Maltese Citizenship by Merit – Malta Citizenship

Malta provides a statutory framework under which citizenship may be granted by naturalisation to individuals who have or will render exceptional service or make an exceptional financial contribution to the Republic of Malta, or whose naturalisation is considered to be of exceptional interest to Malta. Such a framework is known as Citizenship by Merit.

These regulations are rooted in Article 10(9) of the Maltese Citizenship Act and is governed by the Granting of Citizenship by naturalisation on the basis of merit regulations, as amended in 2025. It reflects Malta’s sovereign competence to determine who may become a citizen while placing the emphasis on exceptional merit, contribution and national interest rather than on a predetermined financial transaction.

Citizenship under the Maltese citizenship by merit regulations, is not granted automatically upon satisfying a checklist of requirements, nor is there a points-based system or guaranteed outcome. Each case is considered individually, following due diligence and an assessment of the applicant’s background, proposed contribution or service, and overall suitability for naturalisation.

From Citizenship by Investment to Citizenship by Merit

Malta’s citizenship laws have undergone significant reform following the judgment of the Court of Justice of the European Union in Commission v Malta (Case C-181/23), delivered on 29 April 2025.

The revised framework places the emphasis on the personal qualities and achievements of the applicant, the value of the contribution and service proposed, and the national interest served by the applicant’s naturalisation.

Citizenship by Merit should therefore be understood as a discretionary route to naturalisation based on exceptional circumstances, rather than an investment programme.

Article 10(9) of the Maltese Citizenship Act empowers the Minister responsible for citizenship matters to grant citizenship by naturalisation where an applicant:

has or will render exceptional services to Malta;
has or will make an exceptional contribution to Malta; or
is considered to be of exceptional interest to the Republic of Malta.

Who May Qualify for Citizenship by Merit?

The legislation contemplates applicants whose achievements or contribution are exceptional when viewed against the wider public interest.

Potential applicants may include individuals in fields such as science, research, technology, entrepreneurship, sport, culture and the arts, as well as individuals whose philanthropic activities or economic initiatives have a significant and demonstrable impact.

Examples may include:

entrepreneurs and investors
philanthropists who can make a substantial impact;
founders of innovative technology companies;
internationally recognised scientists and researchers;
internationally acclaimed athletes;
artists and cultural figures of international standing;
individuals possessing expertise or capabilities that are strategically important to Malta.

These examples are illustrative rather than exhaustive. The central question is whether the applicant’s achievements, contribution or profile can properly be characterised as exceptional.

How the Citizenship by Merit Process Works

The amendments introduced a more structured process for assessing merit-based applications. The process broadly involves the following stages:

The applicant and family members must first submit an application for residence in Malta. Following preliminary approval, the applicants are required to travel to Malta to provide their biometrics, after which residence cards are typically issued within approximately one month.
A comprehensive proposal is then prepared, setting out the applicant’s background, proposed contribution to Malta, and intended plans following naturalisation. If the Agency considers the proposal satisfactory, preliminary due diligence is undertaken and the applicable administrative fees are paid.
The proposal is subsequently referred to the Evaluation Board, which may request additional information or invite the applicant for an interview before making a recommendation to the Minister. Where the recommendation is favourable, a Letter of Approval in Principle is issued.
The applicant may then submit a formal application for citizenship on the basis of merit, supported by evidence of at least eight months of lawful residence in Malta, ownership or lease of suitable residential property, fulfilment of the applicable contribution or investment requirements, proficiency in English or Maltese, and demonstrated ties to Malta.
The Agency undertakes a further and more comprehensive round of due diligence and collects the applicable administrative fees before referring the complete application to the Evaluation Board. Following a favourable recommendation, the Minister may approve the application and issue a Letter of Approval.
The applicant must subsequently take the Oath of Allegiance within six months of the Letter of Approval, subject to any permitted extension, having first signed a written undertaking to comply with the continuing obligations applicable to Maltese citizens.

Benefits of Maltese Citizenship

Maltese citizenship offers the full rights and advantages associated with European Union citizenship, providing successful applicants with a long-term foundation for personal, professional and family mobility. As an EU citizen, a Maltese national has the right, subject to applicable EU rules, to live, work, establish a business and study in Malta and throughout the European Union, without the immigration restrictions applicable to third-country nationals. Maltese citizenship also provides access to Malta’s passport and the international mobility associated with it, making it a valuable travel document for individuals and families with global interests. Beyond mobility, EU citizenship provides important rights of participation, including voting and standing for election to the European Parliament and municipal elections under the applicable rules, as well as the right to petition EU institutions and seek assistance from the diplomatic or consular authorities of another EU Member State where Malta is not represented. For families, Maltese citizenship can also provide a lasting status within the EU, offering future generations the opportunity to benefit from the rights attached to EU citizenship in accordance with applicable nationality and EU law.

Due Diligence and Eligibility Process

Citizenship by Merit is subject to comprehensive due diligence.

The authorities verify information through independent due diligence providers, request additional documentation, examine the applicant’s professional and financial background, and assess any risks associated with the application. Due diligence is therefore not a procedural formality. It is an integral part of the decision-making process and runs alongside the assessment of merit.

The Evaluation Board & Ministerial Discretion

The regulations provide for an Evaluation Board to assess proposals submitted under the Citizenship by Merit framework. The Board’s role is to evaluate whether the applicant’s achievements and proposed contribution satisfy the exceptional threshold established by the legislation.

The Board’s assessment forms part of the overall decision-making process before the matter proceeds to the Minister responsible for citizenship. This institutional structure is intended to ensure that merit is assessed through a dedicated evaluation process rather than solely through administrative review.

The Minister then finally retains the ultimate discretion to determine whether naturalisation is justified in the particular circumstances of the case. The legislation does not create a right to citizenship merely because an applicant meets certain characteristics, nor does it establish a guaranteed outcome.

What Makes a Strong Citizenship by Merit Case?

While there is no scoring system, strong cases are likely to demonstrate several characteristics.

These may include:

international recognition or distinction;
leadership within a recognised field;
measurable economic, scientific, cultural or humanitarian impact;
a credible and substantial connection with Malta;

Is There a Minimum Investment?

The Citizenship by Merit legislation does not prescribe a fixed investment amount however the contribution must be exceptional and applicants must also hold a rented or purchased property in Malta for at least five years.

Dependants and Family Members

The regulations contemplate the inclusion of eligible dependants within the Citizenship by Merit process. Under Malta’s Citizenship by Merit framework, an applicant may include a spouse and children up to the age of 28 as long as the children are not married and still financially dependent on the applicant.

How ACC Immigration Can Assist?

Malta’s Citizenship by Merit framework provides a selective and legally structured route to naturalisation for individuals whose achievements, contributions, expertise or profile may be considered to constitute exceptional merit or to be of significant interest to the Republic of Malta.

ACC Immigration can assist applicants throughout the process, including with:

Eligibility assessment: evaluating the applicant’s background, achievements, expertise, proposed contribution and overall profile against the legal and policy framework applicable to Citizenship by Merit.
Residence application: preparing the applicant’s initial application for residence in Malta, including the requirements applicable to the applicant and accompanying family members.
Proposal development and drafting: preparing a comprehensive proposal letter presenting the applicant’s profile, proposed contribution to Malta, the rationale for naturalisation and intended post-naturalisation ties and activities.
Project identification and due diligence: assisting in identifying potential projects, investments, philanthropic initiatives or other forms of contribution that may be capable of supporting a Citizenship by Merit application, and conducting legal and regulatory due diligence on proposed projects before they are incorporated into the application.
Citizenship application: preparing and submitting the formal application for citizenship on the basis of merit, together with the supporting documentation and evidence required to substantiate the applicant’s case.
Due diligence and authority engagement: guiding the applicant through the due diligence process and liaising with the relevant authorities throughout the assessment of the application.
End-to-end legal support: coordinating the various stages of the process through to approval and the taking of the Oath of Allegiance.

For applicants with internationally recognised achievements, a substantial record of contribution, or expertise and capabilities that may be of strategic value to Malta, Citizenship by Merit provides a statutory framework through which exceptional circumstances may be considered. ACC Immigration’s role is to help applicants identify and articulate the merits of their case, develop a credible and properly substantiated proposal, and navigate the legal and administrative process from initial eligibility assessment through to naturalisation.

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