Malta Citizenship and Residence Programmes 

 Following the accession of Malta in the European Union on the 1st May 2004 and thus becoming a Member State of the European Union, Malta subsequently acquired the same regulation regarding citizenship and passports as per any other EU nation. Any person who holds the nationality from an EU country is automatically also considered an EU citizen. Each passport is valid for ten years and allows such citizens to exercise all rights that are transferred to all Maltese Nationals including the right of free movement in the European Economic Area which includes the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway, as well as Switzerland, without requiring visa, the right to enter, remain and reside in Malta, as well as taking employment in Malta.  Moreover, Malta is also a member of the Schengen Area, which assures the free movement of persons within its member countries.

There are several ways in which one can acquire citizenship in Malta, and Chapter 188 of the Maltese Citizenship Act of the Laws of Malta regulates these. These can be categorised under four headings: Citizenship by Birth, Citizenship By Naturalisation; Citizenship by Investment (under the Individual Investor Programme) and Citizenship by Registration. 

Our team at Valletta Legal are licensed Agents of the Citizenship by Investment programme (the Individual Investor Programme) and we enjoy substantial experience in dealing in matters regarding citizenship and residence. Kindly contact us should you require more assistance on the matter.

The Malta Individual Investor Programme (MIIP) is the first citizenship programme in the European Union to be recognised by the European Commission. Such a Programme is directed towards affluent, high-net-worth families and investors. Citizenship would be acquired in exchange of a certain amount of contribution to and investment in Malta. It has been proven to be an attractive programme to interested parties around the world with applicants coming from countries as diverse as China, Canada, Russia, South Africa, and even the United States to mention a few. During this process, the applicant is subjected to a rigorous screening system as well as a number of preliminary background checks, allowing only the most highly respected investors to acquire Maltese Citizenship. Applicants need to prove residence in Malta for at least twelve months before the day your certificate of naturalisation is issued. Applicants must also provide proof of title to a residential property in Malta. 

Additionally, applicants must commit to make investments in immovable and stock and to retain them for the period of five years. Applicants commit either to purchase a residential property valued at least at €350,000, or to lease the said property for at least €16,000 per annum. The investment in stock  is 150, 000 Eur.