malta Citizenship by Naturalization for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment program.

Before we dig into the program details, let’s look at some of Malta’s highlights.

Malta: Key Facts & Figures

Malta is a Mediterranean gem blending history, beauty, and cuisine. From ancient sites to crystal waters, it's a captivating mix of heritage and natural splendor. Explore Valletta's UNESCO streets or unwind on Gozo's beaches. Malta offers an unforgettable Mediterranean escape.

Here are some highlights:

Size	Sixth largest island in Mediterranean Sea
Capital city	Valletta
Population	530,000 (est.)
Official languages	Maltese and English
Climate	Hot and dry summers. Mild and wet winters.
Cost of living	Moderate compared to other European countries

What are the benefits of Malta’s program?

The program offers a diverse range of benefits including, but not limited to:

Family

Applicant can bring their spouse, partner, children, parents, and grandparents (limitations and restrictions apply)

Legal

EU residency (12-36 months) that can lead to citizenship
Dual citizenship permitted
Pass EU citizenship to future generations
Visa-free travel to 170+ countries
Visa-free travel to the Schengen Area
Political stability

Financial

Residency period provides access to live, work, and study in Malta
Citizenship provides access to live, work, and study throughout the EU
Opportunity to establish your own business
Invest in Malta real estate market with potential for appreciation and rental income

Lifestyle

Moderate cost of living compared to many European countries
Citizenship provides free access to quality healthcare, education, and social services
Rich cultural history
Mediterranean climate

What are the investment requirements?

Applicants can apply for citizenship after residing in Malta for at least 12 months. A minimum contribution / donation of €600,000 is required plus other fees, expenses, and commitments (based on 36 months of residency).

The investment requirements vary based on whether the applicant is seeking citizenship after 12 or 36 months of residency, as outlined in the table below:

Stage	Applicant		Dependent (per)	Benefactor (per)
	36 Month Residency	12-36 Month Residency	Dependent (per)	Benefactor (per)
	€	€	€	€

Residency Stage
Non-refundable contribution / donation*	10,000	10,000	-	-
Resident permit	5,000	5,000	1,000	-
Residency card	28	28	28	-
Eligibility Stage
Due diligence	15,000	15,000	-	-
Due diligence 12yr+	-	-	10,000	-
Benefactor	-	-	-	15,000
Administrative fee	1,000	1,000	1,000	1,000
Citizenship Stage
*Contribution / Donation (see non-refundable deposit above)**	590,000	740,000	50,000	-
Administrative fee	500	500	500	-
Real estate investment**	700,000 or 16,000 annual residential lease	700,000 or 16,000 annual residential lease	-	-
Donation	10,000	10,000	-	-

Non-refundable contribution to the National Development and Social Fund to support public health, education, job creation, and social reform * Must be retained for a minimum of 5 years from date of issue of certificate of citizenship

The costs above do not include legal fees, power of attorney fees, etc.

Who can apply to the program?

The program is open to non-EEA/EU/Swiss nationals over 18 years of age except for individuals from the following countries:

Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
Islamic Republic of Iran
Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
Citizens from countries on the U.S. travel ban

The list above is subject to change from time to time.

Which documents are required?

Applicants may be required to submit these documents, though this list may not be exhaustive:

Introduction Letter
Power of attorney
Birth certificate
Marriage certificate
Passport
Criminal background check
Biometrics appointment
Benefactor’s declaration
Benefactor’s passport
Property lease or purchase agreement
Parent’s consent form (i.e., biological parent not part of the application)
Landlord declaration if applicant no longer resides at the address registered with the Malta Agency
Curriculum Vitae of the applicant
Proof of health insurance for all individuals
Bank statements (6 months)

Document submission guidelines include:

Originals should be in color, if possible
No apostille required if certified by Malta registered lawyer/notary public/commissioner for oaths, or a Maltese Consular or Diplomatic Representative
Apostille required for documents certified by foreign lawyer or notary public in any country that is party to the Apostille Convention
All documents must be translated into English and signed by an accredited translator

Do you need professional advisors?

If you are contemplating participation in Malta’s citizenship by investment program, you likely already have an existing group of trusted advisors. The program is a powerful estate planning tool that should not be considered in isolation. It will likely impact several areas of your estate plan including, but not limited to:

Appointment of:
- Executors
- Powers of attorney
- Trustees
- Healthcare proxies
- Guardians
- Beneficiaries

Wills and trusts
Tax planning
Asset protection
Business succession planning
Charitable giving
Investment management

You will need a power of attorney to facilitate and navigate the program. We also recommend you engage professional advisors, as necessary, to ensure your integrated estate plan is tailored to meet your short-term and long-term estate planning objectives.

What is the application process?

① Power of Attorney

Applicant gives power of attorney to a local agent to act on their behalf.

② Residence

Tier 1 due diligence performed, and police clearance obtained. Residency status is issued for 36 months which can be extended if an eligibility for citizenship application has been submitted.

③ Eligibility

Application for citizenship should be submitted to the Community Malta Agency (the “Agency”) within 12 months from the issuance of the residency card. Birth and marriage certificates are submitted to the Public Registry and Passport Office.

④ Due Diligence

Tier 2 due diligence performed to ensure application completeness. Tier 3 and 4 due diligences performed, and findings are presented to the Minister.

⑤ Eligibility Decision

Eligibility to apply for Maltese citizenship is made.

⑥ Citizenship Application

After 12 or 36 months from Step 2 above (i.e., expiration of the residency periods), the Citizenship Application is presented to the Agency.

⑦ Due Diligence Update

The Agency updates their due diligence file and presents an updated report to the Minister.

⑧ Citizenship Decision

Minister decides if Maltese citizenship will be granted.

⑨ Evidence of Fulfillment of Citizenship Requirements

Documented evidence of fulfillment of all requirements must be presented and include:

36- or 12-month residency status (including boarding passes for each trip)
Copy of lease agreement or property purchase agreement. Also required to submit a declaration that the property will be kept and maintained for a minimum of five years after the Oath of Allegiance.
Contribution / donation of €600,000 or €750,000 plus applicable dependent and benefactor requirements.

Applicant fulfills the Exceptional Investment , Donation, and Property Requirements (see chart above).

⑩ Oath of Allegiance

Applicant takes the Oath of Allegiance in Malta and is granted Maltese Citizenship, and a Certificate of Naturalization is issued.

⑪ Monitoring

The Agency continues to monitor for five years. This may include the requirement to provide additional information or documentation and the applicant may be subject to an interview.

Do you need travel insurance?

You are required to obtain medical insurance; however, travel insurance is not required. The two types of insurance may have some overlapping coverages.

The citizenship process requires a physical visit to Malta (biometrics meeting) and may involve additional trips at your discretion.

We always recommend travel insurance when traveling beyond your state / provincial borders. It can provide coverage for medical and trip related costs.

These may include cancellation for any reason, cancel for work, cancel for interruption, trip cancellation, trip interruption, delays, missed connections, emergency illness or injury, medical evacuation, repatriation, pre-existing conditions, and more.

We would also like to highlight the services offered by many insurance providers. You can often obtain 24/7 multilingual services related to travel, medical, concierge, and identity theft.

Access to multilingual agents during a time of crisis in a foreign country can be invaluable while saving you time, money, and stress.

FINAL THOUGHTS

The Maltese Citizenship by Investment Program allows individuals to obtain citizenship through a certificate of naturalization while contributing to Malta's economy.

Benefits include EU residency, visa-free travel, financial opportunities, and a Mediterranean lifestyle. Requirements vary based on residency duration, and applicants must provide necessary documents for due diligence and eligibility assessments.

Safe travels!

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