Malta Citizenship by Investment

Why apply for Malta Citizenship for Exceptional Services?

• EU Country - Since 2004, Malta has been a member of the European Union (EU) and is a highly respected country. Citizenship of Malta offers the right to live, work and study in any of the 28 EU countries and Switzerland. Also, you can benefit from Free movement of People, Goods, Services and Capital, within the EU.
• Schengen Area - Malta has been a member of the Schengen Area of Europe since 2007. This allows a Maltese citizen to travel to 26 European countries without going through any border control.
• Visa FREE Travel - in 2023 - According to the Henley Passport Index, in 2023 Q1, the Maltese passport ranks 8th in terms of travel freedom. Travel visa-free to 185 countries, including the EU, US, UK and Canada.
• Location - Malta is an attractive place to live or to own a second home and is strategically located with excellent air links.
• Politics and Economy - Stable political climate, bi-partisan political scene and growing economy. The European Commission's economic analysts forecast an economic growth of 4.8% in 2020.
• Banks - Unlike many neighboring EU countries, Malta has an excellent credit rating (BBB+) and their government bonds are in high demand. The country has also never imposed a tax on deposits in Maltese banks, dissimilar to nearby Cyprus who imposed a one-time tax levy in 2013 which included offshore bank accounts.
• Malta Citizenship by Naturalisation for Exceptional Services - Program Quota - The Malta Citizenship for Exceptional Services is strictly capped at 400 applicants per year, with a total maximum number of applicants fixed at 1,500 for the complete scheme/programme. This makes it the most exclusive citizenship scheme available.
• Maltese Citizenship for Exceptional Services - Application Process - The application process is smooth and efficient. The government of Malta is committed to the highest standard of due diligence and vetting of investor applicants ensuring only persons of impeccable standing and good reputation will be admitted.
• No Tax consequences of Residence - If an individual moves their primary residence to Malta, they can retain the status of a "non-domiciled" person and therefore have an extremely advantageous tax exposure. Candidates that become a resident of Malta but are not domiciled in the country are only required to pay tax on any income they earn or receive in the country.
• Benefits of Tax System - Malta has no municipal taxes, no estate duty, no death or inheritance taxes, and no wealth or net worth taxes. Malta also has double taxation treaties with approximately 60 countries around the world. The corporate tax rate in Malta is 35%, but special tax concessions apply to non-resident or non-domiciled company owners.
• Dual Citizenship - Individuals that obtain a second citizenship by investment are not required by Maltese law to renounce their existing citizenship.
• Children Inherit EU Citizenship - Any child born to a parent who is a Maltese citizen will also be a citizen of Malta. This means children born to men or women who obtained Maltese nationality via the Individual Investor Program will be full European citizens even if their place of birth is not in Europe.
• Citizenship Within 1 Year - The minimum amount of time needed to gain Malta Citizenship by investment is 12 months.
• No Citizenship or Language Test - There are no citizenship tests included in the Malta investment program, and applicants are not required to know Maltese or even English to be accepted into the financial citizenship program.

Investment Requirements - Malta Citizenship by Naturalisation

On 3 July 2020, new Law changes to the Malta Individual Investor Programme (Malta IIP) were announced, and the new Malta Citizenship Program was named the 'Malta Citizenship for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment', and this new law change took effect from 30 September 2020. See the new Rules below and also VisaConnect's PDF document: Malta Citizenship by Exceptional Services for Direct Investment, in 2024

Qualifying Investment

There will be 2 options leading to Malta Citizenship for High Net Worth Immigrants, based on the Contribution amount:

A. 3-Year residence requirement - Applicant Investor's will be able to make a contribution of €600,000 EUR for the principal applicant and €50,000 for every dependant. They will be able to apply for citizenship after 3 years of effective residence.

B. 1-Year residence requirement - Should the Applicants wish to apply for citizenship after 12 months, applicants will need to make a contribution of €750,000 EUR for the principal applicant and €50,000 for every dependant applicant.

Investment Amount

There will be a cap of 400 approved applications per year with an overall number of 1,500 applications. See the new investment amounts below:

1. Purchase of Property - The minimum property (Real Estate) value is set in at €700,000 EUR & while previously €350,000. The Property must be held for 5 years.

2. Rental of Property - For rentals, the minimum rental amount is at €16,000 EUR, and held for five years. Previously, the rental amount was set at the same rate of €16,000. Note that the property cannot be sublet during this five-year period. A 36-month (or 18-month, by exception) lease agreement or property purchase is required during the residence period.

3. Mandatory Donation - A mandatory donation of €10,000 EUR to a registered sport, cultural, scientific, philanthropic, animal welfare, or artistic non-governmental organization or society, as approved by the Community Malta Agency.

Investment in Stocks, Bonds, or other Investment vehicles - No longer required. Previous investment was €150,000 in stocks, bonds, or other investment vehicles.

Application Process - Malta Citizenship by Naturalisation for Exceptional Services

Outlined below is the Application Process to obtain Malta Citizenship and a Malta Passport:

1. Passports - Client sends passport page to the Malta Lawyer for Police clearance certificate.

2. Visit Malta - Submit the Residence Permit application, in Malta, and do the following:

• Lease or Buy property
• Buy a global health insurance
• Provide recent Bank statements
• Undergo Biometrics

3. E-Residence Card Issued.

4. Citizenship Application - Prepare and Submit Citizenship for Exceptional Services by Direct investment application to Community Malta Agency.

5. Processing - Processing and Due diligence carried out on the application by Community Malta Agency, which is the competent Maltese Government Agency responsible for administering and granting Malta Citizenship for Exceptional Services Regulations.

6. Application approval - Approval of application and contribution to be made.

7. Oath of Allegiance - Requirement for the main applicant and all dependents aged 18 and above to take the Oath of Allegiance in Malta.

8. Government Bond - Purchase or lease of property and Purchase Government Bonds.

9. Malta Passports Issued - Apply for and collect Malta Passports.

Malta Permanent Residency Programme (MPRP)

For assistance in applying for the Malta Residency by Investment programme - Malta Permanent Residency Program (MPRP), eligibility criteria, and how our Immigration Consultants can assist you to buy a Property in Malta, click on the following VisaConnect website pages:

• Malta Permanent Residency Program (MPRP)
• Buy Investment Property In Malta

Useful Links - Malta Citizenship by Direct Investment

• Community Malta Agency - Agenzija Komunita Malta
• Granting of Citizenship for Exceptional Services - Subsidiary Legislation 188.06
• Licensed Agents List - Approved and licensed by Community Malta Agency