The Republic of Malta is a historic southern European nation located in the Mediterranean Sea. For what Malta lacks in size, it more than makes up with culture, heritage and beauty. Nestled among its rugged coves and rolling hills are chic harbor towns, ancient temples and historic cathedrals. The island comes to life in the summertime, with a calendar crammed with carnivals and festivals hosted all around its scenic coastline.

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Malta is one of a handful of European countries offering a citizenship by investment program that is both highly respected and expedient. Known as the Malta Individual Investor Program (Malta IIP), the Program is the first European citizenship by investment program to be recognized by the European Commission. The Malta IIP was designed for ultra-high net-worth individuals wishing to obtain full rights of citizenship in an EU country.

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Benefits

 

As a citizen of Malta you can take advantage of a range of personal benefits which include:

• Life in stable, well-respected, and neutral country that belongs to the Commonwealth of Nations, and whose political system is based on the British parliamentary system

• Citizenship for life, with the right to live and work in the country

• A low tax regime, with no net worth, gift, and inheritance tax. Moreover, citizens of Malta who are not domiciled in Malta are taxable on a remittance basis only.

• A low tax regime, with no net worth, gift, and inheritance tax. Moreover, citizens of Malta who are not domiciled in Malta are taxable on a remittance basis only.

• The opportunity to maintain dual citizenship if so desired

• The option to establish oneself in any one of the 28 European Union member states, as well as Switzerland

• Visa-free travel to more than 166 countries and territories, including the United States, Canada, the entire European Union, and the Schengen Area

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Application Process

 

Applicants must be at least 18 years old, be in good health, and pass the ‘fit and proper test’ showing no criminal record. Malta conducts thorough due diligence to ensure that only stellar applicants are granted naturalisation. Spouses, children below the age of 18, unmarried children between the ages of 18 and 26, and dependent parents may also be included in the application.

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The process of applying for citizenship is rigorous and requires diligent preparation in order to gather all the information needed. Application timelines can vary and be difficult to predict, although they usually depend on how easily an applicant can access the required documentation, as well as the complexity of the application as a whole. We generally advise clients that it will take 1 year to obtain citizenship of Malta from the time an application is submitted to the Government.

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The process may be simplified into the following steps:

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Step 1: Application preparation and pre-approval by CS Global Partners.

Step 2: Citizenship file submission.

Step 3: Maltese Government processing of the application and due diligence checks.

Step 4: Approval in principle.

Step 5: Contribution to the National Development and Social Fund.

Step 6: Within 4 months of approval, investment in both real estate and financial instruments.

Step 7: Completion of residence requirement.

Step 8: Citizenship certificate issued; passport application and issuance.

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Investment Options

 

The Malta IIP requires applicants to make a contribution to the National Development and Social Fund, an investment in Government-approved financial instruments to be held for at least five years, and a property purchase or rental to be maintained for five years. Finally, applicants and their families must hold a residence status in Malta for a period of twelve months immediately preceding the day their certificate of naturalization is issued.

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1. The National Development and Social Fund

Applicants must make a minimum contribution of €650,000, plus a €25,000 contribution for any spouse and minor children, and a €50,000 contribution for any dependent children aged between 18 and 26 and any dependent parents above 55 years of age.

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2. Real Estate

Applicants must also commit to retaining a residence in Malta for a period of at least five years, either through the purchase of a property, for which the minimum value must exceed €350,000, or through the leasing of a property, for which the minimum annual rent must exceed €16,000.

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3. Government-Approved Financial Instruments

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Finally, applicants must make an investment of €150,000 in Government-approved financial instruments, such as bonds or stocks, which must be maintained for a minimum period of 5 years.

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Malta Residency Program Options