According to the Maltese Citizenship Act, citizens from EU countries can acquire citizenship after six years of living in Malta, while non-EU individuals can obtain this status after 18 years. There is also the possibility of investing in Malta through a specific program that allows foreigners to gain Maltese citizenship in 2025. In any case, support from our team of immigration lawyers in Malta is required, and that to skip the bureaucracies and formalities with the Maltese authorities. Besides that, it is good to have legal counseling for dealing with these aspects and avoid possible errors in terms of documents for obtaining a residence permit in Malta. We can offer support if you want to immigrate to Malta or obtain citizenship in other countries such as the UAE.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Nationalities accepted (EU/Non-EU) |
Both citizens of EU and non-EU countries are accepted |
|
Business investment option (YES/NO) |
Yes |
|
Real estate investment option (YES/NO) |
Yes |
| Other investment options (if available) |
– national development fund, – donations |
| Living requirement in Malta (YES/NO) |
Yes |
| Residence or direct citizenship option |
– Malta Permanent Residency Programme, – Malta Citizenship by Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment |
| Direct immigration with family members (YES/NO) |
Yes |
| Family members allowed to join the program |
– parents, – children, – grandparents |
| Residence visa/citizenship processing time (approx.) | Between 3 to 7 months |
| Additional financial requirements for family members (YES/NO) | Yes |
| Timeframe for obtaining citizenship/residency by investment | No more than 12 months |
| Dual citizenship permitted (YES/NO) | Yes |
| Reasons to choose Malta |
– great taxation system, – varied business opportunities, – connection to large financial centers |
| Personal income tax rate | 35% |
| Visa free travel to other countries (approx. number of countries) | 46 |
Table of Contents
Maltese citizenship by marriage
Maltese citizenship by marriage in 2025 can be obtained through marriage with a citizen from Malta after 5 years of living together. The application process is not complex, and one of our immigration lawyers in Malta can provide legal advice and assistance when preparing the documents. Here are a few of the important documents you need to prepare as part of Maltese citizenship requirements:
- The marriage and the birth certificate of the applicant.
- A set of documents provided by the spouse (parent’s birth certificate, spouse’s birth certificate).
- A valid passport and the residence card of the applicant.
- The spouse’s identity card.
- A joint affidavit showing you have lived for at least 5 years in Malta.
The registration of citizenship is normally made with the Department for Citizenship and Expatriate Affairs in Malta, with complete legal support provided by one of our immigration attorneys in Malta. We also mention that the citizenship application is subject to specific fees. Talk to us if you want to know more about Maltese citizenship by marriage.
Foreign citizens without family relations in Malta can apply for Maltese citizenship if they already lived in the country for 4 cumulative years, and have had a permanent residence permit in the last 6 years. Additional details are provided by our local attorneys.
We also prepared an infographic with information on this topic:
What is Malta Individual Investor Program and how was it replaced?
IIP or Malta Individual Investor Program was introduced in 2014 with the purpose of offering citizenship for high net-worth persons and their families who make investments in this country. This program was replaced in 2020 with Malta Citizenship by Naturalization for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment. We would like to add that Maltese Citizenship by Investment is not a complex process and the following conditions must be attentively measured at the time a foreigner is interested in this program:
- An investment of at least EUR 600,000 needs to be made to enter the program.
- In the case of spouses and children, a contribution of EUR 25,000 each is needed.
- Foreign investors also have the possibility of purchasing a property in Malta, with a market value of at least EUR 350,000.
- Property rentals are also allowed, for at least one year and a minimum annual rent of EUR 16,000.
Besides these requirements for obtaining citizenship by investment in Malta, it is good to note that the Maltese authorities have the right to solicit information about the source of funds and the criminal record of the foreigner interested in this program, working closely with international institutions. On the other hand if you want to know more about Malta citizenship by marriage, you may discuss with our specialists at any time.
For further details about how to obtain Maltese citizenship by investment, you can address your inquiries to one of our immigration lawyers in Malta. They can provide you with complete details and guidance throughout the whole process and can tell you more about the Maltese passport and the ways you can obtain it.
Maltese Citizenship by Naturalization for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment is regulated by Law no. 437 of 2020. Respecting the rules for obtaining this kind of status means that the applicants must observe the formalities for residency in Malta, where a licensed Maltese citizenship agent is required. He or she will represent clients with a power of attorney.
Maltese Golden visa – Main requirements
If you are interested in Maltese citizenship, you must keep in mind some aspects and formalities imposed in this direction. Among them, we mention:
- Applicants must be over 18 years old to access this status.
- Citizenship can be obtained after 36 months of residency in Malta and investments of at least EUR 600,000.
- But if you want citizenship in one year, then a minimum investment of EUR 750,000 is needed to qualify for the program.
- In addition to the above, applicants must also buy a property worth at least EUR 750,000 or rent one for at least EUR 16,000 per year.
- A donation of at least EUR 10,000 for an organization in Malta is also required.
- Both the main applicant and his family are accepted into the program mentioned above.
- The Maltese authorities will do a background check to ensure that the applicants have not been involved in financial crimes.
We remind you of the support of our team of immigration lawyers in Malta if you want to obtain Malta citizenship by marriage. We can take care of the paperwork and other formalities related to this status.
How long does it take to obtain citizenship in Malta?
Once the authorities have approved the necessary documents for the citizenship application in Malta in 2025, the processing time should not exceed more than 3 months from the date of approval. Once the investments and donations are made, the naturalization process of the applicants begins. There is also an administration fee of approximately EUR 500 that must be paid when the naturalization process begins in Malta for each applicant.
Citizenship in Malta can be obtained by both EU and non-EU citizens. It is important to get an idea about the requirements imposed, and one of our lawyers can help you in this sense. He can also take care of the paperwork and the formalities related to the application. We mention that people interested in this status can also apply for family members, respectively, spouses, children, parents, and grandparents. Contact us for more details and also check this video presentation:
Family reunification to become a Maltese citizen
Citizenship by family reunification in Malta is granted in only a few cases and is a suitable scheme for children of current or former citizens of Malta, including family ties. An example in this sense is the citizen who has Maltese parents, grandparents, or other siblings who live in Malta. Adopted foreign children by Maltese citizens also qualify for Maltese citizenship by family reunification. Once this status is obtained, the citizenship of origin can also be retained.
According to the Maltese Citizenship Act of 2007, persons who provide information about Maltese descents can apply for citizenship by descent. Some birth certificates showing a direct line of descendants are solicited at the time of application. We invite you to learn more about Maltese citizenship requirements from our specialists. They can also help you with Maltese passport requirements.
Special cases for obtaining citizenship in Malta
There are also special situations in which Maltese citizenship can be granted. An example in this case is the foreigner who made a special contribution to the country’s development, such as scientists, politicians, entrepreneurs, cultural figures, etc. In such situations, the president of Malta can decree an order to grant Maltese citizenship to that person. We remind you that this status can be obtained in certain circumstances, being a decision strictly offered by the president of this country. Please check our website and get in touch with us if you want more details about Maltese passport requirements and also about Malta citizenship by marriage.
What advantages does Maltese citizenship bring?
Obtaining citizenship in Malta implies various benefits, including the possibility to travel to 169 countries without a visa. From this point of view, Malta aligns with the countries with the strongest passports in the world, such as the USA, Canada, Australia, the UK, etc.
Having Maltese citizenship does not imply the obligation to live in this country, on the contrary. Beneficiaries of a Maltese passport can travel without restrictions, live, work, study, and develop a business in any country in the European Union. On the other hand, many who choose to become citizens of Malta do so for quite clear reasons, including access to an advantageous healthcare system, one of the best in the world.
Besides this advantage, citizens of Malta enjoy a great educational system and can access various prestigious universities both in this country and in the territory of the European Union. Even if you obtain citizenship by naturalization in Malta, taxation will be done according to the country in which you obtain the income. Basically, you will be taxed for the income you get in your country of origin, if applicable. Otherwise, there is an advantageous tax scheme for those who obtain income in Malta.
We invite you to discover our legal services and benefit from full support in terms of Maltese citizenship requirements. Moreover, we are here to tell you more about Maltese dual citizenship and the advantages you have in this situation.
Maltese citizenship – Updates for 2025
Foreign citizens can gain citizenship in Malta by investing from EUR 700,000 to EUR 1,460,000. In this case, applicants will contribute to the National Development and Social Fund in Malta and invest in education, social projects, public health, employment, etc. On the other hand, a contribution of EUR 600,000 is required if one proves 36 months of residency in Malta or EUR 750,000 for one year of residency in this country. To these sums is added the fee for family members joining the program of citizenship in Malta, respectively EUR 50,000. It is recommended that you familiarize yourself with the new requirements in terms of nationality and the conditions imposed by the Maltese authorities.
Persons interested in obtaining a residence permit in Malta or Maltese citizenship are invited to contact our team of immigration lawyers in Malta and solicit information about the available program and conditions. Our specialists can help you immigrate to Malta.