Malta is no longer a citizenship-by-investment country. On 29 April 2025 the Court of Justice of the European Union ruled Malta's investor-citizenship scheme contrary to EU law, and the priced route was wound down during 2025. If you have been researching a Maltese passport through investment, this guide explains exactly what changed, whether existing citizens are affected, and the lawful routes to Maltese and EU citizenship that remain in 2026.
- The Court of Justice of the EU ruled Malta's investor-citizenship scheme (MEIN) contrary to EU law on 29 April 2025, in Case C-181/23.
- Malta's citizenship-by-investment route was wound down in 2025. Malta is no longer a CBI country.
- Existing Maltese citizenships are not revoked by the ruling.
- Maltese, and therefore EU, citizenship is now reached through lawful residence and naturalisation, or a discretionary merit-based route.
- The merit route has no fixed investment and is not a purchasable programme.
- For a fast second citizenship, the Caribbean investment programmes remain fully legal, processing in roughly 3-6 months.
What changed for Malta citizenship in 2025?
Malta stopped granting citizenship by direct investment in 2025. On 29 April 2025 the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) held, in Case C-181/23, that Malta's 2020 investor-citizenship scheme amounted to commercialising Union citizenship and breached EU law. Malta stated it would honour the judgment, and the priced investor route was wound down during 2025.
The scheme in question was formally the Maltese Citizenship by Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment, often called the Malta Exceptional Investor Naturalisation (MEIN) or, colloquially, the Malta golden passport. It required a substantial financial contribution, property, and a donation. Following the ruling, that direct-investment pathway is no longer available.
Does the ruling affect people who already hold a Maltese passport?
No. The CJEU ruling does not retroactively invalidate citizenships already granted. People who obtained Maltese citizenship under the previous programme keep their status and their passports. The judgment concerns Malta's ability to continue operating the scheme going forward, not the standing of existing citizens.
Can you still get EU citizenship through investment anywhere?
No European Union member state currently grants citizenship through direct financial investment. Malta was the last to do so. EU citizenship today is reached only through lawful residence followed by naturalisation, typically after several years, in countries such as Malta, Portugal or Cyprus. Golden-visa style residency programmes can start that clock, but residency and citizenship are distinct: a residence permit does not by itself confer a passport.
How can you obtain Maltese citizenship now?
Two lawful routes to Maltese citizenship remain in 2026: naturalisation after a qualifying period of lawful residence, and a discretionary naturalisation on the basis of merit. Neither is a purchasable programme in the way the former investor scheme was.
Residence, then naturalisation
The most common path is to establish lawful residence in Malta, for example through the Malta Permanent Residence Programme, and then apply to naturalise once the residence, integration and language conditions are met. The Malta Permanent Residence Programme is a residency route and does not itself grant citizenship. You can read more on our Malta residency programme page.
Discretionary naturalisation on the basis of merit
Malta retains a discretionary, merit-based naturalisation for individuals who render an exceptional service or contribution to Malta or to humanity. Under the Granting of Citizenship by Naturalisation on the Basis of Merit Regulations (Subsidiary Legislation 188.06), made under Article 10(9) of the Maltese Citizenship Act, the route recognises exceptional standing in fields such as science and research, technology, sport, entrepreneurship, culture and the arts, and philanthropy. It carries no fixed investment, contribution or donation, only the agency's processing fees, and every case is assessed individually by an independent Evaluation Board, with the final decision resting at the Minister's discretion. It is not a route to buy citizenship, and it is not marketed as a product.
What are the realistic alternatives if you want a second citizenship?
If your goal is a lawful second citizenship or reliable EU access, several genuine options remain in 2026. The right choice depends on your timeline, budget and objectives.
- A fast second citizenship: the Caribbean citizenship-by-investment programmes, St Kitts and Nevis, Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada and Saint Lucia, remain fully legal and typically process in around 3-6 months. Explore the best citizenship by investment programmes.
- EU residency with a longer path to citizenship: residency routes in Malta, Portugal or Cyprus can lead to naturalisation over a period of years. Compare the best golden visa and residency programmes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Malta citizenship by investment still available in 2026?
No. Malta's citizenship-by-investment scheme was ruled contrary to EU law by the Court of Justice of the EU on 29 April 2025 (Case C-181/23) and was wound down in 2025. Malta no longer offers citizenship through direct investment.
What replaced the Malta citizenship-by-investment programme?
Malta retains a discretionary, merit-based naturalisation for people who make an exceptional contribution to the country. It has no fixed investment and is not a purchasable programme; each case is assessed on its own merits by the Maltese authorities.
Do existing Maltese passports remain valid?
Yes. The ruling does not retroactively invalidate citizenships already granted. Existing Maltese citizens keep their status.
Can I obtain EU citizenship by investment anywhere else?
No EU member state currently grants citizenship through direct investment. EU citizenship is reached only through lawful residence and naturalisation over several years.
What is the fastest legal route to a second citizenship now?
The Caribbean citizenship-by-investment programmes remain the fastest legal route, typically processing in around 3-6 months, with investment from about USD 200,000.
How do I start with Mirabello Consultancy?
Request a confidential, no-obligation assessment and a senior Mirabello adviser will map the realistic, lawful routes to Maltese or EU citizenship and residency for your circumstances. Request a confidential assessment.
Confidential citizenship and residency assessment
Every situation is different. To understand the realistic, lawful routes to Maltese or EU citizenship and residency for your circumstances, including where a Caribbean second passport or an EU residency route may fit better, request a confidential, no-obligation assessment with a senior Mirabello adviser operating from Zurich and Dubai.
Request a confidential assessmentMalta's era of citizenship by direct investment ended in 2025, but lawful, credible routes to a second citizenship remain, whether through Maltese residence and naturalisation, Malta's discretionary merit route, or the Caribbean investment programmes for those who need speed. The right path depends on your goals, and the wrong information can be costly. Mirabello Consultancy provides Swiss-precision guidance grounded in official sources. Book a confidential consultation to review your options.
