Malta Citizenship Benefits
With the continuously changing social and political environment a number of high-net-worth individuals are willing to invest and relocate themselves and their family members to countries which can offer more stability, safety and peace of mind.
Malta provides a pathway to citizenship through the Maltese Citizenship by Merit Regulations, which enables eligible applicants to apply for Maltese citizenship upon making an exceptional contribution to the country and satisfying the applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.
Upon acquiring Maltese citizenship, successful applicants enjoy the right to reside permanently in Malta and benefit from visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to more than 190 destinations worldwide, together with the rights and privileges associated with citizenship of a Member State of the European Union
Maltese Citizenship – Eligibility
Eligibility for Maltese Citizenship by Merit is reserved for individuals who have attained a high level of distinction or recognition within their field and whose expertise or accomplishments are expected to make a significant contribution to Malta’s cultural, scientific, or economic development. Applicants must also successfully satisfy comprehensive background and due diligence checks to demonstrate a sound legal and reputational standing.
Each application must be supported by credible and verifiable evidence of the applicant’s achievements and potential contributions. Applicants should also maintain a residential address in Malta or Gozo by either purchasing or leasing a residential property. In addition, applicants are required to have been legally resident in Malta for a minimum period of eight months prior to submitting their application for citizenship by merit.
Visa Free Travel to over 190 countries
Maltese nationals enjoy visa-free or visa on arrival access to over 190 countries and territories, ranking the Maltese passport within the top 10 passports globally.
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Safety & Stability
Malta is ranked by various indexes as one of the safest countries not only in Europe but also worldwide. This is determined by various factors such as respect to other cultures and religions, multi-culturalism, freedom of press, women-safety, minimal exposure to natural disasters and Malta’s economic and political stability. As an EU Member State, Malta is recognized globally as a safe and secure place wherein investors feel themselves part of a welcoming community.
Family Members may be Included
In a Maltese Citizenship application submitted under these Merit Regulations, the applicant may include the following dependents:
- The spouse in a monogamous marriage or partner having the same or similar status. The term spouse shall be construed as gender neutral
- A child of the Main Applicant or the spouse under the age of eighteen (18)
- An economically dependent and unmarried child of the Main Applicant or the spouse who has not yet attained the age of twenty-nine (29), at the time when the citizenship application is accepted by the Agency
- A child of the Main Applicant or the spouse, including an adopted child who at the time of the application has attained the age of eighteen (18) and is qualified as a person with a disability
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Citizenship for life with the right to settle, stay and reside permanently in Malta
The applicant and all family members get the right to settle, stay, work and reside permanently in Malta with no restrictions.
Right to hold Dual Citizenship
With effect from February 2000, Malta allows dual and multiple citizenship. The Constitution of Malta holds that dual or multiple citizenship is permitted in accordance with any law for the time being in force in Malta. Thus, under Maltese law one is not obliged to renounce his original citizenship.
Free Healthcare & Education
All Maltese citizens enjoy free healthcare and education. Malta enjoys one of the best health systems in the world and has been ranked by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in the top five countries for overall healthcare services. Maltese health care is funded through national insurance and taxation, and citizens enjoy free medical services such as hospitalization, prescriptions, pregnancy, childbirth and treatments by specialists, thus covered by state fund. Malta and Gozo both have a main hospital and a network of smaller regional health centres.
Maltese citizens also enjoy free public schools for children living both in Malta and Gozo. Transport to and from school is also paid by the state. Since Malta is a bilingual country, both English and Maltese are spoken in the classrooms. Apart from public schools, one can find a good number of independent and international schools that cater for foreigners in Malta.
The University of Malta is publicly funded and is also free for Maltese citizens. In addition, students receive a stipend as well as an allowance for academic-related expenditure.
Citizenship is Passed down to Future Generations
Citizenship obtained under the Citizenship by Merit Regulations gives the rights of full citizenship for life and can be passed on to future generations by descent irrespective of where the child is born.
Citizenship May Be Extended to a Future Spouse
Maltese citizenship acquired under Citizenship by Merit framework carries the full rights and privileges of Maltese citizenship for life. In addition, where the applicable legal requirements are satisfied, a future spouse may become eligible to acquire Maltese citizenship by registration following five years of marriage to a Maltese citizen, subject to the provisions of the Maltese Citizenship Act and the fulfilment of any applicable statutory conditions.
Get in Touch
Managing Partner of ACC Advisors Ltd. Dr Mifsud Parker is a member of the Malta Chamber of Advocates and is an accredited Malta Citizenship Agent by Agenzija Komunita Malta holding licence RES-ACCA. ACC’s team of Malta Citizenship lawyers has several years of experience in Malta citizenship law, immigration, taxation, trusts and estates and property law.