Malta

Welcome to the pristine crown jewel of Europe – the archipelago of Malta. With its many cozy nooks and corners, hidden ancient temples, romantic seaside coves, and fossil-flecked mountains, Malta is an adventurer’s paradise. Come make your home in a country that never ceases to surprise.

The Malta Citizenship by Investment program was set up by the Government of Malta. The program invites foreign investors to invest funds in the developmental sectors of the country. The country also offers a residency by investment program.

• 7th strongest passport in the world
• Ability to live and work freely across Europe Union
• Right to attend any university of choice across the EU for free or for a minimum special tuition fee
• Diplomatic protection in any third country
• Complete access to all EU education, healthcare, banking, real estate, and commercial facilities
• Visa-free flexible travel to 147 countries, including Canada, the UK, and the Schengen states
• Lifetime citizenship which can be passed down to generations
• Application covers dependent children under the age of 27 and dependent parents above the age of 55
• Double taxation treaties with 82 nations
• Special trade incentives and tax reliefs

The Citizenship by Investment program in Malta, also known the Malta Individual Investor Programme (MIIP), is available for interested nationals (excluding nationals of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Islamic Republic of Iran, and Democratic People’s Republic of North Korea) through the passing of the Legal Notice 2014.

Minimum qualifications for interested applicants are:

• Persons above the age of 18
• Persons possessing fair and legal capital, worthy of investment
• Persons with no criminal history
• Persons in good health
• Persons who have obtained a residency status valid for one year.

Non-Eligible Countries: Iran, N.Korea, Afghanistan

One of the prime trade spots in Europe, Malta is at the heart of European commerce. Applicants to the Citizenship by Investment program will find multiple avenues for investment in Malta. Applicants also have the option of doing business with other EU states post-processing of applications.

In order to be eligible, applicants must satisfy all the following investment criteria: 

 Contribution + Investment in Bonds + Property

• Contribution to public national development funds

Applicants can invest in public funds which are used for National development and maintenance and the upkeep of civic facilities. Single applicants must pay a minimum of €750,000, with an addition of €25,000 for spouse and dependent children below age 18. Dependent children above age 18 must pay €50,000.

• Investment in bonds

Interested applicants must make a minimum investment of €150,000 in Government-approved bonds. Bondholders must retain ownership of the bonds for five consecutive years after the date of purchase, before being eligible for resale.

• Real estate

Applicants considering property investment can purchase real estate upon the investment of €350,000 or more in fresh property or through a rental contract amounting to a minimum of €16,000 p.a. Properties must be held for five years before being put up for resale.

1. MALTA EXCEPTIONAL DIRECT INVESTMENT (NON-REFUNDABLE DONATION TO THE MALTA GOVERNMENT):

     Main applicant: Choose between EUR 600,000 (36 months residency period) or EUR 750,000 (12 months residency period)

     Each dependent (if any): EUR 50,000

2. MALTA PHILANTHROPIC DONATION:

     Main applicant only: EUR 10,000

3. MALTA PROPERTY INVESTMENT (MINIMUM 5 YEAR HOLDING PERIOD):

     Main applicant only: Choose between a property purchase at EUR 700,000 or a property rental at EUR 16,000 per year

4. MALTA GOVERNMENT FEES:

     Residence permit fee, main applicant: EUR 5,000. Each dependent (if any): EUR 1,000

     Residence card: EUR 27.50 per card

     Citizenship eligibility due diligence fee, main applicant: EUR 15,000. Each dependent age 12 and over (if any): EUR 10,000

     Citizenship eligibility administrative fee, each applicant: EUR 1,000

     Citizenship administrative fee, each applicant: EUR 500

5. LEGAL FEES:

     Depending on the number of family members to be included. Please ask us about a custom quotation for you / your family.

• Can I include my family with my Malta citizenship application?

Yes. The main applicant for Maltese citizenship may include a spouse or long-term partner (gender neutral), children under 18 years of age, financially dependent adult children under the age of 29, and parents and grandparents over the age of 55.

• Will my citizenship expire?

No. When you acquire Malta citizenship you and your family enjoy full citizenship for life, which can be passed on to future generations by descent.

• Approximately how long does the application process take until I am granted citizenship?

A: The Malta citizenship application process is performed in two main stages: the first stage is Malta residency, the second stage is Malta citizenship. The residency stage takes approximately 15 working days to process, after which residency status is conferred upon the applicant. The main applicant and any dependents are provided with an E-Residence document which is equivalent to a Schengen Visa, granting Malta residency and borderless travel to all Schengen countries.

After you receive residency status your assigned attorney will work with you on preparing your citizenship eligibility application. The application can be filed immediately after you have been in residency status for 12 months (or 36 months, depending on your choice of investment option).

Average citizenship stage processing durations have not been established as of yet. Previous citizenship application processing times have ranged from 3 to 6 months.

•  Will the Malta citizenship automatically grant me European citizenship?

Yes. Because Malta is a member of the European Union its citizens are automatically European citizens, which means you are allowed to live, work or study anywhere in Europe.

• Will I be able to travel to the United States with the Malta passport?

 Yes. The Malta passport will allow you to travel to the U.S. under the visa waiver program which allows citizens of participating countries to travel to the United States without a visa for stays of 90 days or less. Source: U.S. Government

Make Malta your second home 

Visa-Free Countries

417, 432
POPULATION
US$30,500
GDP nominal (per capita)
US$19.721 billion
GDP (purchasing power parity)

CAPITAL CITY
Valletta
TIME ZONE
Central European Time Zone (UTC+01:00)
TOTAL AREA
316 km2
LANGUAGES
Maltese, English
CURRENCY
Euro €
MAIN INDUSTRY
Tourism, electronics, ship building and repair, construction
SCHENGEN/ EU
Full EU & Schengen Area Member State

KEY ADVANTAGES

• Dual Citizenship allowed
• Full member of Schengen
• Favorable tax regime

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Disclaimer
The materials contained in this page are provided for general information purposes only and are not intended to provide legal or other professional advice. Processing times and costs will vary depending on a number of factors. CitizenMatch is not responsible for any changes to the time and cost estimates; we can provide specific information on an individual basis. All rights reserved.