Many foreigners choose to settle in Malta to take advantage of its thriving economy, stable society, and effective government. As a member of the Schengen Area, Malta also benefits from a strong democratic tradition. If you're considering becoming a citizen or resident of Malta, here are the options available to you.
Reminder about Malta's Individual Investor Programme (IIP Malta)
Between 2014 and 2020, Malta's Individual Investor Programme (IIP Malta) allowed foreign investors to apply for Maltese citizenship. Today, the MIIPA agency, which used to IIP Malta applications, no longer accepts requests simply because this program has been replaced by a new initiative: the Maltese Exceptional Investment Naturalization (MEIN).
During its existence, the IIP Malta program has been criticized by Maltese citizens feeling that through it, the government was selling Maltese nationality. Nevertheless, thanks to the funds collected, Malta has been able to invest massively听in social housing, healthcare facilities, and improvements to care centers. These structures proved to be very useful during the pandemic.
Why apply for Maltese nationality?
Malta allows foreigners to obtain citizenship under different conditions.听Here are some of the benefits of having Maltese nationality:
- Right to reside in all EU countries;
- Access to all investment opportunities available to Maltese citizens;
- Ease of traveling to many countries.
Moreover, holding a Maltese passport allows you to travel to 187 countries without a visa.
How to obtain Maltese nationality by investment?
As mentioned above, the Maltese Exceptional Investment Naturalization (MEIN) replaced the Malta's Individual Investor Programme (IIP Malta) in 2020. Here are the key requirements to benefit from this new program and obtain Maltese citizenship by investment.
Becoming a Maltese citizen through the Maltese Exceptional Investment Naturalization (MEIN)
The Maltese Exceptional Investment Naturalization allows foreigners to obtain Maltese citizenship by investment. This program rewards individuals and their families who contribute to the country's economic growth.
The was established by the government to address all questions related to Maltese citizenship.
The granting of citizenship by naturalization for exceptional services by direct investment is governed by the .
Eligibility criteria for naturalization through MEIN
Foreigners eligible for Maltese citizenship by investment must meet the following听criteria:
- Be at least 18 years old;
- Pass an eligibility test;
- Have a clean criminal record;
- Not originate from a sanctioned country;
- Provide proof of having resided in Malta for a period of 36 months before obtaining citizenship, although this period can exceptionally be reduced to a minimum of 12 months;
- Meet various investment requirements.
If you do not yet reside in Malta, you will need to obtain a residential address and apply for your electronic residence card from Identity Malta.
Foreign investors applying for Maltese nationality are not required to be physically present in the country for the entire 36 or 12 months to be considered residents.
The main applicant for the MEIN card can include the following family members, who are then considered as "dependents":
- The spouse in a monogamous relationship (marriage, civil union, domestic partnership, common-law union);
- The child under 18 years of age of the main applicant or their spouse;
- Unmarried children under 29 years of age and financially supported by the main applicant;
- Parents over 55 years of age and entirely dependent on the main applicant;
- The child over 18 years of age of the main applicant or their spouse suffering from a recognized disability.
Investment conditions to obtain Maltese citizenship through MEIN
To obtain Maltese citizenship through MEIN, you need to meet certain conditions:
- Investing听at least 鈧�600,000 allows for applying for citizenship after 36 months of residence in Malta.
- Investing at least 鈧�750,000 allows for applying for citizenship after 12 months of residence in Malta.
Regardless of the scheme, you need to factor in an additional investment of 鈧�50,000 per dependent.
Good to know:
The investment is non-refundable.
In addition to the main investment, other investments are required for obtaining Maltese nationality:
- Buying a residential property in Malta worth at least 鈧�700,000;
- Renting accommodation in Malta for a minimum annual rent of 鈧�16,000 for a minimum period of 5 years from the date of issuance of the citizenship certificate.
In both cases, the property must be adequate and suitable for the needs of the applicant and their dependents.
- Making an exceptional direct investment in Malta, in accordance with the .
- Finally, donating听a minimum amount of 鈧�10,000 to a registered non-governmental organization with philanthropic, cultural, sporting, scientific, animal protection, or artistic purposes, or approved by the Komunit脿 Malta Agency.
Required documents for Maltese naturalization by MEIN
All required documents must be written in English or accompanied by an authenticated translation. By collaborating with an accredited agent (see information below in the "Final Notes" section), ensure you are submitting the听following documents along with the Maltese citizenship application:
- Health certificate stating that you do not suffer from any contagious disease and that you are in good health;
- Police report issued by the Maltese police and the local police of any other place where you have resided for more than six months over the last ten years;
- Proof that you and your family members are fit to work;
- The commitment to pay your full contribution;
- The commitment to invest in real estate in the country or in other businesses;
- Any other personal, travel, and financial documents related, as well as any other documents requested by government authorities.
Please note that applications and documents must be completed in English. Otherwise, the document must be accompanied by an authenticated translation into English.
Application procedure for Maltese naturalization by MEIN
To apply for Maltese citizenship by investment, you will听follow a specific procedure. Here are the main steps:
Residence application: a non-refundable deposit of 鈧�10,000 must be paid to the Community Malta Agency. This amount is included in the total investment of 鈧�600,000 or 鈧�750,000.
Submission of eligibility assessment: the Maltese government conducts a preliminary check and performs a strict background check on you and your dependents. As the main applicant, you will pay 鈧�15,000 for this procedure. An additional 鈧�10,000 per dependent is required. Thereafter, the ministry issues a principle approval.
Submission of the naturalization application with proof that you have made the required investments: you have four months to meet all the conditions for Maltese citizenship by investment. You can then听apply for Maltese citizenship. Expect a processing fee of 鈧�500.
Oath of allegiance and application for a Maltese passport: the oath of allegiance must be taken within six months following the date of issuance of the principle approval letter.
Important:
Maltese authorities always verify the authenticity of the information provided on all applicants and their dependents.
MEIN has a quota of 1,500 applications. Moreover, Malta grants a maximum of听400 passports per year. However, these figures concern the main applicants. Applications from dependents may exceed these numbers.
Make sure to fully understand all the tax implications related to Maltese citizenship by naturalization before starting the application process.
Additional fees apply, including passport fees, government due diligence fees, and bank charges.
Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP)听
Even though Maltese citizenship by naturalization for exceptional services by direct investment offers many benefits, you may not be ready to commit to it. The alternative is to apply for permanent residence by investment through the Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP).
This program requires:
- The rental of a property for a minimum amount of 鈧�14,000 in Malta or Gozo; or
- The purchase of a property with a minimum value of 鈧�375,000 in Malta or Gozo;
- The payment of a government contribution of 鈧�30,000 for the purchase of a property or 鈧�60,000 for renting a property;
- The payment of 鈧�10,000 for each dependent of the main applicant;
- Holding the real estate property for a minimum period of 5 years, after which a residential address is required;
- The donation of 鈧�2,000 to a local NGO with philanthropic, cultural, scientific, artistic, sporting, or animal protection purposes, registered with the Commissioner for Voluntary Organizations of Malta.
The Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) allows you to enjoy the benefits of permanent residence in Malta, such as visa-free access to the Schengen area, a thriving economy, a favorable tax system, and good healthcare.
Taxation for new citizens of Malta
Malta has a very advantageous tax system. As a Maltese citizen, you will be exempt from inheritance tax, wealth tax, municipal taxes, or property tax.
Maltese tax听is based on residence and source of income, not on citizenship.听Therefore, foreigner听investors who do not live in Malta and whose income comes from foreign sources, are not taxable by the Maltese tax authorities. Foreign assets and income are taxed at the source, which exempts you from taxes听in Malta.
Final notes on Maltese naturalization for exceptional investment
The application for naturalization under MEIN must be submitted to the Maltese authorities by an accredited agent, i.e., a lawyer who is knowledgeable about the Maltese citizenship and real estate laws.
While Malta allows dual nationality,听you are advised听to check with your home听country's authorities for their own requirements. Having significant ties with certain countries, particularly the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and North Korea, can be a considerable obstacle to your MEIN application.
Good to know:
There is no citizenship exam or language test for obtaining Maltese citizenship through MEIN.
Citizenship can also be passed on to your descendants.
FAQ on Maltese naturalization for exceptional investment
What is the MEIN Malta program?
It is intended for non-Maltese citizens who wish to obtain Maltese citizenship by investing in Malta.
How much do you need to invest in Malta to obtain citizenship?
To obtain Maltese citizenship, you must make a minimum investment of 鈧�600,000 if you have completed 36 months of residence in Malta, or 鈧�750,000 for a one-year residence in Malta.
Moreover, you must purchase a residential property in Malta worth 鈧�700,000 or rent a property with an annual rental value of 鈧�16,000 for a period of five years. Finally, you must make a philanthropic donation.
How long does it take to obtain Maltese citizenship by investment?
Obtaining Maltese nationality by investment is a rather fast process. In many countries, naturalization can be obtained after 6 to 12 years of residence. Maltese naturalization by exceptional investment allows you to become Maltese after 36 months.
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