How to Get Citizenship in Malta | 3 Easiest Ways

Malta is one of the few EU countries that allows for multiple citizenships, visa-free travel to 190 countries, and high investment returns. There are many ways to get citizenship in Malta such as citizenship by marriage, descent, or family reunification, there’s also an option created especially for investors. In 2020, Malta launched its new citizenship-by-investment programme, officially known as Citizenship by Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment. In this article, we are going to cover how to get Malta citizenship by investment, its benefits, investment opportunities, and how to get Malta citizenship by investment.

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Key Takeaways 

• The main benefits of obtaining citizenship in Malta as an investor are a strong global visa-free travel, family reunification, an investor-friendly tax system, high investment returns, business opportunities, and multiple citizenship permission.
• There are 3 requirements you must follow to obtain citizenship by investment in Malta: direct investment, real estate investment, and charity donation.
• To obtain citizenship in Malta, you need to contact a professional, ensure you meet eligibility criteria, choose the type of investment, submit the application, and within the next 4 months after receiving the letter of approval-in-principle for your citizenship, you execute with the investment. 

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What is a Citizenship by Investment Programme and How Does it Work in Malta?

If you’re looking for information on how to get Malta citizenship, you’ve probably looked into the citizenship by investment programme. This programme, which was announced in 2020, helps you and your family get Maltese citizenship by contributing to Malta’s economic development. As an investor, you’ll need to make the minimum amount of investment and reside in this country for 12 or 36 months. After direct investment, you must maintain a residential property for the following 5 years and make a one-time charity donation.

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What Are 6 Benefits of Getting Citizenship in Malta as an Investor?

The Malta MPRP costs €68,000–€98,000 in government contribution plus a property purchase (€375,000+) or lease (€14,000+/yr). Total investment typically ranges from €450,000–€600,000 including property. The GRP requires property purchase (€275,000+) or lease and a minimum €15,000/year tax contribution at a 15% flat rate.

1. Visa-free travel

Many people are interested in how to get Malta citizenship because of its strong passport. The Maltese passport ranks as the 5th highest passport in the world and allows its holders to travel visa-free or visa-on-arrival to 190 countries including every country in Europe, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, the United States of America and many more.

Not sure which investment route is right for you? Get a free programme assessment from Mirabello Consultancy's expert team.

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2. Family Reunification

As an investor, you can include your relatives in the application for citizenship. The applicant can include the following dependents:

• Spouse
• Parents of the Main applicant and Spouse, over the age of 55
• Children under the age of 18
• Financially dependent children under the age of 29

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3. Investor-friendly tax system

Malta is one of the few EU countries that has implemented the full imputation tax system, aiming to prevent the same income from being taxed multiple times. Here's how it works: After earning a profit and paying the 35% corporate tax, the company distributes the after-tax profit as dividends to shareholders, along with a tax credit for the corporate tax already paid. Afterward, shareholders include both the dividend and the tax credit in their taxable income. They can use the tax credit to reduce the amount of personal income tax they owe. 

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4. High investment returns

Many people are interested in how to get Malta citizenship by investment because they are attracted by high investment returns. Considering the fact that there have been more than 3 million tourists in Malta in 2023, investors can buy a property.

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5. Business opportunities

Getting Maltese citizenship gives you an opportunity to establish and expand your business in EU countries. Malta provides a favorable business environment, a well-regulated financial sector, a strong legal framework, and supportive governance policies, this country encourages entrepreneurship and innovative business solutions.

Have questions about Malta citizenship? Schedule a free discovery call with our Swiss-based advisors.

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6. Multiple Citizenship

There’s good news for people who wonder whether Malta allows dual citizenship. The country allows multiple citizenship, so if you want to have a new EU passport and hold your previous citizenship, it’s an excellent choice for you and your next generation.

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Citizenship by Investment: How Can You Become an Investor in Malta?

There are 3 main steps you should follow to obtain Maltese citizenship:

1. Direct Investment

With the first step, the applicant must make a non-refundable investment in the National Development and Social Fund (NDSF). It funds projects like public health, education, job formulation, social improvement, etc.

To be eligible for this type of investment, the applicant should have completed at least 1 year of residency. 

The minimum amount of investment is:

• Single applicant: If the applicant has already completed 3 years of residency in Malta, the minimum amount of investment is €600,000, if he/she has completed only one year of residency, €750,000,
• Spouse: €50,000,
• Other dependents (children/parents): €50,000 each.

The investment must be made within 4 months after receiving a letter of approval for your Malta citizenship. 

Every family's situation is unique. Book your free consultation to discuss a tailored Malta citizenship strategy.

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2. Real estate investment

Within 4 months of receiving a letter of approval for your Malta citizenship he/she must:

• Buy a property in Malta for €700,000 or more and maintain its ownership for 5+ years

• Lease a property in Malta that has a minimum annual rent of €16,000 for 5+ years. Subleasing the property is not allowed.

The purchased or rented property must be held for at least five years.

3. Charity Donation

During the next 4 months after receiving a letter of approval for Malta’s citizenship by investment, the applicant must donate a minimum of €10,000 to a local non-profit organisation. Applicants can select from various eligible philanthropic, artistic, sports, scientific, or cultural non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and societies registered in Malta.

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What Are the Eligibility Criteria?

The Malta MPRP costs €68,000–€98,000 in government contribution plus a property purchase (€375,000+) or lease (€14,000+/yr). Total investment typically ranges from €450,000–€600,000 including property. The GRP requires property purchase (€275,000+) or lease and a minimum €15,000/year tax contribution at a 15% flat rate.

Before applying for Maltese citizenship by investment, make sure you meet the eligibility criteria. As an applicant, you should

• Be at least 18 years old
• Have established a Maltese residence
• Be in good health
• Have a clean criminal record
• If you include dependents, they can be your spouse, parents, or grandparents above the age of 55, children under the age of 18, or from 18 to 29 who are financially dependent.
• Be able to make the minimum amount of investment

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How to Get Malta Citizenship Through an Investment Programme?

If you’re wondering how to get Malta citizenship by an investment programme, here are the steps you should follow:

• Contact a Professional: Work with an agency specializing in citizenship by investment, like Mirabello Consultancy, to guide you through the process.
• Ensure Eligibility: Make sure you meet the eligibility criteria.
• Choose the type of investment:  Select from options like direct investment, real estate investment, and charity donation.
• Submit the application to the Government: After preparing all the necessary documents, submit the application.
• Receive a letter of approval for Malta citizenship
• Make the investment: Within the next 4 months after receiving the letter of approval for your citizenship, make the investment.

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Conclusion

In this article, we’ve talked about how to get Malta citizenship, focusing on citizenship through the investment programme. We’ve highlighted all the benefits of this programme, including family reunification, an investor-friendly tax system, and business opportunities. After listing the 3 main steps required for citizenship, we’ve also talked about the eligibility criteria and overall submission process. If you’re interested in obtaining Maltese citizenship, our professionals are always happy to guide you.

FAQ

How long does it take to get Malta citizenship?

First of all, you’ll need to understand how to become a citizen of Malta. Depending on the naturalization path you choose, the time required to obtain the citizenship and passport may vary. For example, with the Malta citizenship by investment programme, you can apply for citizenship after only 12 months. If you choose naturalization through a different path, obtaining citizenship can take at least 5-7 years.

Is Malta cheap to live in?

Compared to many EU countries, like Germany, Spain, or France, Malta is considered more affordable. The cost of living for a single person (without the rent) is about €807 per month.

How easy is it to get Maltese citizenship?

Getting citizenship in Malta can be a complex and time-consuming process. Depending on the option you choose to obtain citizenship, the number of documents, money, and the minimum amount of stay may vary. That’s why it’s recommended to consult with a trustworthy agency from the start.

Which Other Caribbean CBI Programmes Should You Consider?

If you are exploring Caribbean citizenship by investment, these programmes offer different advantages:

• Greece CBI — undefined
• Portugal CBI — undefined
• Cyprus CBI — undefined

Compare all programmes in our complete citizenship by investment guide.

Frequently Asked Questions About Malta Citizenship by Investment

What Malta Residency Programmes Are Currently Active in 2026?

Malta currently offers two active investment residency programmes: the Malta Permanent Residency Programme (MPRP) and the Malta Global Residence Programme (GRP). The Malta CBI programme (MEIN) was permanently closed in April 2025 following an ECJ ruling that it violated EU principles. The MPRP provides permanent residency with Schengen access; the GRP provides tax residency with a 15% flat rate on remitted foreign income. Citizenship by Naturalisation is still technically available but is merit-based and discretionary.

How Much Does the Malta Permanent Residency Programme (MPRP) Cost?

The MPRP costs €68,000–€98,000 in government contribution (depending on whether you purchase or rent property), plus a property purchase (€375,000 minimum) or lease (€14,000+ per year), plus a €2,000 philanthropic donation per application. MPRP includes your spouse, children, parents, and grandparents. Total investment typically ranges from €450,000–€600,000 depending on property and family size.

What Is the Malta Global Residence Programme (GRP)?

The Malta Global Residence Programme (GRP) is a tax residency programme providing a 15% flat tax rate on foreign income remitted to Malta, with a minimum annual tax contribution of €15,000. You must purchase property worth at least €275,000 (or €220,000 in the south of Malta/Gozo) or lease for €9,600/year minimum. GRP provides Schengen residency rights and is particularly attractive for HNW individuals seeking EU tax residency with a flat rate on foreign income.

Does Malta Residency Give Access to the Schengen Area?

Yes. Both the MPRP and GRP provide Schengen Area residency rights, allowing unrestricted travel across the 26 Schengen states. Malta residency does not automatically grant the right to live and work in other EU member states — that requires Maltese citizenship, which can be obtained via naturalisation after 5 years of legal residency. Malta's EU/Schengen access is a major advantage over non-EU residency programmes.

Who Can Be Included as Dependants in the Malta MPRP?

The MPRP has the most generous family inclusion of any European residency programme. Dependants may include: a spouse, financially dependent children (including adult children up to 29 in certain circumstances), parents, and grandparents of both the principal applicant and the spouse. An additional property/lease and contribution payment is required for parents and grandparents. Additional due diligence fees apply per family member.

What Happened to Malta CBI (MEIN)?

The Malta Individual Investor Programme (MIIP/MEIN) was permanently closed in April 2025. The European Court of Justice ruled that Malta's citizenship by investment scheme violated the principle of sincere cooperation under the EU Treaty by treating EU citizenship as a commercial product. This does not affect existing MEIN-granted citizenships. The MPRP (permanent residency) and GRP (tax residency) remain fully active and legal under EU law.

Can Malta Residency Lead to Maltese Citizenship?

Yes. After 5 years of legal residency in Malta, you may apply for Maltese citizenship by naturalisation. Maltese citizenship provides one of the world's strongest passports (Henley rank 4th, 176+ visa-free countries including the USA) and full EU citizenship rights — freedom to live and work in any of the 27 EU member states. Mirabello Consultancy can advise on the optimal pathway from Malta residency to citizenship.