MALTACITIZENSHIP BY INVESTMENT
MIN INVESTMENT
€600,000
PROCESSING TIME
19-43 MONTHS
PERMIT TYPE
CITIZENSHIP
FAMILY
SPOUSE, CHILD, PARENT
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SUMMARY
The Maltese Exceptional Investor Naturalization (MEIN) program is the Malta citizenship by investment program. It is the world’s best-rated second citizenship program. In 2021, this initiative replaced the previous Individual Investor Programme (MIIP). Before applying for citizenship, you must first obtain residency. The MEIN expedites citizenship for applicants in a process that takes 1 to 3 years, depending on the investment size. Only applications from government-registered approved agents are accepted.
Malta Citizenship Program offers investors the opportunity to obtain Maltese citizenship. The principal applicant’s spouse, children, and parents can also apply. New children who are born to Maltese parents are automatically citizens.
Malta’s economic citizenship initiative combines a donation with a real estate investment. You have the choice of purchasing or renting a property in Malta, as well as determining the size of your contribution to the Maltese government. Donating further will shorten the wait time towards naturalization. The real estate investment must be kept for a minimum of five years.
Malta is a member of the European Union, and its people have freedom of movement in the EU. The Malta passport is one of the best in the world, and it is the only one on the passport market that allows you to fly to the United States without a visa, thanks to the US under the visa-waiver agreement.
Malta has a very favorable tax system. Non-domiciled residents have their foreign income taxed only on what they remit to Malta. With a minimum contribution of €25,000 per year, high earners can apply to the HNWI tax system, which offers a 15 percent flat rate on foreign income remitted to Malta. Those applying for the HNWI tax scheme must spend at least 90 days in Malta per calendar year and no more than 182 days in any other single jurisdiction.
POPULATION
460,000
CAPITAL
Valletta
CURRENCY
Euro
LANGUAGE
English/Maltese
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- TYPE: CITIZENSHIP
- VISA-FREE: EU, US
- PROCESS: 19 TO 43 MONTHS
INVESTMENT
The Malta Exceptional Investor Naturalisation (MEIN) replaced the Malta Individual Investor Programme (MIIP) in 2020. The investment option involves a donation and a real estate investment.
Individual investors must contribute a minimum of €600,000 to the Government’s National Development Fund and show proof of residency for 36 months. This is a non-refundable donation. If you want to bring your partner, infant, or minor children, you will have to pay an additional €25,000 for each of them. You must contribute an additional €50,000 per person for adult children and parents.
There is an expedited path that includes a €750,000 donation and proof of 12 months residency. In addition, investors must contribute €50,000 for each additional dependent on their application.
Investors must either make a second €700,000 investment in residential real estate or enter into a 5-year rental arrangement with a minimum value of €16,000 per year. It is not possible to rent or sublet the land. A mandatory €10,000 donation to a non-governmental authorised philanthropic, cultural, sporting, science, animal welfare, or artistic non-governmental organisation or society is also required.
Additional Fees
Cost of Main Applicant: €15,000 (IIP due diligence)+ €200 Bank fee + €5,000 on account from the €10,000 non-refundable deposit (E-Residence Card).
Cost of Dependent: €10,000 (due diligence) + €1,000 (E-Residence Card) + €200 (Bank fee). Free for child under 13
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PROCESS
Application Processing Time: 19-43 Months
Stage 1 - Month 1
You must first apply for residency before applying for citizenship. The accreditation agent will assist you in gathering all necessary paperwork and submitting an application for an E-Residency passport. Malta will verify your IIP eligibility and ask for a small deposit. It takes 3-4 weeks to obtain an E-residency. Before taking the oath, you must have lived in the area for at least 12 months, which means you would most likely wait 12 months after obtaining the E-card before taking the oath.
Stage 2 - Month 13
After the 12-month period has passed, you can submit your citizenship application. Within seven days of receiving your application, you will be notified of its completeness. Within three months, you can obtain a letter of approval in principle. You will have four months to complete the donation and investment criteria once this is received. After that, you submit the appropriate document to be reviewed one last time. You will be scheduled for the oath of allegiance if you are accepted.
Stage 3 - Month 19 to 43
After you've taken the oath and earned your Certificate of Naturalization, you can apply for a European Union Malta passport by filling out an application form. The Agent will be able to help you with your passport application.
CONDITIONS
- A series of requirements must be fulfilled to apply for Malta citizenship by investment program. Check all the requirements for obtaining Citizenship by Investment in Malta.
- Accommodation:
Immovable property cannot be left or sublet. - Financial Requirements:
Proof of economic self-sufficiency (for E-residency Card). - Criminal Record:
If the applicant has lived in another jurisdiction for a total of six years (including intermissions) in the last ten years, a police report from that jurisdiction must be issued. Initial police conduct certificates must be no more than six months old. - Medical Test:
Medical certificates stating that the applicant and his dependents are not suffering from contagious diseases and good health. - Health Insurance Coverage:
Applicants must have Global Health Insurance coverage of at least €50,000 for the primary claimant and each dependent, as well as evidence that they will be able to afford it indefinitely. - Residency:
Proof that the primary applicant has lived in Malta for at least 12 months before applying for naturalization. - Other Conditions:
In any given year, the names of all individuals who would have acquired Maltese citizenship are only published once in the Government Gazette.
FAMILY
- Parent Dependent
Dependents over the age of 55 (e.g. parents) who are entirely assisted by and are a member of the principal applicant's household. - Child Dependent
The Malta MEIN approves child dependents (or adopted child) of the principal applicant or its spouse if they are:
• Minors
• Under 29 by the time of approval in the program AND unmarried and economically dependent (e.g. students)
• Have a disability