Exploring the Maltese Citizenship Visa: Criteria, Advantages and Costs of Securing a Second Passport

Malta has long been an appealing destination for foreign national expatriates. It is a full European Union member with a beautiful climate, a stable economy, a relaxed pace of life, and a rich cultural heritage—supported by a high-quality healthcare system, beneficial tax treatments, and a welcoming commercial landscape for business owners and investors.

As the only remaining route to European citizenship through investment, it is little wonder that the Malta Citizenship by Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment, better known as the Maltese golden visa, is in high demand.

Let’s review the benefits of Maltese dual citizenship, the eligibility and investment requirements, the potential ways to qualify for the program, and the options depending on your time pressures or priorities.

An Overview of the Maltese Citizenship by Investment Program

Whether you’re keen to settle in Malta in retirement, start a business with access to EU markets, or are interested in Malta’s strategic location and excellent air travel connections, the first aspect to consider is the minimum amount you’d need to invest to become a citizen—this starts at €600,000, excluding any property purchase fees.

There are two primary options which will influence that figure:

• Applying through the standard pathway means that successful applicants are initially awarded residency and can then apply for onward citizenship after 36 months.
• Making a higher initial qualifying investment of €750,000 entitles approved investors to become eligible for citizenship after just 12 months of residency.

The program is capped at a maximum of 400 candidates per year, which means it is selective.

Demand for the visa owing to visa-free travel freedoms, the ability to apply with dependent children, parents, grandparents and a spouse, and the fact that Malta recognises dual citizenship make thorough research and a comprehensive application essential requirements.

Investment Requirements for Maltese Golden Visa Applicants

Foreign nationals applying for the citizenship by investment program must fulfil several mandatory requirements, many of which are designed to ensure investors have a clear, sustained intention to contribute to the country’s economic development.

This is why most applicants have an initial three-year minimum residence period, which must be approved before the residence permit holder can apply for full citizenship, outside of the fast-track option connected to a larger investment value.

The investments, contributions and options are as follows:

• All applicants must donate €10,000 to a recognised, approved charitable organisation, such as an NGO, cultural, philanthropic, or animal welfare organisation approved by the Community Malta Agency.
• The minimum investment is €600,000 for those making a non-refundable contribution to the Maltese government, which increases to €750,000 in return for fast-track citizenship processing.
• Alternatives include either purchasing a Maltese residential property worth at least €700,000 and retaining it for five years or entering into a property rental agreement, also for at least five years, with a minimum annual rent of €16,000 and without the option to sublet during the retention period.

Further criteria apply. These include having a clear legal record, providing details of every country where applicants have lived over the last 10 years, sharing information about banking, investments, offshore activities and employment, and showing that applicants hold international health insurance valid for the full length of the residency period.

All applicants for the citizenship by investment scheme must be 18 or over and be prepared to provide this same information for any dependents or spouses included on their application.

Physical residency rules also apply, which means those hoping to acquire citizenship status must live in Malta for between 12 and 36 months, with the start date beginning when their residency permit is issued.

The Benefits of Securing a Maltese Second Passport Through the Investment Program

Foreign nationals select countries where they would most like to live, run a business, or raise their families for varied reasons, and the advantages of Maltese citizenship might, therefore, depend on your circumstances and plans. However, they include:

• Full EU citizenship status, with the ability to travel to any country within the EU and Schengen Zone and multiple other destinations without a visa or with relaxed visa-on-arrival entry requirements.
• Access to Malta’s reputable financial sector and commercial backdrops, which are often considered ideal for international business.
• Options to include a wider range of family members than many comparable residency by investment schemes, including a spouse, parents, children and grandparents.
• The right to enrol children in Maltese schools and universities, including any educational facilities across the EU.
• Generous taxation, with no inheritance or wealth taxes and no capital gains tax payable in Malta on foreign source income.

The application process can be lengthy, which means prospective expatriates must pay careful attention to their documentation, providing full information as required. Omissions or false information often result in immediate rejection, and fees already paid are non-refundable.

However, once the initial checks have been completed, foreign nationals can receive a residency permit fairly swiftly, enabling them to proceed with their relocation. This is followed by an eligibility application and further checks that ascertain the resident’s right to citizenship, which, as we’ve seen, can take just 12 months.

Independent Advice on Applying for the Maltese Citizenship Visa

Part of the significant appeal of Malta’s citizenship by investment scheme is that, following controversy and debate, many other programs that offered routes to direct citizenship in the EU have been closed or reformed, with only residency schemes now available.

In some regions, this is due to concerns about the unethical use of golden visa programs, but in others, governments have opted to remove options to qualify for permanent residence and onward citizenship to ease pressures on property shortages.

The longevity of the Maltese program, therefore, stands out, and once a foreign national, and their family members, hold full citizenship and a second passport, they can utilise their travel freedoms and the benefits of European citizenship for life.

Should you wish to learn more about applying for Maltese citizenship or the criteria we have outlined here, you are welcome to contact the Chase Buchanan team in Malta in St Julian’s to arrange a convenient time to talk.

All investments carry risk, including the potential loss of capital. You should carefully consider whether investing is suitable for you, taking into account your personal circumstances, financial situation, and risk tolerance.

*Information correct as at April 2025