Do you have any queries with regards to the Granting of Maltese Citizenship for Exceptional Services Regulations? – Please do not hesitate to contact us or check the FAQs below for an overview of the most frequently asked questions about the Malta Citizenship for Exceptional Services Regulations.

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Who is eligible to apply for the Malta Citizenship by Direct Investment?

The Granting of Maltese Citizenship for Exceptional Services Regulations is only open to individuals of good repute.
To apply for the Malta Citizenship by Direct Investment, the main applicant and qualifying family members shall be eligible if they:

  • Have completed the required residence period of either 36 months or by exception 12 months against a higher investment
  • Have passed an eligibility assessment
  • Contribute to Malta through an exceptional direct investment
  • Undertake to take an Oath of Allegiance to the Republic of Malta
  • Submit a clean police conduct certificate. For the purposes of the application process, this document must have been issued within the 6 months preceding the application and must be original. If issued in a language other than English, police conduct certificates must be accompanied by a certified translation. Police conduct certificates are required from the applicant’s country or countries of citizenship and from each country he/she has resided in for a minimal cumulative period of 6 months in the last 10 years.
  • Provide a declaration by a medical doctor that the applicant and qualifying family members are in good health, not suffering from any contagious disease, and not likely to become a burden on the Maltese public health system
  • Do not have an entry visa denial to any country with which Malta has visa-free arrangements (without subsequently obtaining a visa from that same country)

Read more about Malta Citizenship Eligibility and Requirements 

What are the Main Requirements under the Malta Citizenship by Direct Investment?

Prior to submitting a citizenship application under the Maltese Citizenship by Direct Investment Regulations, the applicant shall provide a title to a residential property in Malta. If the Minister is satisfied that the applicant meets the necessary criteria, the applicant is to submit the relevant forms and supporting documents. The applicant shall not submit the citizenship application before he has completed the residence requirement.

To apply for the Malta Citizenship by Direct Investment, he applicant is required to submit:

  • Proof of residence in Malta for at least thirty-six (36) months or by exception of (12) months against a higher investment, preceding the date of application
  • Undertaking to purchase a residential property worth at least €700,000 or rent a property for a minimum annual rent of €16,000, which shall be kept for a minimum of five (5) years from the oath of allegiance
  • Undertaking to donate prior to the issue of a certificate of naturalisation, a minimum of €10,000 to a registered and compliant philanthropic, cultural, sport, scientific, animal welfare or artistic NGO or society
  • Undertake to make a non-refundable investment of €600,000 when the application is submitted after 36 months of residence or €750,000 when the application is submitted after 12 months of residence
  • Undertake to make a non-refundable investment of €50,000 for each dependant
  • Once this is submitted, the Agency shall evaluate the application and submit a report to the Minister responsible for citizenship. If the Malta Citizenship application is approved, the Community Malta Agency shall issue a Letter of Approval in Principle to the Applicant. The applicant shall be required to complete the process and take the Oath of Allegiance within six (6) months from the approval.

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Can family members of the Main Applicant be included as dependants under the Malta Citizenship by Direct Investment Regulations

An applicant applying under the Maltese Citizenship for Exceptional Services  Regulations can include in a citizenship application 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
  • An economically dependent parent or grandparent of the Main Applicant or the spouse above the age of 55

Read more about Malta Citizenship Family Applications

Are applicants required to pay a donation to voluntary organisation under the Malta Citizenship by Direct Investment Regulations?

Yes, an applicant is required to make a philanthropic donation of €10,000 to a local and compliant registered philanthropic, cultural, sport, scientific, animal welfare or artistic NGO registered with the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations, or as otherwise approved by the Agency.

Are Due Diligence Fees payable for all family members when submitting an application for Malta Citizenship ?

When submitting an application for Maltese citizenship under these regulations the following due diligence fees are to be paid:

  • €15,000 – Main Applicant
  • €10,000 – Each Dependant
  • €15,000 – Benefactor (if applicable)

Due diligence fees are applicable to persons who are over the age of 12 years.

Which Nationalities are not allowed to apply under the Malta Citizenship by Direct Investment?

Applicants who are nationals of or have close ties to the following listed countries shall not be eligible to apply under the Malta Citizenship by Direct Investment.

List of countries that cannot apply for the Malta citizenship by direct investment:

  • Afghanistan
  • the Democratic Republic of Congo
  • Iran
  • North Korea
  • Somalia
  • South Sudan
  • Sudan
  • Syria
  • Venezuela
  • Yemen.

What is the Starting date for the Residence Period under the Malta Citizenship by Direct Investment Regulations?

The starting date for the residence period shall be the issuance date of the residence card.  If more than one person is applying within the same application, the start date will be of the person last issued with the residence permit.

All adult dependants who wish to apply for Maltese citizenship under the Regulations must hold a residence permit for the required periods.

Would the minimum property requirement no longer apply after the first five years under the Malta Citizenship for Exceptional Services Regulations

The beneficiary is not obliged to retain possession of the qualifying rented/purchase property after the first five years.

At what stage does the applicant for the Malta Citizenship by Direct Investment need to decide on the 1 year route or 3 year route?

The applicant should declare if they intend to go for the 3 year route or the 1 year route when applying for the residence permit.

Can the  applicant for the Malta Citizenship by Direct Investment add dependants at a later stage?

The application is taken as final when the citizenship eligibility application is submitted, and Eligibility Payment Request Voucher (EPRV) is duly paid. Only new-borns after that date can be added before the Oath of Allegiance is taken.

Is the Malta Citizenship by Direct Investment Applicant required to have Connecting Factors with Malta?

Prospective applicants are required to be physically in Malta and build connecting factors during the residence period.  These requirements shall be satisfied by providing documented proof.  It is required that the applicant presents to the Agency his proposal on how he intends to create these connecting factors when presenting the eligibility application.

What is the Quota of Applications under the Malta Citizenship for Exceptional Services Regulations?

The number of certificates granted under these Regulations (excluding dependants) shall not exceed four hundred (400) per annum, and a total of 1,500 for the duration of the regulations.

How can we help?

At ACC Immigration, we go beyond providing traditional legal services and focus on creating a solution that is tailored to the individual needs of the client. Besides offering professional legal counsel on the different aspects of Maltese law and taxation, our lawyers are licensed agents, meaning that they are authorised by the Maltese Government to submit the Citizenship Application to Community Malta Agency for approval. Moreover, expert advice is also given when it comes to property rental & purchase agreements, estate management and investment plans. Ultimately, our aim is to provide professional assistance at every stage of the process and guidance from the preparation of the application till the issuance of the Maltese Certificate of Naturalisation.

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