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Maltese Citizenship by Naturalization
Launched in November 2020, The Maltese Citizenship by Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment provides for the granting of citizenship by a certificate of naturalization to any foreign individuals and their families who contribute to the country’s economic development. More commonly referred to as the Maltese Exceptional Investor Naturalization (MEIN) programme.
MEIN programme allows individuals and their families/dependents to obtain citizenship by making a direct investment granting applicants a Maltese and EU passport. To qualify the following requirements must be fulfilled: -
Minimum age of 18 years for all applicants.
Applicants can choose between the ‘Standard Route’ which requires 36 months or the ‘Expedited Procedure’ which requires 12 months before applying for citizenship.
Under the Standard Route, a contribution of €600,000 is required for a minimum residence period of 36 months and for the Expedite Procedure a contribution of €750,000 is required for a minimum residence period of 12 months.
The applicant’s dependents can benefit from the naturalisation process for an additional fee of €50,000 and dependents include the spouse, children (including adopted children), unmarried children who are above 18 years but below 29 years of age, parents and grandparents who are at least 55 years of age and financially dependent by the applicant.
The purchase of the residential property must be of at least €700,000 which must be held for five years or alternatively the lease of a residential property with a rental value of at least €16, 000 per annum also held for five years.
A minimum donation of €10,000 is to be made to a registered sport, cultural, scientific, philanthropic, animal welfare or artistic non-governmental organization approved by the Community Malta Agency.
The rules aim to have highly respectable and law-abiding citizens acquiring Maltese Citizenship. Applicants undergo a secure background check and the process to grant citizenship is a 4-tier process with strictest due diligence standards and vetting.
Tier 1: Is the application for a Maltese Residence Card
Tier 2: Application for Eligibility Test
Tier 3: Application for Maltese Citizenship
Tier 4: Letter of Approval in Principle and Investment Obligation.
The Community Malta Agency will conduct continuous monitoring for five years.
If successful, a citizenship application is submitted after 36 months of residence (or 12 months by exception). After acceptance, the applicant will then be required to fulfil the investment donation and property requirements.
Making a direct investment in Malta through the Malta Citizenship By Direct Investment Regulations is one of the most efficient routes to access all EU states.
