Maltese citizenship by descent refers to persons who were born abroad and who can prove that they have Maltese parents. The Maltese Citizenship Act is the law that mentions in detail how people in this category can obtain Maltese citizenship. With the help of our immigration lawyers in Malta, you can benefit from complete legal advice regarding the formalities for obtaining a Maltese passport by descent. We can help you immigrate to Malta.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Who can apply for Maltese citizenship by descent? | Foreigners who prove they have or had relatives with Maltese origins. |
|
Legislation |
Maltese Citizenship Act |
|
Proving descendants in Malta |
A direct line of descendants is accepted. |
| Family members of Maltese origin accepted |
– parents, – grandparents, – great-grandparents |
| Documents solicited |
Birth/marriage/death certificates, other relevant documents |
| Special cases of Maltese citizenship by descent |
Applications are possible for foreigners whose Maltese parents died during 2007-2010. |
| Citizenship by family reunification |
If applicants can prove they have origins in Malta, even if they weren’t born in Malta. At least one parent should be from Malta. |
| Maltese citizenship in case of stateless persons |
Available option if such persons prove they have Maltese origins or were born in Malta. |
| Verifications made by the authorities |
Soliciting a clear criminal record in case of stateless persons applying for Maltese citizenship by descent |
| Direct registration if the line of descendants is not broken | With the Maltese Department for Citizenship and Expatriate Affairs |
| Dual citizenship available in Malta (YES/NO) |
YES |
| Maltese passport issued (YES/NO) |
YES |
| Possibility to travel without restrictions |
With a Maltese passport in EU and EEA countries, Switzerland, etc. |
| Other ways to become a citizen of Malta |
Through naturalization, accessing dedicated investment programs |
| How can our immigration lawyer in Malta help you? | Our specialist can manage the formalities, procedures, and documents for applicants interested in citizenship by descent in Malta. |
Table of Contents
How to apply for Maltese citizenship by descent
As mentioned at the beginning of this article, foreign nationals who prove that they have descendants in Malta can apply for citizenship. This is where the parents of the respective applicants come into discussion, as well as the grandparents, where appropriate. In other words, if you were born abroad, but have parents with origins in Malta, citizenship through heritage in Malta comes into play. Here is some other information on how to apply for Maltese citizenship by descent:
- According to the Maltese Citizenship Act, applicants whose parents died after August 1, 2010, and who have not applied for citizenship before are no longer entitled to citizenship by descent.
- In the case of those who lost their parents in the period 2007-2010, the application for Maltese citizenship is still valid.
- Applicants must be in full capacity when applying for Maltese citizenship by descent.
- Even stateless persons can apply for Maltese citizenship by descent if they prove that they are of Maltese descent. In their case, the authorities reserve the right to make certain checks.
Learn more about citizenship through ancestry in Malta from our immigration lawyers in Malta. We offer legal advice to those who want to immigrate to Malta. If you are interested in immigrating to Malta from another country, such as USA or UK, we can offer you professional legal advice.
Those who want to move to Malta can benefit from the legal support offered by our lawyers on immigration issues. A quick process can be the one in which you access the Malta Residency and Visa Programme, where you can invest at least EUR 120,000. You can also invest the amount of EUR 250,000 in government bonds, but you must also take into account additional contributions to the government. Whichever option you choose, contact us for more information. Feel free to discover our infographic here:
How to get citizenship by family reunification in Malta
Citizenship by family reunification in Malta is another option besides citizenship by birth in Malta and there are certain conditions in this case. Children or foreign citizens who have relatives in Malta can apply for citizenship, but it is good to know that not all applications are accepted. Here are some cases in which you may be eligible for citizenship by family reunification in Malta:
- Persons born after August 1, 1989, with at least one parent of Maltese origin, can apply for citizenship by family reunification. Here, the place of birth of the respective candidate for citizenship is not taken into account.
- Persons who were adopted by a Maltese citizen or those who were born in Malta before September 21, 1964, with at least one Maltese parent, are also eligible.
- If the candidates prove that they have a grandfather or great-grandfather of Maltese origin, then they can apply for Maltese citizenship by descent.
- Children born in a family that obtained Maltese citizenship can also apply for this citizenship. It is also valid for those under the UK colonies before 1964.
- With the help of our immigration lawyers in Malta, you can apply for the desired citizenship, at the dedicated consulates and/or embassies. Our immigration specialists know the legislation and formalities for citizenship by birth in Malta and can offer you the necessary legal support to obtain the desired status.
What does ineligibility for Maltese citizenship by registration mean?
According to the provisions of the Maltese Citizenship Act, if the parent of a citizenship by birth application was alive on 1st August 2007 and died after 1st August 2010 without applying for Maltese citizenship, the link descent was broken. As such, the application for citizenship by birth in Malta was no longer available.
Here is a video presentation that explains how to get citizenship by descent in Malta:
Citizenship by descent in Malta for stateless persons
The Citizenship Act in Malta specifies the conditions for obtaining citizenship by descent for stateless persons. Thus, these people who prove that they have or had relatives in Malta can apply for this citizenship, regardless of the country where they currently live or where they come from. Nevertheless, the Maltese authorities reserve the right to make certain checks in the case of these persons, who should be at least 18 years old and in full capacity to apply for the desired citizenship. Here are other conditions in this regard:
- Maltese citizenship can also be granted to a person who has always been stateless and happens to have been born in Malta. He or she must have been usually a resident of Malta for at least 5 years at the time of the citizenship application.
- The respective candidate must have a clear criminal record and must not have been involved in security crimes or punishments in any country. More about citizenship through origin in Malta can be discussed with our local immigration lawyers.
These are some of the conditions that must be met by a stateless person applying for Maltese citizenship by descent. Specialist legal help and proof that family ties exist in Malta are very important here. Our immigration specialists can offer you the necessary support in this endeavor and can take care of all the formalities on your behalf. Do not hesitate to contact us to find out the information that concerns you.
Special cases of Maltese citizenship by descent
Citizenship by descent in Malta can be won automatically by persons born after August 1, 1989, outside this country, if they have Maltese or naturalized parents. Maltese citizenship by registration applies to persons born between September 1964 and July 1989, with mothers born in this country or naturalized. In the latter case, the applications must prove the origin of the parents with the help of birth certificates. It is important to note that in such situations, the Maltese authorities will not require proof of residence in Malta. But for more information, please contact our specialists with experience in immigration issues. They can help you relocate to Malta in a fast manner.
Are you planning to apply for citizenship in Malta? You can discuss all legal aspects with our Maltese immigration lawyer. In addition to preparing the necessary documents, our experts can explain the entire process and the formalities involved. For example, in the case of Maltese citizenship by marriage, those interested must present a valid passport, marriage and birth certificates, joint affidavit, and valid passport, among others. Contact us to find out and discuss all the details.
Maltese citizenship through ancestry for citizens in London
British citizens who want to apply for citizenship through heritage in Malta can do so at the Maltese High Commission in London, the authority that accepts such requests. There is a special department within this institution, which is in charge of citizenship applications and which can decide on requests of this kind. This institution also accepts applications from foreign citizens who live in Malta and who can prove that they have relatives of this origin to obtain the desired citizenship. Here are other important aspects:
- The application form is filled in with personal data and other important details. One of our immigration lawyers in Malta can help you with the documents in this case if you contact him.
- Birth certificates and other documents will be prepared to help the application for citizenship through origin in Malta.
- Documents sent by post and application form are not accepted, if this is not requested by the citizenship officer in charge of the case.
- In certain cases, it is necessary to make an appointment at the Maltese High Commission in London where the documents can be registered. They will also be checked here before submission.
You can opt for our services if you want to apply for citizenship by descent in Malta, directly from London. We have specialists who can take care of your case.
Adjustments to the Maltese Citizenship Act in 2007
Maltese Citizenship Act 2007 and its amendments have been modified in recent years. Thus, this act specifies that it is possible to obtain citizenship by descent in Malta by registration if the necessary documentation is provided. It is necessary to present birth, marriage, or death certificates, as the case may be, for the registration to take place. What is important to specify in this case is the fact that the applicant for citizenship through ancestry in Malta must prove that he has direct descent from a Maltese ancestor, whether parents or grandparents. Also, this citizenship can be obtained by the sons of the main applicant and thus the direct line is not broken. On the other hand, direct registration can be done at the Department for Citizenship and Expatriate Affairs in Malta, consulate, or embassy, as the case may be, without the obligation to present residence in Malta. We advise you to find out more details in this direction from one of our experts.
Dual citizenship in Malta
It is important to state that Malta allows dual citizenship. This means that applicants for Maltese citizenship by descent can keep their original citizenship and receive the new one, without restrictions in this regard. Once the desired status is obtained, the Maltese passport is also issued, one of the most powerful in the world. The formalities for obtaining this passport can be explained to you by our immigration lawyers in Malta.
Advantages of Maltese passport by descent
The Maltese passport is one of the most important passports in the world and comes with a number of advantages. The possibility to travel without restrictions in all EU and EEA countries, but also in Switzerland is an important benefit for those who own it. This passport is insured for people born in Malta, but also for those who have naturalized or who have earned Maltese citizenship by descent. Also, Maltese citizenship by investment applicants benefit from this passport and all the rights that come with it.
If you are also interested in a Maltese passport by descent, we invite you to talk to our immigration lawyers in Malta. We are here to offer you all the necessary support to relocate to Malta. Those who want to retire to Malta can obtain legal support from our immigration lawyers.
Why work with our local experts in Malta?
As a foreign citizen living in Malta and interested in citizenship, it is important to know the formalities first of all. There are dedicated programs for obtaining citizenship in Malta, as well as formalities that must be taken into account. What is important in this case is the fact that the documents must be well prepared before any application. In certain situations, if these are incomplete, the respective application may be rejected. That is why we make sure that our clients receive the due attention in this regard and we assure them that the process is one without complexity, as regards the documents required by the authorities for immigration to Malta.
Statistics on immigration in Malta
Malta is an island state that offers many possibilities to those who want to make investments here, retire in old age, or simply find better living conditions. Besides this aspect, Malta has always been open to helping refugees and stateless persons, with around 3,300 people with this status registering only in 2019. Here are other interesting statistics:
- In 2022, the net migration rate for Malta was around 1.851 per 1000 population.
- In 2021, the net migration rate for Malta was around 1.903 per 1000 population.
- Statistics show that the net migration rate for Malta was 1.954 per 1000 population in 2020.
Interested in how to move to Malta? Feel free to get in touch with our Maltese immigration lawyers.
You can collaborate with one of our lawyers if you want to obtain a residency permit in Malta. It is important to specify that the first document will be valid for 5 years, after which you will apply for permanent residency in this country. The formalities and the preparation of the documents for this status fall under the attention of our specialists, so do not hesitate to contact us for all the information that interests you.
Therefore, more about Maltese citizenship by descent and about moving to Malta can be offered by our experts so contact us immediately.