MALTA CITIZENSHIP BY INVESTMENT - INDIVIDUAL INVESTOR PROGRAMME (IIP)

Malta High Net Worth Immigration - Overview and Malta Guide

The Maltese archipelago lies virtually at the centre of the Mediterranean, 93 km south of Sicily and 288 km north of Africa. The archipelago consists of three islands: Malta, Gozo and Comino. In 2014, the population of Malta was estimated to be 445,000 inhabitants, occupying an area of 316 square kilometers.

Malta is the largest island and the cultural, commercial and administrative centre. Gozo is the second largest island and is more rural, characterised by fishing, tourism, crafts and agriculture. Comino, the smallest of the trio, has one hotel and is largely uninhabited. Malta is renowned for sunny weather, attractive beaches, a thriving nightlife and 7,000 years of intriguing history, medieval towers, wayside chapels and the oldest known human structures in the world.

Contact VisaConnect's specialist Consultants, together with our partner Malta Lawyers, in 2020, for advice and assistance with an application for the Malta Individual Investor Programme to obtain Malta Citizenship and a Malta EU Passport! Maltese Citizenship allows the applicant and their family to live, work, and study on the incredible island of Malta through an investment in Malta Property (Real Estate) and financial contribution!

Why apply for Citizenship by Investment, in Malta?

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 - According to the Global Passport Index (2019), the Maltese passport ranks 4th in terms of travel freedom. Travel visa-free to 182 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 Individual Investor Programme (IIP) - IIP program commenced in 2014, and is the first investment citizenship program of its type to be recognized by the European Commission, and the executive body of the European Union has formally acknowledged the legality of the program.

IIP Program Quota - The Individual Investor Programme Malta is strictly capped at 1800 applicants, making it the most exclusive citizenship scheme available.

IIP Application Process - 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. If you have already met the Malta residency requirement of the Individual Investor Program, you can secure citizenship in Malta in just 6 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 for IIP Citizenship in Malta

What is the Property investment amount for the Malta Citizenship by Investment Programme?

1. Financial Contribution - All individuals and families applying to the Malta Individual Investor Program must make a significant non-refundable contribution to the National Development and Social Fund set up by the Government of Malta and run by a board of trustees. The fund, which is on the same level as the central bank, finances projects in the country linked to public health, education, job creation, social improvement, and innovation. Also, see VisaConnect's PDF document: Malta IIP Citizenship by Investment in 2018:

The following contributions must be made within four months of being issued a Malta IIP Letter of Approval in Principle:

Main applicant - €650,000

Spouse - €25,000

Minor children - €25,000 each

Children 18-26 (unmarried) - €50,000 each

Dependent parents & grandparents - €50,000 each

Adult children (physically or mentally challenged) - €50,000 each

2. Real Estate Purchase or Rental - Applicants must commit to retaining an immovable residence in Malta for a minimum time period of five years. This can be done by either:

Buying a Property in Malta for at least €350,000 and maintaining ownership for 5+ years.

Leasing a Property in Malta for five years or more with a minimum annual rent of €16,000.

Residence Requirement - After purchasing real estate or signing a property lease in Malta, investor citizenship candidates are issued a Malta identity document called an eResidence card. This signifies the commencement of their residency in Malta and also demonstrates the candidate's genuine link with the country. 12 months after an applicant has established residency in Malta, applicants who have maintained residence in the country will be granted citizenship. You do not need to spend all 365 days in Malta before citizenship is granted, Maltese law defines residence as "an intention to reside in Malta for any fiscal year, usually evidenced by a stay of a minimum of 183 days or by the purchase/rental of property together with a visit to Malta."

3. Bonds Investment - Applicants must make an investment of €150,000 worth of Government approved financial instruments to be held for at least five years. The securities may also be liquidated after a five year holding period.

Malta IIP - New Law Changes effective from September 2020

Malta Permanent Residence Permit - Malta IIP

New Law changes to the Malta Individual Investor Proigramme (IIP) were ammounced on 3 July 2020, and took effect from September 2020. These changes are as follows:

Qualifying Investment

There will be 2 options leading to Malta Citizenship:

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

Investment Amounts

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 – while previously €350,000.

2. Rental of Property - For rentals, the minim rental amount is at €18,000, while previously set at €16,000.

3. Investment in in Stocks, Bonds, or other Investment vehicles - Regarding the investment of €150,000 in stocks, bonds, or other investment vehicles, the Government still has not yet pronounced this. However, it is expected that they will be removed, and no longer required.

4. Mandatory Donation - A mandatory donation of €10,000 will be required.

Malta Individual Investor Programme (IIP) - Application Process

Outlined below are the IIP Application Process Steps 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 by investment application.

5. Processing - Processing and Due diligence carried out on the application by Identity Malta

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 Residence by Investment Programme

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