Malta Citizenship by investment

This program has been replaced by a new one: the Maltese Citizenship by Naturalization for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment. It is abbreviated by some agencies as MEIN (Maltese Exceptional Investment Naturalization).

What was the Individual Investor Programme in Malta?

From 2014 to 2020, it was possible to obtain citizenship in Malta through the Individual Investor Programme (IIP). By meeting a series of requirements ranging from one year of residency to specific investment sums, the applicant could obtain Maltese citizenship and benefit from all the advantages of citizenship in an EU member country.

Here are some of the advantages of getting Maltese citizenship:

• right of establishment in all EU countries,
• accessing all investment opportunities available to Maltese citizens
• traveling easily to many countries.

Did you know that holding a Maltese passport allows you to travel to 186 countries without a visa?

Malta has a flourishing economy, a stable society and government. It has a strong tradition of democracy. It is also part of the Schengen Zone.

Applicants to the Malta Individual Investor Programme were required to purchase real estate with a minimum value of €350,000 to be held for at least five years. Alternatively, you could choose to lease a residential property in Malta for five years at an annual rent of at least €16,000.

All applicants were required to contribute to the National Development and Social Fund, which finances projects in Malta related to education, public health, job creation, innovation, and other social improvement ventures.

They must also make a minimum investment of €150,000 made in stocks or bonds or in special purpose vehicles as identified by Identity Malta, to be held for a minimum period of 5 years.

In 2020, Malta put an end to the Maltese Individual Investor Programme. In fact, the IPP's quota of 1,800 approved applications has been reached. The Malta Individual Investment Programme Agency (MIIPA) ceased to operate in January 2021.

The Individual Investor Programme in Malta was sometimes criticized by some people saying that Maltese Citizenship is not for sale. However, thanks to the money collected, Malta invested in social housing, healthcare equipment and improvements to healthcare centers. It helped the Maltese a lot during the pandemic.

Read also Visas for Malta

How to get Maltese citizenship by investment?

As we saw, the Malta Individual Investor Programme does not exist anymore. But do not worry; it is still possible to get Maltese citizenship by investment.

In fact, the Maltese Exceptional Investment Naturalization (MEIN) replaced the Malta Individual Investor Programme (IPP) in 2020.

We are going to see what the requirements are to benefit from this new program and get Maltese citizenship by investment.

The new Maltese Exceptional Investment Naturalization (MEIN)

The Maltese Citizenship by Naturalization for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment, or MEIN (Maltese Exceptional Investment Naturalization), allows you to get Maltese citizenship by investment. This program rewards the individuals and their families who contribute to the nation's economic growth in Malta.

A new agency has been set up by the government of Malta to administer all Maltese citizenship-related matters: the Aġenzija Komunità Malta.

The Granting of Citizenship by Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment is regulated by the Granting of Citizenship for Exceptional Services Regulations (S.L. 188.06).

Elibigility criteria for the Malta Exceptional Investment Naturalization (MEIN)

To be eligible for the Citizenship by Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment in Malta, you must fit these eligibility criteria:

• Being at least 18 years old,
• Passing a due diligence test proving you are fit and proper,
• Having a clean criminal record,
• Not coming from a sanctioned country,
• Providing proof of residence in Malta for a period of 36 months before obtaining citizenship, provided that this period may, by exception, be reduced to a minimum of 12 months,
• And meeting a variety of investment requirements.

If you are not already resident in Malta, you will have to obtain a residential address and apply for your eResidence card through Identity Malta. You can learn more about applying for your eResidence card here.

Malta does not require you to be physically present in the country for that entire 36 or 12-month period in order to be considered a resident.

The main applicant for the MEIN can include the following family members, referred to as "dependants":

• the spouse in a monogamous relationship (marriage, civil union, domestic partnership, common-law marriage),
• the main applicant's or spouse's child under 18,
• unmarried children under 29 who are maintained by the main applicant,
• dependent parents over the age of 55 years, which must be fully dependent on the main applicant,
• the main applicant's or spouse's child above 18 with a recognized disability.

Investment requirements to get Malta citizenship through the MEIN

To get Malta citizenship through the MEIN, there are some investment requirements. An investment of at least €600,000 will allow you to apply for citizenship after 36 months of residency in Malta. To be qualified for Maltese citizenship after 12 months of residing in the country, you need to make a €750,000 minimum investment. Add an extra €50,000 investment per dependent.

Good to know:

The investment is not refundable.

Aside from the main investment, there are other investments requirements to get Malta citizenship :

• You need to buy a residential property in Malta worth at least €700,000.
• Alternatively, you can lease a Maltese residential property for a minimum annual rent of €16,000 for a minimum period of 5 years from the date of issue of the certificate of citizenship.
• In both cases, the property must be adequate and suitable for the applicant and their dependents.
• You must also carry out an exceptional direct investment in Malta in accordance with the Granting of Citizenship for Exceptional Services Regulations (S.L. 188.06).
• Finally, you need to donate a minimum of €10,000 to a registered philanthropic, cultural, sport, scientific, animal welfare or artistic non-governmental organization or society or as otherwise approved by the Agency Komunità Malta.

Read also Accommodation in Malta

Required documents for the Maltese Exceptional Investment Naturalization application process

All required documentation must be in English or accompanied by an authenticated translation. Working with your Accredited Agent (see notes below under “Final Notes”), you must submit the following documentation with your application for Maltese citizenship:

• Health certificate stating that you do not suffer from any contagious disease and that you are in good health;
• a police report issued by the Maltese Police and the local police of anywhere else you have resided for longer than six months during the last ten years;
• evidence that the applicant and any family members are fit and proper;
• commitment to remit all of your contributions;
• commitment of your intention to invest in real estate in the country or in other business; and
• any other related personal, travel, and financial documentation, as well as any other requested documentation from government authorities.

The applications and the accompanying documents must be completed in English. If the original language of a document is not English, the document needs to be accompanied by an authenticated translation into English.

Procedure to apply for Maltese citizenship by investment

In order to apply for Maltese citizenship by investment, you must follow a specific procedure.

Here are the key steps of the MEIN application process:

• Application for residence: go to Identity Malta and apply for your eResidence card. The application costs €10,000.
• Submission of eligibility assessment (due diligence): Maltese government conducts due diligence and proceeds to strict background verification checks on you and your dependents. The main applicant must pay €15,000 for the process. It costs an additional €10,000 per main applicant's dependent.
• Ministry issues an Approval in Principle.
• Submission for naturalization by proving you have made the required investments: you have four months to fulfill all the Malta Citizenship by Investment requirements. Then, apply for Maltese citizenship. An administrative fee of €500 applies.
• Oath-swearing followed up by the Maltese passport application. The oath-swearing must be completed within 6 months from the issuance date of the Letter of Approval in Principle.

Important notices about the Maltese Exceptional Investment Naturalization

Maltese authorities will verify the authenticity of the information you have provided regarding yourself and your family members.

The MEIN has a quota of 1,500 applications. Also, Malta will not grant more than 400 passports per year. These numbers are for the main applicants. Dependent applications may exceed these figures.

Ensure you understand all tax implications of becoming a citizen in Malta before beginning the application process.

Additional fees will apply, including passport fees, government due diligence fees, and bank fees.

Tax regime applying to new citizens in Malta

Taxation in Malta is very advantageous. As a citizen of Malta, you will not need to pay any inheritance tax, estate duty, wealth tax, municipal taxes, or property ownership tax.

Tax in Malta is based on residence and income source, not citizenship. If investors don't live in Malta and their income isn't from the country, they likely won't have to pay taxes. Foreign assets and income are taxed at the source, so no taxation in Malta should apply.

Read also The tax system in Malta

Malta Permanent Residence Programme: getting permanent residence by investment

Even though Maltese Citizenship by Naturalization for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment has many benefits, you may not be ready to commit to it. Instead of getting Maltese citizenship by investment, you could get permanent residence by investment. The Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) offers this possibility.

This program requires you to invest a minimum value of €98,000 in Malta, enter a property rental agreement with a minimum value of €10,000 per year and maintain it for a period of five years. You also need to make a charitable donation worth €2,000 to an NGO registered in Malta.

The MPRP will let you enjoy the benefits attached to permanent residence in Malta, such as visa-free access to the Schengen zone, a high-performing economy, a favorable tax system and good healthcare.

Read also Resident and work permit for Malta

Final notes on the Maltese Exceptional Investment Naturalization

Your application for naturalization under the Maltese Citizenship by Naturalization for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment must be submitted to the Maltese authorities by an Accredited Agent. This agent should be a lawyer that is familiar with Malta citizenship and real estate law.

Malta does allow for dual citizenship, but it's best to confirm with any other countries where you hold citizenship to understand their requirements. Having significant connections to certain countries may bar you from applying for the MEIN. Those countries are namely the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and North Korea.

There is no citizenship test or language test to obtain Maltese citizenship through the MEIN.

Citizenship can also be passed down to your descendants.

FAQ about the Maltese Exceptional Investment Naturalization

What is MEIN Malta?

It aims at non-Maltese citizens wishing to obtain citizenship of Malta by investing through Malta.

How much do you need to invest in Malta to get citizenship?

To get Maltese citizenship, you need to make a minimum €600,000 investment if you have completed 36 months of residency in Malta, or €750,000 for a one-year residency in Malta. In addition, you must purchase a residential property in Malta worth €750,000 or lease a property with an annual rental value of €16,000 for a duration of five years. Finally, you need to make a philanthropic donation.

How long does it take to get Maltese citizenship by investment?

If you have a lot of money, getting Maltese citizenship by investment saves you time. In many countries, naturalization can be obtained after between 6 and 12 years of residency in your host county. Thanks to the Maltese Exceptional Investment Naturalization, you can get Malta citizenship after 36 months of just one year.

Useful links:

The Aġenzija Komunità Malta

Malta citizen application forms

Granting of Citizenship for Exceptional Services Regulations