The EU nation of Malta, a small but beautiful archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea, has emerged as a popular choice for residency or citizenship over the past decade.

Malta offers a range of tax incentives, including no capital gains tax on income from outside the country and various exemptions that can reduce corporate taxes to as low as 5%. This has made it particularly attractive to cryptocurrency investors and businesses, earning it the nickname “Blockchain Island.” Additionally various iGaming companies and other tech businesses have also flocked there for the benefits.

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Since the early 2010s, Malta has offered both residency-by-investment (RBI) and citizenship-by-investment (CBI) programs. The latter has even sparked a bit of controversy, with the European Commission taking legal action against Malta, arguing that its citizenship-by-investment scheme undermines the integrity of European citizenship. However, it seems likely that the lawsuit will go in Malta’s favor.

Despite this, as a full member of the European Union and the Schengen Area, Malta is not treated as a tax haven. Its citizenship-by-investment pathway remains attractive for those seeking a gateway into Europe, combined with tax-friendly incentives.

There are numerous advantages to Maltese citizenship (and residency) worth considering. These include:

  • EU/Schengen Access: Maltese citizenship grants the right to live, work, and study in any of the 27 European Union countries and Switzerland. This allows for unrestricted movement and residence across the entire EU and the Schengen Area, offering immense freedom and flexibility.
  • High passport ranking: Malta has a passport power rank of 8, with visa-free access to most countries in the world, including the US, Canada, and the UK.
  • No Language Requirement: English is one of the official languages of Malta, and there is no requirement for applicants to learn Maltese to qualify for citizenship.
  • Fastest Path to EU Citizenship: Compared to other European citizenship programs, Malta offers one of the quickest options to get citizenship.
  • Investment security: You don’t have to worry about making significant financial commitments and then risk not getting accepted for the program. Unlike other programs, you only have to make your main investments once you have approval.

Residency by Investment vs Citizenship by Investment

This article primarily focuses on Malta’s citizenship-by-investment (CBI) program, often referred to as the Maltese Exceptional Investor Naturalisation (MEIN) policy or Maltese Citizenship by Exceptional Services (MCES). The official program name is Maltese Citizenship by Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment (MCNESDI)—but that’s quite a mouthful!

It’s important to note that Malta also offers a residency-by-investment (RBI) option at a lower investment threshold. Though the RBI program doesn’t directly grant citizenship, it does provide a long-term pathway to citizenship if you move to Malta on a permanent basis. Below, you’ll find a detailed comparison of the two programs.

Below, we’ve provided a side-by-side comparison of the two programs to help you determine which might be the best fit for your goals.

  Malta Citizenship by Direct Investment Malta Permanent Residence Program (MPRP)
Program features Provides citizenship through direct investment in Malta. Offers permanent residency through investment in Malta.
Residency requirement 12 or 36 months legal residency before applying for citizenship; with at least 30 days physical presence per year. No requirement to live in Malta full-time; investment must be held for 5 years.
Non-refundable capital contribution €600,000 (36 months) or €750,000 (12 months). €28,000 (purchase) or €58,000 (rent).
Additional capital contribution for dependents €50,000 per dependent Spouses and children of any age are free to include on initial application. Other dependents (e.g. parents and grandparents) are €7,500 each.
If you would like to add more dependents at a later stage, there are additional fees
Real Estate investment Purchase (€700,000+) or rent (€16,000/year). Purchase €350,000 (central/northern Malta)
or
€300,000 (southern Malta/Gozo)
or
Rent (€12,000/year central/northern, €10,000/year southern Malta/Gozo).
Donation to registered Maltese charity €10,000 €2,000
Application fees for main applicant €5,000 for the main applicant’s residence permit, €15,000 for due diligence fees. €40,000 non-refundable registration fee
Application fees for each dependent €1,000 per dependent’s residence permit, €10,000 for due diligence fees.  
Processing time from initial application to getting residence permit Typically takes 3-4 weeks to get the temporary residence permit Typically takes at least 8-12 months from initial application to getting your permanent residence permit
Path to citizenship Direct path to citizenship after fulfilling residency and investment requirements. Possible to apply for citizenship after showing significant ties and residency in Malta for 5 out of the last 7 years.
Minimum total capital outlay (Renting, main applicant + spouse)* €771,000 for 3-year program, €921,000 for 1-year program €150,000
Minimum total capital outlay (Buying, main applicant + spouse)* €1,391,000 for 3-year program, €1,541,000 for 1-year program €370,000

*This was calculated based on one main applicant and one spouse. It’s worth noting that this is total capital outlay, i.e. money you will need up front, whether it is refundable or not. Some minor fees, such as residency card issuance fees of €27.50 in the case of the CBI program and €137.50 in the case of the RBI program have been omitted in this comparison for the sake of round numbers. See our detailed cost comparison for more information.

Note that the cost estimations in this table do not take legal fees into account.

For more information on the MPRP, refer to our in-depth article about the Maltese Permanent Residence Program.

Maltese Citizenship by Direct Investment (MEIN)

Malta’s path to citizenship through direct investment aims to attract non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals by offering a favorable tax regime and a straightforward route to Maltese (and thus, EU) citizenship.

There are two main stages to obtaining citizenship through investment. First, you must hold residency in Malta for a set period before lodging a citizenship application. This is typically 36 months, but if you make a higher investment, the requirement can be reduced to 12 months.

During the pre-approval process, you’ll need to verify your stay in Malta by presenting proof of incoming and outgoing travel—so keep those boarding passes handy.

It’s important to note that while you can leave Malta during the residency period, you are recommended to spend at least 30 days each year in the country in order to help demonstrate ties to Malta and thus qualify for citizenship.

However, beyond meeting the bare minimum stay requirement, it’s highly recommended to establish further ties to Malta during your time as a resident.

Luckily, thanks to its beneficial corporate tax and legal regime, Malta is an attractive place for investments, ranging from tech, gaming, and blockchain companies. Another way of establishing deeper connections would be to provide loan financing to local companies.

Investment Requirements

Now, let’s talk about the costs.

Maltese Citizenship by Direct Investment requires both a real estate investment, which can provide returns, and a non-refundable capital contribution. Here’s a breakdown of what you need to invest:

  • Non-refundable contribution: €600,000 if applying after 36 months of residence, or €750,000 if applying after 12 months. An additional €50,000 is required for each dependent.
  • Real estate investment: After meeting the residence requirement and initial investment, you must purchase a property worth at least €700,000 or rent a property with a minimum annual rent of €16,000. This property must be maintained for at least five years.
  • Donation: Before receiving the naturalization certificate, you must donate at least €10,000 to a Maltese registered philanthropic, cultural, sports, scientific, animal welfare, or artistic organization.
  Buying (Fast Track) Buying Renting (Fast Track) Renting
Real estate €700,000 €700,000 €80,000 €80,000
Capital contribution (main applicant) €750,000 €600,000 €750,000 €600,000
Capital contribution (dependent) €50,000 €50,000 €50,000 €50,000
Due diligence fees (main applicant) €15,000 €15,000 €15,000 €15,000
Due diligence fees (spouse) €10,000 €10,000 €10,000 €10,000
Residence permit (main applicant) €5,000 €5,000 €5,000 €5,000
Residence permit (spouse) €1,000 €1,000 €1,000 €1,000
Donation €10,000 €10,000 €10,000 €10,000
Total capital outlay €1,541,000 €1,391,000 €921,000 €771,000
Total costs €841,000 €691,000 €921,000 €771,000

Note that there may be other small costs not included in this chart, for example there is a residence card fee of €27,50 per family member. Legal fees are also not included.

Inclusion of Family Members

You can include the following family members in your application:

  • A spouse or partner in a recognized relationship
  • Children under 18 years old
  • Unmarried, financially dependent children 18 and over but less than 29 years old (29 years old not included)
  • Financially dependent parents or grandparents over 55 years old
  • Children with disabilities of any age

Due Diligence and Health Checks

Additionally, applicants must provide that they and their dependents are fit to hold Maltese citizenship with a medical report and police conduct certificate. In order to fully enforce these requirements, the Community Malta Agency (the Maltese government agency responsible for processing citizenship applications) also conducts extensive due diligence checks to make sure that the applicant and their dependents are suitable for citizenship.

Anyone with a criminal conviction of more than 1 year imprisonment is excluded from applying.

As for the medical report requirement, there is no explicit list of excluded conditions. However, typically transmissible diseases are the main concern, such as HIV and some types of tuberculosis, as well as medical conditions that are too costly to cure.

Non-Eligible Nationalities

Certain nationalities are currently excluded from applying for Maltese citizenship through this program. These include individuals from Russia, Belarus, Afghanistan, Iran, and North Korea, or those with significant ties to these countries. Citizens from countries on the US travel ban list are also ineligible.

Application Process and Timeline

Malta can be somewhat bureaucratic, so you should be aware in advance that getting citizenship by direct investment is quite a structured process with several stages and application procedures – and thus may take quite a bit of time. In fact, depending on how soon you can gather all the documentation together, the best case is that it takes a bit more than two years from the time you submit the residency application until you have your new passport in hand.

While we have provided a step-by-step account of each stage, note that there are three main stages that you will go through with your application:

  1. Residency stage: This is when you are granted permission to begin your residency in Malta. This will require you to pay a deposit of €10,000, which will be part of your non-refundable investment required for citizenship later on.
  2. Eligibility stage: At this stage you will undergo the due diligence process and pay the due diligence fees to the Community Malta Agency as discussed in the previous section. You’ll both submit a citizenship eligibility application while fulfilling your residency period, followed by the actual citizenship application after you have fulfilled the residency requirement.
  3. Investment stage: The final stage will require you to complete the three investment requirements; paying the non-refundable contribution, purchasing or renting real estate, and making the donation. Finally you’ll take the oath of allegiance and be granted Maltese citizenship

Of course, that’s the most simplified breakdown on how things will go down. Let’s take a look at a more detailed timeline of what to expect:

1. Signing the Power of Attorney

Initially, you will need to grant power of attorney to an agent who will act on your behalf throughout the application process. Getting an agent is mandatory and will allow them to handle all matters concerning your residency application, eligibility procedure, investment process, and final citizenship approval much more smoothly.

2. Residency Application

Once the power of attorney is in place, your agent will take the next crucial step: submitting your residency application. This process begins with collecting and submitting digital scans of all necessary documents. These include your passport, proof of address, and financial statements. Here are the required documents for your residency application:

  • Forms: CEA Form K/J, Form ID1A/ID2, and the Rental Declaration Form.
  • Identification: International Passports and Foreign Residency Cards.
  • Evidence of Dependency: Documents proving the relationship between the main applicant and dependents.
  • Financial Support: Benefactor’s declaration and bank statements, if applicable.
  • Housing: Property lease or purchase agreement.
  • Due Diligence: Comprehensive Tier 1 Due Diligence checks conducted by your agent.
  • Health Coverage: Proof of health insurance for all applicants.
  • Financial Records: 6 months of bank statements.

At this stage, you will need to make a few key payments as part of the application process:

  • €10,000 deposit, which will later contribute to your non-refundable capital contribution
  • €5,000 fee for the main applicant’s residence permit
  • €1,000 fee for the residence permit of each dependent
  • €27.50 fee for each family member’s residence card

Following the submission of your documents and payments, your agent will schedule a biometrics appointment for you and your family. During this appointment, you will provide biometric data such as fingerprints and photographs.

Provided all documents are in order, your residency cards will be issued within roughly 3 weeks of the biometrics appointment. Receiving these cards is a significant milestone, as it officially begins your required residency period in Malta. You must maintain this residency for either 36 months or 12 months, depending on your investment level, before you can apply for citizenship.

3. Submission of the Citizenship Eligibility Application

After receiving your residency card, the next step is submitting your citizenship eligibility application. This must be done within 12 months or 36 months from the date issued on your residence card – depending on which residency period selected. Your agent will facilitate this process, ensuring that all necessary documents and payments are in order.

The eligibility application process involves initial due diligence checks conducted by the Community Malta Agency. This step is crucial as it verifies your background and ensures that all provided information is accurate and complete. To cover the costs associated with these checks, you will need to pay due diligence fees, which are:

  • €15,000 for the main applicant
  • €10,000 for each dependent
  • €15,000 for a benefactor (if applicable)

4. Processing of the Eligibility Application

Once your agent submits the eligibility application, the Community Malta Agency will conduct a thorough review. This includes verifying your personal and financial background, checking for any discrepancies, and ensuring compliance with Maltese law. If any information is missing or unclear, the agency will issue an M1-B report, requesting additional details from your agent.

Upon successful completion of these checks and approval of your eligibility application, you will receive a letter of approval for eligibility. This letter allows you to move forward to the final steps of the citizenship application after completing the required residency period in Malta.

The total time required from payment and submission of the eligibility application until the receipt of the eligibility approval letter is approximately 6-8 months, assuming the application was complete at the time of submission.

5. Submission of the Citizenship Application and Approval

After receiving the eligibility approval letter and completing the required residency period (either 12 or 36 months, depending on your investment level), you will proceed to submit your citizenship application. At this stage, the Community Malta Agency will conduct an updated due diligence check. This comprehensive review reassesses your background and verifies that all information remains accurate and compliant with Maltese law.

There are no new due diligence fees at this time, but there is a €500 administrative fee for the main applicant and each dependent.

Once the updated due diligence is completed, the Community Malta Agency will present its findings to the Minister. The Minister reviews the application, and if everything is in order, issues a letter of approval in principle. This letter signifies that you have met the necessary requirements and are now on the final path to obtaining Maltese citizenship.

6. Evidence of Fulfillment of Citizenship Requirements

Within four months of receiving the letter of approval in principle, you must provide evidence that you have met all citizenship requirements. This includes proof of residence, property investment, and a donation to a local organization. The required investments are as follows:

  • Non-refundable capital contribution: €600,000 if applying after 36 months of residence, or €750,000 if applying after 12 months. An extra €50,000 is required for each dependent.
  • Real estate investment: Purchase a property worth at least €700,000 or rent a property with a minimum annual rent of €16,000, maintained for at least five years.
  • Donation: At least €10,000 to a Maltese registered philanthropic, cultural, sports, scientific, animal welfare, or artistic organization.

7. Issuance of Certificate of Naturalization

Once all requirements are verified, you and any dependents over 18 years must take the Oath of Allegiance in Malta within six months of receiving the approval in principle. Taking the oath is the final step before being granted Maltese citizenship. After the oath is taken, you will be issued a Certificate of Naturalization. The Community Malta Agency will continue to monitor your compliance with citizenship requirements for five years to ensure ongoing adherence to Maltese law.

Process timeline – How long will it all take?

  • Wait from application submission until biometrics appointment can be booked: Approximately 4 weeks after submitting the initial residency application.

  • Wait for biometrics appointment: Approximately 12 weeks from the time booking opens.

  • Residency card issued: Approximately 3 weeks after the biometrics appointment.

  • Citizenship Eligibility Application (CEA) processing time: Approximately 6-8 months from CEA submission. Assuming you make the CEA submission early enough this processing takes place while you fulfill your residency requirement, so it doesn’t add any further delay.

  • Citizenship Application processing time: Typically 6-8 months from submission until you receive the letter of approval in principle is received. Submission can take place after the residency requirement has been met.

  • Letter of invitation for Oath of Allegiance wait time: Typically 1-2 months after the Evidence of Fulfillment of Citizenship requirements (proof of residency, property investment, and donation) have been submitted.

  • Oath of Allegiance wait time: The Oath of Allegiance typically takes place around 1 month after you receive the invitation letter.

  • Certificate of Naturalization issued: Within a few days after taking the Oath of Allegiance.

  • Passport issuance: Applied for separately after receiving the certificate of naturalization, usually issued within the same week.

So all in all, depending on how quickly you complete each step you may have your passport in hand approximately two and a half years after you submit the initial residency application if you opt for the one-year residency requirement, give or take a few months. If you opt for the three-year residency period you can expect to have your passport in hand approximately four and a half years later.

Note that these estimates are based on the experience of CCLEX with their clients as of 2024.

Finding a Licensed Agent for Malta’s Citizenship by Investment

As mentioned, Malta can be quite bureaucratic, and the biggest challenge in the process will likely be gathering all the necessary documentation and completing all the relevant forms accurately.

With so much at stake in terms of fees and investment amounts, you don’t want to risk rejection due to paperwork errors. Fortunately, you won’t have to navigate this process alone. It is required to engage a licensed agent to assist you throughout the entire process. These agents are essential for ensuring that your application is complete and meets all the necessary requirements, significantly increasing the likelihood of a successful outcome.

While all these steps may seem overwhelming, rest assured that your licensed agent will guide you every step of the way, making the process as smooth and straightforward as possible.

But beware, not all agents are created equal!

Approval rates vary widely between different agents. It is very important to select a reputable agent, as there are many out there but statistically speaking, only a handful of agents process the majority of the applications– and thus are the only ones with enough experience to avoid the main pitfalls and potential issues down the road.

Since the choice of agent can have a significant impact on your application process and eventual approval, I’d recommend choosing your agent wisely. We personally have good experience working with CCLEX/ACC Advisors Ltd (license number AKM-ACCA), which you can contact below:

Learn more about CCLEX

Official List of Licensed Agents

There is also an official list of licensed agents authorized to assist with the Maltese Citizenship by Direct Investment program. This list is maintained by the Community Malta Agency and includes all agents who have met the requirements to provide such services. If you choose to work with a different agent, please verify that they are included there.

But again, remember to choose wisely and make sure the agent has extensive experience in handling these kinds of applications before.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Malta Citizenship-by-Investment program

FAQs ↺

Is there any minimum stay requirement during the 12-36 month residency period?

Yes, you must spend at least 30 days per year in Malta to qualify for citizenship. That said, establishing additional connections to Malta is also considered very important.

Do dependent children have to be dependent still when you receive citizenship or just at the start of the residency stage?

Dependent children must remain dependent until after the application process. They can’t have their own source of income until after the approval has been given. The same goes for financially dependent parents or grandparents.

How long do I need to hold my investment?

You need to hold your real estate investment for at least five years. This applies to both purchasing a property and renting one under the specified investment requirements. You are also not allowed to sublet your property during the 5-year period.

Can I switch between renting and buying real estate during the residency period?

Yes, you can switch between renting and buying real estate during the residency period. However, you must meet the investment requirements for the entire duration. For instance, if you start by renting a property, it must have a minimum annual rent of €16,000. Later, you can choose to purchase a property, provided you maintain the investment criteria throughout the residency period.

What is required to open a Maltese bank account, and can it be done remotely?

To open a Maltese bank account, you will typically need to provide the following documents:

  • Proof of identity (e.g., passport)
  • Proof of address (e.g., utility bill or lease agreement)
  • Bank reference or credit history
  • Employment details or source of funds

Many Maltese banks allow you to open an account remotely, but the process can vary. Non-residents often need additional documentation, such as certified copies of passports, proof of residence, and a bank reference from their home country.

Recommended Maltese banks:

  • MeDirect: Easy to open remotely for Maltese residents, MeDirect offers multi-currency accounts and a debit card. The entire process can be completed online.
  • Bank of Valletta (BOV): As Malta’s largest bank, BOV offers a full range of services but requires in-person onboarding.
  • BNF: Opening an account with BNF generally involves significant paperwork, including ID, proof of address, and employment details. A €500 term deposit is often required. Despite the bureaucracy, it’s less demanding than other traditional banks.

You can learn more about the banks and the general account opening process in our article about opening bank accounts in Malta.

Unanswered questions?

If you still have questions about the article or the MCES program, please post them in our Malta forum.

If you are ready to move forward, contact CCLEX or another licensed agent for assistance and legal advice.

The usual disclaimer: Nothing in this article should be considered legal or investment advice. It is merely a best effort representation of the information I have gathered through countless hours of online and offline research into the subject. If you want definitive answers to specific questions, please consult your lawyer. If you don’t yet have a lawyer, click here to see the most popular law firms among our readers.

Cover image credit: Nomad Gate. License image for free.