Malta, one of Europe's tiniest states, is an enchanting archipelago covering 316 sq. km in the Mediterranean Sea – an area smaller than Philadelphia. Despite its size, this nation is home to approximately half a million people who enjoy its delightful subtropical climate featuring hot sunny summers and mild winters. Notably, Malta holds memberships in both the Commonwealth of Nations and the European Union, while its Maltese passport is widely regarded as one of the world's most valuable, granting visa-free access to an impressive 185 destinations. Curious about obtaining Maltese citizenship? Learn more about the process and eligibility criteria below.
There are several ways to become a citizen of Malta: by birth, by marriage, by long term residency on one of the three inhabited islands of the Maltese archipelago, or by investing a large amount of money in the local economy.
In Malta, immigration and citizenship are handled by a designated government agency, the Community Malta Agency.
Maltese Citizenship by Birth
Acquiring Maltese citizenship became possible after September 21st, 1964 when the state gained independence from Great Britain. For a century and a half prior to that, local residents were considered subjects of the British crown. In the sixties, the following persons automatically became citizens of the newly independent state:
- Those born in Malta before September 21st, 1964 if at least one of their parents was born in Malta;
- Those whose father and a paternal grandparent were both born in Malta.
Historically, until 1989, Malta granted citizenship to individuals born on the island and those whose fathers were Maltese citizens. However, a significant change occurred in 1989 when the nation expanded its citizenship provisions to include the children of mothers with Maltese nationality as well. This progressive step marked a crucial milestone in Malta's approach to citizenship, fostering greater inclusivity and recognition of maternal lineage.
Maltese Citizenship by Registration
You are only eligible to Maltese citizenship by registration through ties to your most immediate family members. Maltese passport eligibility extends to you if:
- You are the spouse of a Maltese citizen and have been married for at least five years; you are still married and living with that citizen of Malta.
- You are the widow/widower of a person, who was a citizen of Malta at the time of his/her death. You also need to have been married for at least five years. If your spouse died before that, you will need to wait until five years have passed since the marriage registration. If your spouse was entitled to a passport, but died before Malta gained independence, you can also get Malta citizenship.
- You were born before September 21st, 1964, and your mother was or would have become a citizen of Malta after the country gained independence.
- You were born outside Malta before August 1st, 1989, and your mother had a Maltese passport.
- You are a former Maltese citizen.
- You are a direct descendant of a Maltese-born person whose father or mother was also born in Malta.
Photo: Evan Demicoli (Unsplash)
Documents Required to Apply for Malta Citizenship by Registration
To apply for citizenship as a spouse of a Maltese citizen, you need:
- A joint Affidavit confirming that you have been married for at least 5 years and are still living together.
- The marriage certificate, which must have been registered in Malta.
- The marriage certificate(s) of previous marriages of both spouses (if applicable).
- A full birth certificate showing the parents' names.
- A passport or other applicable identity document of both spouses.
- The spouse's birth certificate.
- The birth certificate of the spouse's Maltese parents.
- The marriage certificate of the spouse's Maltese parents (if applicable).
- A recent photo.
Widows and widowers need to add the spouse’s death certificate to this list.
Former Maltese citizens require:
- A passport.
- A full birth certificate showing the parents' names.
- The marriage certificate (if applicable).
- The birth and marriage certificates of the parents.
- A letter stating why the applicant cannot provide 6 years documentary evidence of residence abroad or a copy of the Maltese Citizenship Renunciation letter.
- A copy of the certificate of acquisition of the citizenship the applicant now holds.
- A recent photo.
To become a Maltese citizen as a child of a Maltese woman, you need:
- A full birth certificate.
- Your marriage certificate.
- A passport.
- Your mother’s full birth certificate.
- Your mother’s marriage certificate.
- Your mother’s passport.
- The birth and marriage certificates of your maternal grandparents.
- A recent photo.
To get citizenship in Malta as a descendant of Maltese citizens, you need:
- A full birth certificate.
- Your marriage certificate.
- Your passport.
- The birth and marriage certificates of your direct ascendants to show that they were born in Malta.
- The death certificate of your ascendants (if applicable) and copies of their registration certificates.
- A recent photo.
The Agency may also request additional documents.
How Much Does It Cost?
To initiate your citizenship application by registration, a fee of €150 is required. If your application is approved, an additional payment of €50 will be due. Moreover, there will be a nominal charge of €10 for each document attestation and for swearing the Oath during the process.
Photo: Hasmik Ghazaryan Olson (Unsplash)
Malta Citizenship by Naturalization
Foreigners and stateless persons over 18 can apply for a Maltese passport if they:
- Have resided in Malta for a period of at least five years during the last seven years, including the entire last year;
- Have not violated the law;
- Would be suitable citizens of Malta;
- Speak any of the two official languages, Maltese or English.
Before beginning the application process, it is essential to find two sponsors who are unrelated to you and are citizens of Malta. Your first sponsor can be any adult native Maltese individual. As for your second sponsor, you have the flexibility to select from the following options:
- A member of Parliament.
- A judge.
- A magistrate.
- A lawyer.
- A public notary.
- A legal procurator.
- A medical practitioner.
- A public officer not below the rank of principal.
- a police officer not below the rank of inspector.
- An officer of the Armed Forces of Malta not below the rank of captain.
- A parish priest.
The parent or parents who acquired Maltese citizenship may submit an application on behalf of their minor children.
Maltese Citizenship by Investment
You may acquire Maltese citizenship by investing a fairly large amount of money in the country's economy. However, the law stipulates a number of requirements for such applicants.
For individuals investing a minimum of €600,000, a residency period of at least three years in Malta is mandatory. However, it is important to note that the process can be expedited. By increasing the investment to €750,000, the requirement for residency is reduced to just one year. Additionally, if you wish to secure Maltese citizenship for your relatives, an incremental investment of €50,000 is necessary for each person. The eligibility criteria extend to include spouses, children, parents, and grandparents.
In addition to direct investments, the applicant must donate at least €10,000 to a registered philanthropic, cultural, sport, scientific, animal welfare or artistic non-governmental organisation or society.
You also need to purchase a residential property in Malta having a minimum value of €700,000 or take on a lease for a property for at least five years with a minimum annual rent of €16,000.
Applicants and their relatives will be denied citizenship if they are found to be involved in illegal activities or suspected of committing a crime. Moreover, individuals listed on international sanctions registers will not be granted citizenship. Furthermore, those who have previously been denied a visa by any country that has a visa-free agreement with Malta will not be eligible. However, there is a remedy for the latter situation. If an applicant successfully obtains a visa from the same country that previously denied them, this past refusal will be overlooked, allowing them to proceed with their citizenship application.
How Much Does It Cost?
In addition to the investment and housing costs, applicants are charged:
- €15,000 to carry out due diligence;
- €10,000 for due diligence on applying relatives;
- €15,000 for due diligence on each of the third parties who gave money for the investment;
- €1,000 and €500 as administrative fees;
- €5,000 for issuing a residence permit and another €1,000 for each of the relatives.
Photo: Cassady Woods (Unsplash)
Can Maltese Citizens Have Multiple Citizenship?
Yes, Malta allows dual citizenship granted that it does not contradict the laws of the other country.
Address and Office Hours of Community Malta Agency
The agency is located in Valletta, the capital of Malta, at the following address:
Old Hospital Street, Valletta, Malta. VLT 1645
Passport applications are accepted weekdays, except Wednesday, from 07:30 to 11:30. Passport applications by investment are accepted Monday through Friday from 08:00 to 15:00.
If you are not currently in Malta, it is better to consult about the citizenship procedure at the embassy or consulate.
In a Nutshell
Malta is a small, prosperous, and quiet European country. While the cost of living may not be low, the standard of living is notably high. Obtaining citizenship in Malta is no simple feat, yet the government respects the freedom of new citizens to retain their other passports, making it an attractive option for those seeking dual citizenship.
Cover photo: Calin Stan (Unsplash)
