Malta Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment

The Malta Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment offers many benefits, including:

Citizenship for life

Maltese citizenship gives you the right to live and work in the country for life, plus civic entitlements like voting, free healthcare and the right to hold a Maltese passport.

Entitlement to dual citizenship

Unlike other countries, Malta has no restrictions on dual citizenship. Consequently, you don’t need to relinquish your original nationality in order to become a Maltese citizen.

Ability to pass on citizenship

As a Maltese citizen, you’ll also be able to pass on your citizenship rights to your descendants. This allows them to enjoy all the same benefits and in turn safeguards your family’s future.

What are the benefits of a Maltese passport? 

Malta passports are issued to citizens of Malta for international travel. They are biometric documents, ensuring a greater level of safety and facilitating cross-border procedures.

How long are Maltese passports valid for? 

Passports of Malta are valid for:

• 16 years +: ten years.
• 10- 15 years: five years
• 0-9 years: two years

What is the Malta passport application process? 

The passport application process is separate from the Malta Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment process and requires the applicant to present several documents. These documents vary according to whether the application is a first-time application, a first-time renewal, or a later renewal. 

In all cases, a certified copy of the applicant’s Certificate of Registration – the document that is issued to an economic citizen at the end of the Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment process – must be provided. 

Every time Maltese passport holders re-apply for a passport (for example, because their old passport has expired), they must present their old Maltese passport. This will be cancelled upon issuance of the new passport. 

All renewals can be made directly at the Passport Office.

1. The main applicant must fulfil all the following requirements:

• Make an exceptional direct investment. Note that the amount due for the exceptional direct investment varies according to whether the applicant has resided in Malta for (a) 36 months or (b) between 12 and 36 months.
• Make a real estate investment (either a purchase or rental) to be held for a minimum of five years. Note that the real estate chosen must be fit for the main applicant and dependants to live in.
• Make a donation and pay administrative fees.

2. An undertaking to complete the above, and evidence of completion of the residence of requirement, must be provided.
3. Approximately five working days from the provision of the relevant undertaking/evidence of completion of residence, an invitation to travel to Malta to take the Oath of Allegiance is issued to the main applicant and any dependants ages 18 or over.
4. The Oath of Allegiance must be taken in Malta within six months of the letter of approval, and the applicants will not be allowed to take the Oath unless:

• all requirements are fulfilled, and fees paid; and
• the applicant undertakes in writing to observe and fulfil all obligations for a period of five years from e-issuance of the Certificate of Naturalisation.

5. The Certificate of Naturalisation is issued.
6. The Community Malta Agency conducts continuous monitoring of the main applicant/dependants for five years, and the main applicant/dependants must complete and file a Compliance Form at the Community Malta Agency every year for the first five years from the date of the Oath of Allegiance.

What are the investment options under the Malta Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment Programme?

Under the Regulations, applicants may obtain citizenship of Malta upon the completion of a three-stage process, consisting of:

1: The Residency Stage
2: The Eligibility Stage
3: The Citizenship Stage

Who is eligible to apply

Applicants for citizenship should be:

• Aged 18 or over
• Pass an eligibility assessment
• No English language requirement
• Residence requirement: at least 12 months

Which family members can I include in my application for Malta Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment?

The following dependants may be included in an application under the Regulations:

• The spouse of the main applicant in a monogamous marriage, or a person with an equivalent relationship such as a civil union or another relationship with similar status.
• Biological/adopted children of the main applicant or spouse/equivalent, who:

at the time of application submission and approval in principle are:

• aged under 18;
• aged 18-28, unmarried, and wholly maintained or otherwise largely supported by the main applicant; or

at the time of application submission, are at least 18 and with a disability as defined in the Equal Opportunities (Persons with Disability) Act.

• Parents/grandparents of the main applicant or spouse/equivalent aged at least 55, who, at the time of application submission and approval in principle, are wholly maintained or otherwise largely supported by the main applicant.

Are citizens of certain countries not allowed to apply?

Nationals of, or people with close ties to:

• Afghanistan
• The Democratic Republic of Congo
• Iran
• North Korea
• Somalia
• South Sudan
• Sudan
• Syria
• Venezuela
• Yemen
• Russia
• Belarus

are barred from making an application.

Is this programme for me?

The following may be a good fit for the programme:

• High-net-worth-individuals
• Entrepreneurs
• Investors
• Business professionals
• Innovators and inventors