Many people are interested in the conditions of citizenship registration in Malta - a warm, safe and inexpensive country located on island archipelagos in the Mediterranean Sea. According to an independent study by CEOWORLD, this EU country ranks 31st out of 199 in the World Quality of Life Index with a personal score of 90.8 out of 100. Among the strengths of the country are economic stability, high income level of the population, political neutrality, developed health care and education systems.

According to Passport Index, the Maltese passport is the 7th strongest on the planet. With it one can visit without a visa most of the countries of the world, including the USA, Canada, China, UAE and the whole territory of Europe. The document gives the holder all the rights and powers of a citizen of the European Union. For example, you get the opportunity to live with your family in any of the EU countries without time restrictions, to represent the interests of your business, to use popular grant and investment programs.

Realities of 2025: laws and trends  

The rules for passport issuance in the Republic of Malta are regulated by the national Citizenship Act. For foreigners who have no relatives in the country, a standard naturalization procedure is available. Its conditions are quite loyal - you must live on the island from 5 years with residence permit and know the national language. In other countries of Southern Europe, such as Spain or Italy, naturalization takes at least 10 years.

Malta's economy is based on tourism, hotel and restaurant business, services and entertainment - there are no large production and industrial enterprises. Therefore, the state is actively developing all kinds of relocation programs for foreigners, regulated by the Immigration Act of September 21, 1970. Here it is easy to get a residence permit for those who have remote or passive income, want to do business or work in the state.

Malta is one of the few EU states that have investment immigration programs. Example - MPRP (Malta Permanent Residence Program), whose participants immediately receive a residence permit when renting/buying real estate for a set amount, payment of administrative fees and charitable contributions. There is also a law “On granting citizenship for exceptional merit”, according to which you can get a Maltese passport in just 1-3 years after moving in exchange for large investments in the economy.

Other EU countries such as Romania, Slovenia and Bulgaria have simpler passport programs that can be completed in 4-12 months without a large investment. You can obtain EU citizenship and move to Malta as a family without additional requirements. Find out more about this with a free legal consultation.

Expanded opportunities: what the Maltese passport gives you

Malta is one of the main relocation destinations for foreign companies, especially in the IT industry. Many transfer their business here, including registering as sole proprietorships, to reduce the tax burden. The conditions for citizens are as loyal as possible - personal income tax can be zero (for annual income up to 12 000 EUR), and in any case it does not exceed 35%. There are various benefits for individuals and legal entities, such as a refundable bonus in each quarter. Businesses often do not pay levies on royalties and dividends.

A Maltese passport entitles you to live on the island without time restrictions, enjoying all the national privileges such as free education or quality medicine. The archipelago, located in the middle of the sea in the zone of comfortable subtropical climate with an average annual temperature of 23 °C and wide beach areas, is definitely a good choice for a move. Here English is the second official language (after Maltese), which greatly simplifies the adaptation of immigrants from different countries.

As a citizen of Malta, you get the right to use private and public funding programs for different categories of people. For example, you can get a grant to study at the University of Malta - a popular university, most programs in which are taught in English. The economic development agency Malta Enterprise provides businessmen with all kinds of assistance, for example, it pays up to 100 000 EUR for the development of start-ups, gives subsidies for office rent and organizes professional courses.

Together with a Maltese passport you acquire EU citizenship, which gives you many advantages, including:

• free change of residence throughout the territory of the European Union without having to find a reason to open a residence permit;
• official work within the association, where the average salary, according to Eurostat, is about 38,000 EUR per year;
• opening and running a business in the EU with access to incentive programs of various public and private institutions (for example, European Regional Development Fund);
• visa-free visits to more than 160 countries all over the planet and simplified opening of residence permits abroad;
• access to the services of reliable European banks, modern clinics, free access to educational courses in prestigious universities;
• citizenship for your children and descendants, and for your spouse - participation in accelerated family procedures.

Ways to become a citizen of Malta

There are two main ways for immigrants to obtain Maltese citizenship - naturalization and investment. There are also family programs for children and spouses of local citizens.

Naturalization

A foreigner can become a citizen of Malta after spending a total of 60 months in the island for 7 years with a temporary residence permit. The year preceding the application must be spent in the state without leaving the country. In order to move to the island, a residence permit must first be obtained on one of the legal grounds, such as:

• entering into a work contract with a Maltese company;
• incorporation of a company, including the establishment of a start-up;
• enrolling in a private or public university;
• living on one's own account (relevant for pensioners);
• moving as a digital nomad (with remote work);
• buying or renting real estate on the island (permanent residency is granted immediately);
• reunification with close relatives;
• humanitarian reasons, including refugee processing.

Naturalization in Malta is available to adult residents who are fluent in any of the official languages, have demonstrated law-abiding behavior and have no criminal record.

Investment

You cannot officially buy Maltese citizenship, but you can get it in a simplified procedure for investing in the local economy. The period of obtaining a passport depends on the amount of investment:

• 12 months.
  You will obtain the status of Maltese citizen in a year after moving to Malta, if you invest in the economy of 750 000 EUR. In addition, you need to buy a house worth 700,000 EUR or rent it for a five-year term with payment from 16,000 EUR per year.
• 36 months.
  The waiting period for a Maltese passport increases to three years if your investment is 600 thousand EUR. The requirements for buying/renting real estate remain the same.

Prior to the issuance of a Maltese passport, the applicant will be checked for compliance with the “Citizenship for Exceptional Merit Regulations (SL 188.06)”. In addition, it will be necessary to make a charitable contribution of 10 thousand EUR to one of the funds approved by the state, for example, for the development of sports or environmental protection. Investors are exempted from the need to pass the language exam.

Maltese citizenship for children and family aspects

As in other EU countries, Malta has the principle of “blood rights”. This means that citizenship is granted to a child who has at least one parent with a local passport. The rule also applies to children who were born in other states. The child of foreigners cannot apply for citizenship by right of blood, but has the opportunity to participate in a simplified registration program (subject to certain conditions).

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Registration

If you are related to the Maltese people, you can immediately apply for local citizenship without additional requirements. The simplified procedure applies to the following categories of applicants:

• children whose mothers were born on the island before September 1964 but did not hold a local passport at the time of their death;
• a child born to a Maltese woman in another country no later than July 1989;
• persons whose ancestors in two generations were born in Malta, say the father and one of his parents.

Marriage                                              

You can obtain a passport in a simplified procedure if you are the husband or wife of a Maltese citizen. It is important that the marriage is registered at least five years ago. The application is accepted if the spouses have a joint household, which is specified in a special declaration. A widow/widower of a Maltese citizen is also eligible if their marital union lasted longer than 5 years at the time of their spouse's death. Passport through marriage is issued without additional requirements, but the authorities strictly monitor cases of fictitious relationships.

Having a passport of any EU country gives you all the rights of a Maltese citizen. You can obtain a second EU document in a maximum of one year without investing in the economy, passing a language exam and providing proof of income. Today you have a chance to get free legal advice on the peculiarities of simplified citizenship programs in Europe.

Algorithm of actions: how to pass the way to Maltese citizenship

Obtaining a passport of a citizen of Malta by naturalization in 2025 is as follows:

1. Applying for a residence permit and visa.
   You independently or with the help of immigration lawyers determine the way of opening a Maltese residence permit and prepare the necessary documents. You can apply for a residence permit through the official Identità website or by contacting the Maltese diplomatic mission in your place of residence. If your application is approved, you will be given a permit document, with which you need to obtain a national visa D by appointment at the consulate/embassy or visa application center (VAC). The whole procedure takes 3 to 5 weeks on average.
2. Moving and living as a resident.
   Once your visa has been processed, you fly to Malta where you apply for a residence permit at Identita offices. You will need to submit biometric data, take a photo and wait 10 working days for the finished document. The standard residence permit is valid for up to a year and can be extended by re-applying to Identita at least one month before the current status is revoked. You will need to follow immigration procedures until your total stay on the island is 60 months (within one 7-year period).
3. Applying for citizenship.
   The Community Malta Agency is responsible for naturalization on the island. First you apply there to check your status (term) of residence on the island and get a certificate. Then you need to prepare documents and apply for naturalization (by appointment). You will need to bring two witnesses from among the citizens of the state by birth/registration with you to the appointment. One of them must be related to the public service, including the Bar association.
4. Obtaining citizenship status and paperwork.
   The time limit for processing naturalization applications is not regulated by Maltese law. If approved, you are invited to the Community Malta Agency to take the oath of allegiance and obtain a certificate of citizenship. With this certificate you obtain a local birth certificate and national passports.

Conditions of Maltese citizenship

Malta is quite loyal in terms of naturalization and does not impose special requirements on foreigners. The main thing for those wishing to obtain a local passport is to demonstrate good behavior and not to pose a threat to national security. Naturalized immigrants must have previously lived on the island for 5 years and learn the national language. These conditions do not apply to other applicants. You will also need to submit a complete citizenship file and pay administrative fees.

What documents are required to apply for citizenship  

To apply for Maltese citizenship by naturalization, you will need the following documents:

• certificate of compliance with the accommodation standards issued by the Community Malta Agency;
• proof of knowledge of the Maltese or English language at a level sufficient for communication;
• valid passport with photocopies;
• application form with photocopies;
• receipt of payment of the administrative fee for the procedure;
• proof of law-abiding behavior (for example, a criminal record certificate).

Children of foreigners cannot participate in the naturalization procedure in Malta at the same time as their parents. The application for citizenship for the child's mother and/or father must be submitted after the child has obtained a local passport.

How much does it cost to apply for Maltese citizenship?

To understand how much it costs to obtain a passport in Malta, you need to take into account the method of acquisition. For example, the difference in amounts for naturalized immigrants and investors will be huge. The basic list of expenses includes payment of administrative fees, notary services, services of an interpreter (if required). The professional assistance of immigration specialists is paid separately. In the table below you will find information about the current rates of state fees for the naturalization procedure.

Peculiarities of dual citizenship in Malta

Since August 1989, the concept of multiple citizenship has been partially operational in Malta, but with restrictions on the place of birth of immigrants. The right of islanders to hold a second passport abroad was finally enshrined in law on February 10, 2000. This rule applies to absolutely everyone, regardless of the citizenship program.

Contrary to popular myths, you do not have to pay any penalty if you hold multiple citizenships (abroad and in Malta) unless it is against the laws of your home country. However, keep in mind that in each state you will only be considered as your own citizen. For example, you may need to use only your local passport within your home country, but abroad you may need to use any passport of your choice.

You can learn more about the rules of multiple citizenship and other important nuances of immigration from Immigrantinlaw specialized lawyers. Sign up for a free consultation to find the best way to apply for a second passport in the European Union.

Dispelling myths and mistakes

There is a misconception that Malta trades passports for foreigners, but this is not true at all. Investment citizenship in any case requires a minimum of 12 months of prior residence on the island, and the high monetary threshold for entry into the program makes it available only to a limited number of applicants. In addition, applicants are subjected to a comprehensive background check, including determining the legitimacy of their sources of income and business/family ties, before participating in the process.

Many people mistakenly believe that the granting of Maltese citizenship is irrevocable regardless of future circumstances. This is not true - authorities can revoke a passport if it is found to have been fraudulently issued, such as forged documents or hiding important information about the immigrant. Citizenship is revoked if a person engages in illegal activities and is sentenced to imprisonment (including abroad) for more than 12 months.

Malta is one of the few countries that revokes the passports of those who travel abroad for a period of 7 years or more. This applies to both naturalized foreigners and participants in investment programs. Not everyone even makes it to the citizenship stage, facing rejections for various reasons. The most frequent of them is mistakes in documents or unfamiliarity with the peculiarities of the procedure. Therefore, according to the feedback of people who have received a Maltese passport, it is best to carry out the immigration process with legal support.

Accelerated ways: Is it possible to obtain citizenship faster?

You can get all the rights of a Maltese citizen if you apply for a passport from any other EU country. This is easier, quicker and cheaper than participating in a naturalization or investment program on the island. In some countries you can acquire citizenship in a maximum of one year, and during the waiting period you do not have to move there at all. EU passports under simplified programs are issued without sedentary period with residence permit/permanent residence permit, participation in integration courses, demonstration of financial security.

Specialists in international law will help to determine the best way to obtain a second citizenship in the European Union. Immigrantinlaw lawyers will study your dossier, familiarize themselves with your wishes and requests, and then draw up a personalized plan of action. You will learn in detail about the pros and cons of different immigration programs, the waiting period for a passport, the cost of the procedure and other important nuances. Specialists offer step-by-step support, as well as documentary and informational preparation until a successful outcome is achieved. Find out more by making an appointment with a lawyer right now.

About the author

Diana Weber

Lawyer of international law

Diane Weber is an international law specialist with 10 years of legal practice experience. Her portfolio includes successful stories of citizenship in different European Union countries under simplified procedures. Diana provides detailed advice and helps many people to achieve their immigration goals in a short period of time, including resolving visa issues, assisting in obtaining residence permits and citizenship in the EU countries. In her blog, Diana Weber enjoys providing readers with detailed information about the features of most popular programs for obtaining a second passport.