Malta Citizenship by Investment

Under Maltese Law, Malta Citizenship by Investment is possible thanks to the amendments made to Chapter 188, the Maltese Citizenship Act effected in 2013 with the introduction of the Individual Investor Programme regulations providing the eligibility criteria and the process for obtaining Malta Citizenship by Investment.

Maltese Citizenship by Investment: Eligibility Criteria

A person may acquire Malta Citizenship by Investment if he or she qualifies in terms of the Individual Investor Programme upon the submission of an application together with the taking of the oath of allegiance. The certificate of naturalisation may, in this case, be granted to the applicant, to his or her spouse as well to any eligible dependents of the applicant.

Qualifications

Applicants must be in good health and free of any disease or medical condition that may create a burden on the Maltese social benefits system.  Applicants must also be of good conduct and repute.

Contribution

A contribution of 650,000 is payable on approval (within 20 days of date of letter of in principle approval) with an additional sum of 25,000 each for the spouse and children under the age of 18 and 50,000 for unmarried and financially dependent children under 27 and parents of the main applicant and his/her spouse who are over 55 and financial dependent on the applicant couple.

Investments

Applicants must also invest at least 150,000 in Malta Government Bonds as well as buy a property worth at least 350,000.  The alternative option to buying is to rent a property for a rent of at least 16,000 per year.  Such property, purchased on rented, should be kept for at least 5 years, after which the candidate is under no further investment obligations.

Benefits of Malta Citizenship by Investment

Individuals and family members who receive Malta citizenship by investment have rights identical to those enjoyed by other Maltese citizens.  Persons born of new Maltese citizens after their naturalisation are automatically eligible for Maltese citizenship as persons born of Maltese parentage.  Maltese citizenship is equivalent to European citizenship and holders of Maltese passports enjoy the freedom to live, study, retire, work, do business and invest in any European Union member state.

See also Malta Residency by Investment

Malta Citizenship & Taxation

Read our article on the tax implications of Maltese Citizenship at Malta Citizenship & Taxation.