Maltese Citizenship by Investment: A Guide to Obtaining a Passport in 2025
Since 1992, Feod Group has been providing immigration, corporate, and legal services across EU countries
✓ EU Citizenship and Passport for the whole family ✓ Visa-free travel to 185+ countries ✓ Access to all public services: education, healthcare ✓ Dual citizenship permitted
Maltese Citizenship by Investment
The Malta Citizenship by Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment programme is an official government initiative that provides a pathway to EU citizenship and passport within as little as one year. This is not just a residence permit — it is a direct and legal route to EU citizenship based on investment and meeting clearly defined requirements.
The programme operates under Legal Notice 437 of 2020 — the Granting of Citizenship for Exceptional Services Regulations — and allows foreign nationals who make a significant contribution to Malta’s economy to apply for citizenship.
Maltese citizenship by investment is the only active programme in the EU that enables applicants to obtain an EU passport within 1–3 years directly through investment, without the long waiting periods associated with traditional “golden visa” schemes. This makes the Malta programme uniquely positioned among other European investment routes.
Who is the Malta Citizenship Programme for?
The programme is designed for high-net-worth individuals seeking: • Alternative EU citizenship; • Global mobility and freedom of international travel; • A reliable strategy for asset protection; • The opportunity to secure a better future for their children.
Benefits of Maltese Citizenship by Investment
Maltese citizenship grants the investor full access to all the rights of an EU citizen — from the freedom to reside and do business anywhere in the Union to visa-free travel to over 185 countries. The Maltese passport consistently ranks among the most valuable in the world in terms of global mobility. Key advantages include:
✓ Family-wide benefits: The Malta Citizenship by Investment Programme allows the inclusion of immediate family members in the application, including a spouse or partner, children up to the age of 29, and financially dependent parents or grandparents.
✓ Freedom of movement: Holders of a Maltese passport can travel visa-free or with simplified entry to over 185 countries worldwide, including all Schengen states, the UK, Canada, and the USA (under the ESTA programme). Maltese citizens have the right to live, work, and study in any EU country.
✓ Citizenship by descent: Maltese citizenship is inheritable, providing long-term benefits for future generations.
✓ Favourable tax environment: Malta imposes no taxes on inheritance, wealth, or property ownership. This creates flexible conditions for international tax planning, especially for business owners and individuals with global assets.
✓ High quality of life and safety • Malta offers a stable political system, low crime rates, advanced infrastructure, and quality education and healthcare. • It is one of the leading financial and technology hubs in the Mediterranean.
✓ Dual citizenship in Malta: Applicants are not required to renounce their original citizenship when acquiring Maltese citizenship.
How to Obtain Maltese Citizenship by Investment in 2025
Under Malta’s Citizenship by Investment Programme, applicants may apply for citizenship after 12 or 36 months of lawful residence, depending on the level of investment. This residence period in Malta is a mandatory prerequisite.
1. Direct investment in the economic and social development of the country
• €600,000 — if the main applicant and family members included in the application reside in Malta as residents for 36 months prior to acquiring citizenship • or €750,000 — if the applicant and their family members have been Maltese residents for 12 months prior to acquiring citizenship • An additional contribution of €50,000 is required for each dependent included in the application
2. Purchase or rental of real estate in Malta
• Purchase of residential property with a minimum value of €700,000 • Or rental of residential property at a minimum annual rent of €16,000 for a minimum period of 5 years • Subleasing the rented property to third parties is strictly prohibited • The investor must retain ownership or a valid lease agreement for at least 5 years from the date of receiving the certificate of citizenship
3. Charitable donation
• A contribution of €10,000 to one or more organisations operating in Malta in the fields of charity, culture, sport, science, or similar, approved by the Government agency Komunità Malta (Community Malta Agency, CMA)
Other Requirements
Every application for Maltese citizenship by naturalisation through direct investment is subject to thorough evaluation and undergoes a four-tier enhanced Due Diligence process. This includes checks through international databases and an in-depth review of the applicant’s financial and personal background. The due diligence fee is €15,000 for the main applicant and €10,000 for each dependent over the age of 12.
To be eligible to apply for citizenship, applicants must legally reside in Malta and hold a valid residence permit for a minimum of 36 months (or 12 months if the investment is €750,000).
An application for citizenship by investment can only be submitted through an accredited agent licensed by the Community Malta Agency. Direct interaction between the applicant and Maltese authorities without a licensed agent is not permitted.
Application Cap
To maintain a high level of scrutiny and compliance with international standards, the programme is limited in volume: • No more than 400 citizenship certificates are issued per year • A total cap of 1,500 applications for the full duration of the programme
This makes the programme particularly attractive, especially in the context of the closure of similar schemes in other EU countries.
Difference Between Malta’s Citizenship by Investment Programme and EU Golden Visas
Malta’s Citizenship by Investment Programme is fundamentally different from most investment schemes operating in European Union countries, commonly known as “Golden Visa” programmes. The key difference lies in the ultimate goal and the legal status granted to the applicant.
1. Citizenship vs. Residence Permit
Golden Visas in countries such as Greece, Portugal, Italy, and France offer only a residence permit (temporary or permanent) in exchange for investment. This status does not automatically lead to citizenship — naturalisation is typically possible only after five or more years of continuous residence, along with additional requirements such as language proficiency, integration, and no extended absences from the country.
By contrast, Malta’s programme is designed specifically to grant citizenship — bypassing a long naturalisation process. Provided all criteria are met, including a residency period of 12 to 36 months, the applicant may obtain a Maltese passport and full EU citizenship.
2. Scope of Rights
Holding a Golden Visa does not entitle the investor to vote, move freely across the EU for extended periods, or live and work unrestricted in other EU states. In contrast, Maltese citizenship confers the full rights of an EU citizen, including: • Freedom of movement, employment, and residence in any EU member state; • Protection under EU law; • Visa-free access to over 180 countries worldwide.
3. Legal Status
Golden Visas are immigration statuses that can be revoked or not renewed. Citizenship, on the other hand, is a permanent legal status passed on to descendants and cannot be arbitrarily withdrawn — except under specific legal grounds (e.g. fraudulent information in the application).
Thus, Malta’s Citizenship by Investment Programme is not an alternative to a Golden Visa, but a robust legal instrument offering the investor and their family a direct and secure path to EU citizenship, avoiding lengthy naturalisation processes and associated administrative risks.
Procedure for Obtaining Maltese Citizenship by Investment
Obtaining Maltese citizenship through direct investment requires strict adherence to all legal procedures and thorough preparation. Below are the key stages of the process.
Stage 1 – Document Preparation and Due Diligence Check
The citizenship process begins with a preliminary assessment and the preparation of a full set of documents. A preliminary application is then submitted through a licensed agent accredited by the Community Malta Agency (CMA). At the same time, the government due diligence fee is paid. The CMA then initiates a multi-level background check, which includes: • Analysis of the applicant’s biography, business reputation, and public profile; • International screenings through law enforcement and sanctions databases; • Review of financial documentation and sources of income. This is the key stage of the citizenship process, as the decision to allow the applicant to proceed to the next phase — obtaining Maltese residency — is based on the outcome of this due diligence.
Stage 2 – Obtaining Residency and Fulfilling Investment Commitments
Following a positive due diligence result, the applicant is granted Maltese residency — a mandatory preliminary requirement for naturalisation. From the date of obtaining residency, the clock starts on the required period of physical presence — 12 months with a contribution of €750,000, or 36 months with a contribution of €600,000. During this period, the applicant must: • Make the required contribution to the National Development and Social Fund; • Purchase or lease residential property in accordance with the specified criteria; • Make the mandatory philanthropic donation of €10,000.
Stage 3 – Final Application and Granting of Citizenship
Upon completion of the required residency period and fulfilment of all obligations, the applicant submits the final application for naturalisation. Once approved, a date is set for the oath of allegiance to the Republic of Malta. After taking the oath, the applicant receives a Certificate of Naturalisation — the official legal document confirming citizenship. Based on this certificate, the applicant may apply for a Maltese passport.
Contact us for a personalised consultation — we will assess your situation and recommend the best legal pathway, tailored to your needs and fully compliant with Maltese legislation.
How can I obtain Maltese citizenship by investment?
Citizenship and a Maltese passport can be obtained by making a significant contribution to the country’s economic and social development. The applicant must make a non-refundable donation of €600,000 or €750,000, plus purchase real estate worth at least €700,000 or rent a property with a minimum annual rental of €16,000 for 5 years, plus make a €10,000 charitable donation to an approved Maltese organisation.
How long does it take to obtain Maltese citizenship by investment?
The timeframe depends on the chosen investment amount:
With a €750,000 investment — approximately 14 to 18 months;
With a €600,000 investment — around 36 to 42 months.
What is the minimum investment required to obtain Maltese citizenship?
The minimum amount for a single applicant is €690,000, plus €50,000 for each additional family member included in the application. This is in addition to government and administrative fees, as well as due diligence fees for background checks.
Is knowledge of the Maltese language required to obtain citizenship?
No. For applicants obtaining citizenship based on a significant contribution to Malta’s economic and social development, there is no language test required.
Elena Georghiou is the founder of Feod Group, a company that has been successfully operating since 1992. With over 30 years of experience, she specializes in corporate law, international taxation, immigration law, investment, and financial consulting....
Elena Georghiou is the founder of Feod Group, a company that has been successfully operating since 1992. With over 30 years of experience, she specializes in corporate law, international taxation, immigration law, investment, and financial consulting.
