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Malta Citizenship by Investment
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Citizenship by Investment

Malta

The gold standard of EU citizenship by investment — fully approved by the European Commission.

Citizenship186 Visa-Free CountriesFrom €600,00012–14 months
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Programme at a Glance
Min. Investment
€600,000
Processing
12–14 months
Visa-Free Access
186 countries
Family Members
Spouse, children, parents
Stay Requirement
12 months
Tax Benefit
Yes
Verified by senior advisor
Updated June 2026 · Sourced from government regulations
Why investors trust us
Independent
No developer commissions
NDA on every engagement
Confidential by default
98% success rate
First-submission approvals
Overview

Overview

Malta's Citizenship by Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment (MEIN) programme offers one of the world's most prestigious second passports — full EU citizenship with visa-free access to 186 countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, and the entire Schengen zone.

As the only EU citizenship-by-investment programme formally approved by the European Commission, Malta's programme provides unparalleled legal certainty and international recognition. Successful applicants receive full Maltese citizenship and, by extension, European Union citizenship — with the right to live, work, and study in any of the EU's 27 member states.

Key benefits

Key Benefits

Full EU Citizenship
Live, work, and study anywhere in all 27 EU member states. Pass citizenship to future generations by descent.
186 Visa-Free Countries
One of the world's strongest passports. Includes US ESTA, UK, Canada, Japan, and the full Schengen zone.
EU Business Freedom
Establish companies across the EU's single market of 450 million consumers with full freedom of establishment.
Tax Advantages
Malta's non-domicile tax regime offers significant savings for internationally mobile investors and their families.
Full Family Inclusion
Spouse, children under 29, and dependent parents and grandparents can all be included in your application.
Political Stability
EU member state since 2004, Schengen since 2007. Strong rule of law and AAA-rated political environment.
Investment options

Investment Options

Option 1

Fast-Track Route — 12 Months

For applicants wanting the fastest possible path to EU citizenship
From €600,000
From

A one-time contribution of €600,000 to the National Development and Social Fund, plus a €10,000 administration fee. You must hold qualifying property for 5 years (purchase min. €700,000 or lease min. €16,000/year) and make a €10,000 charitable donation to an approved Maltese NGO. Total cost for a single applicant is approximately €900,000–€1,100,000.

12-month residency~€900K–€1.1M totalFastest EU citizenship
Option 2

Standard Route — 36 Months

Lower contribution threshold with a longer residency period
From €750,000
From

A contribution of €750,000 with the same property and donation requirements as the fast-track route. Suitable for applicants with business interests in Malta who can naturally fulfil the longer residency period. Total cost approximately €1,000,000–€1,300,000.

36-month residency~€1M–€1.3M totalLower contribution
Eligibility

Application Requirements

Minimum age of 18 years at time of application
Clean criminal record in all countries of residence (past 10 years)
No pending criminal charges in any jurisdiction
Proof of legitimate source of funds
Minimum 12 or 36 months of legal Maltese residency (depending on route)
Valid health insurance covering all EU member states (min. €30,000 coverage)
Qualifying property (purchase or lease) maintained for 5 years
Charitable donation to approved Maltese NGO (€10,000)
Contribution to the National Development and Social Fund
Timeline

Application Process & Timeline

  1. Consultation & Pre-Application Due Diligence

    2–4 weeks

    Eligibility assessment, due diligence review, and programme selection with your Citizen Sure advisor.

  2. Document Preparation & Compilation

    4–8 weeks

    Complete application dossier preparation — personal documents, financial records, police clearances, and medical certifications.

  3. Residency Permit Issuance

    2–3 months from submission

    Following initial approval, your Maltese residency permit is issued and your mandatory residency period begins.

  4. Government Due Diligence

    4–6 months

    The Maltese government conducts its own comprehensive background checks — among the most rigorous in the industry.

  5. Approval in Principle

    After residency period

    Upon successful due diligence, you receive an Approval in Principle letter. Investments and fees are then settled.

  6. Citizenship Certificate & Passport

    2–4 weeks after approval

    Following fulfilment of all investment obligations, your citizenship certificate and Maltese passport are issued.

Frequently Asked Questions

Malta Citizenship — frequently asked

The questions advisors hear most often on this topic. If your situation is more specific, the senior-advisor consultation is the fastest route to a tailored answer.

Senior advisor response
2 hours
Average reply during business hours

Yes. Your spouse or partner in a duly registered relationship, financially dependent children under 29, and financially dependent parents or grandparents of you or your spouse can all be included. Additional government contributions apply per family member. Our advisors will confirm the exact costs for your family structure.

Yes, Malta fully permits dual or multiple citizenship. You are not required to renounce your existing nationality when you obtain Maltese citizenship. You should verify whether your current country permits dual nationality — we can advise on the specific rules for your nationality.

No. Once naturalised, there is no ongoing residency requirement for Maltese citizens. However, you must maintain qualifying property (by purchase or lease) for a minimum of 5 years from the date of the citizenship certificate.

For a single applicant via the 12-month fast-track route, the total cost is approximately €900,000 to €1,100,000, including the €600,000 contribution, property costs, charitable donation, and government administration fees. Costs increase for family members. Our advisors will provide a precise cost estimate during your free consultation.

Citizen Sure maintains a 98% success rate across all programmes, including Malta. Our rigorous pre-application due diligence — which identifies and resolves any potential issues before formal submission — is the primary reason for this rate. We never submit an application we are not confident will succeed.

Malta provides full citizenship and a Maltese passport immediately upon approval, while Portugal's Golden Visa grants residency first, with citizenship eligibility after 5 years. Malta requires a significantly higher investment but delivers EU citizenship — the strongest status — directly. The right choice depends on your specific goals, budget, and timeline.

Client stories

What clients say about Malta Citizenship

View all stories
"

"Citizen Sure guided our family through Malta citizenship with exceptional professionalism. We now hold EU passports — the process was seamless from first consultation to passport in hand."

AK
Arjun K.
Technology Entrepreneur · Mumbai → Malta
"

"Speed and certainty were our priorities. They secured UAE Golden Visas for our entire family in under three weeks. Their government relationships and due diligence process were genuinely impeccable."

SL
Sophie L.
Family Office Director · Paris → Dubai
"

"Two years into our Portugal Golden Visa journey, we're on track for EU citizenship. The investment has already paid for itself many times over in business opportunities and lifestyle freedom."

RC
Rafael C.
Real Estate Developer · São Paulo → Lisbon
"

"I was initially sceptical about the process, but the team's expertise and transparency gave me complete confidence. Our Caribbean passports arrived in 58 days, exactly as promised."

WZ
Wei Z.
Fund Manager · Shanghai → St. Kitts
Ready to start?

Get a tailored Malta Citizenship plan.

A senior advisor will assess your Malta Citizenship eligibility, structure your application, and lay out the timeline — typically within a 30-minute call.

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Senior advisor responds within 2 hrs Strict NDA · Confidential
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Programme perspective

Malta Citizenship by Investment — Complete 2026 Guide

Malta's Citizenship by Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment (MEIN) programme is the world's most prestigious citizenship by investment pathway offering EU citizenship. Established under Legal Notice 437 of 2020 and formally approved by the European Commission, it is the only EU CBI programme with this level of international recognition and legitimacy.

Is Malta Citizenship by Investment Worth It?

For internationally mobile investors and families seeking EU access, the Malta citizenship programme offers exceptional long-term value. Maltese citizenship provides the right to live, work, and study in any of the 27 EU member states, visa-free travel to 186 countries, and the ability to pass citizenship to future generations by descent. For UHNW families with global business interests and children who may benefit from EU education and career opportunities, the programme represents one of the most significant investments they can make in their family's future.

€600,000
Min. investment

≈ $650K USD

13 mo
Processing time

Typical, indicative

186
Visa-free reach

Countries on this passport

Yes
Family inclusion

Spouse + dependants

Yes
Tax benefits

Per programme rules

98%
Success rate

First-submission approvals