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Buy EU Passport: Malta's Citizenship by Investment Program
- Posted
- Editor
- Tessa Quinn
- 4 min read
Contents
Malta operates the only formal EU citizenship-by-investment programme under its 2020 Granting of Citizenship for Exceptional Services Regulations. You can apply after 12 months of residence with a €750,000 contribution, or after 36 months with €600,000[1]. Additional mandatory costs include property purchase from €700,000 or a five-year lease at €16,000 annually, a €150,000 investment in stocks, bonds, or debentures, and a €10,000 NGO donation[1][2]. Dependents may be included[2]. The first step is paying a non-refundable €10,000 deposit with your residence application[1]. The European Commission has brought infringement proceedings against Malta over this scheme, so verify current status on official Maltese government websites before proceeding[1].
What you receive
- Maltese citizenship certificate
- Successful applicants receive a certificate of Maltese citizenship under the 2020 Granting of Citizenship for Exceptional Services Regulations. This certificate is issued after the naturalisation application is approved and the balance of the contribution is paid.
- Maltese passport
- The citizenship certificate entitles the holder to apply for a Maltese passport. Malta is an EU member state, so the passport grants the holder EU citizenship rights.
- Inclusion of dependents
- The program extends to dependents of the main applicant, not just the primary investor. The U.S. State Department's 2024 report confirms this scope.
- Residency status before citizenship
- Applicants must complete a residency period of either 12 months or 36 months before naturalisation. This residency requirement was introduced by the 2020 revamped program.
- Qualifying property or lease
- Applicants must acquire residential property in Malta worth at least €700,000, or hold a residential lease for at least five years with a minimum annual rent of €16,000. The property or lease must be retained for the required period.
- Financial investment portfolio
- Applicants must make a minimum €150,000 investment in stocks, bonds, or debentures. This is a mandatory component in addition to the property and contribution requirements.
Malta Citizenship by Investment: Route Comparison
| Route | Contribution Amount | Residency Period | Property Requirement | Additional Mandatory Costs | Key Restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12-Month Accelerated Route | €750,000 (balance due after approval; €10,000 non-refundable deposit upfront) [1] | Minimum 12 months residence before naturalisation application [1][2] | Purchase property ≥€700,000 OR lease ≥€16,000/year for 5 years [1][2] | €150,000 investment in stocks/bonds/debentures [2]; €10,000 donation to registered NGO [1]; €10,000 non-refundable application deposit [1] | Program under EU Commission infringement proceedings (Case C-181/23) [1]; verify current operational status before proceeding |
| 36-Month Standard Route | €600,000 (balance due after approval; €10,000 non-refundable deposit upfront) [1] | 36 months residence before naturalisation application [1][2] | Purchase property ≥€700,000 OR lease ≥€16,000/year for 5 years [1][2] | €150,000 investment in stocks/bonds/debentures [2]; €10,000 donation to registered NGO [1]; €10,000 non-refundable application deposit [1] | Program under EU Commission infringement proceedings (Case C-181/23) [1]; verify current operational status before proceeding |
| Dependent Inclusion | Included in main applicant's contribution [2] | Same as main applicant route [2] | Covered under main applicant's property requirement [2] | Verify additional fees for dependents with official sources | Eligibility criteria for dependents: verify with Maltese authorities |
How to Obtain an EU Passport Through Malta's Citizenship by Investment
Choose your residency route and contribution level
Malta offers two pathways under the 2020 Granting of Citizenship for Exceptional Services Regulations. The 36-month residency route requires a €600,000 contribution, while the 12-month route requires an exceptional €750,000 contribution[1][2]. Your choice determines both the waiting period and the final payment amount.
Pay the non-refundable deposit and submit your residence application
A €10,000 non-refundable deposit must be paid together with the submission of your residence application or eligibility form[1]. This deposit is not returned even if your application is ultimately unsuccessful[1]. The balance of your contribution falls due only after the naturalisation application is approved[1].
Acquire qualifying residential property in Malta
You must either purchase residential immovable property with a minimum value of €700,000, or take a residential lease for a minimum of 5 years[1]. The leased-property route requires a minimum annual lease of €16,000, and the property must be retained for at least five years[2]. This requirement applies regardless of which contribution route you choose.
Make the €150,000 financial investment
In addition to the property and contribution requirements, you must make a €150,000 minimum investment in stocks, bonds, or debentures[2]. This investment is separate from the property purchase or lease and the main contribution. Dependents of the main applicant can also be included in the program[2].
Submit your naturalisation application and pay the balance
After completing the residency period, submit your naturalisation application. Upon approval, pay the balance of your contribution: €740,000 for the 12-month route or €590,000 for the 36-month route[1]. You must also make a €10,000 donation to a registered philanthropic, cultural, sport, scientific, animal welfare or artistic NGO or society[1].
Verify current program status before proceeding
The European Commission has brought infringement proceedings against Malta (Case C-181/23) over this citizenship-by-investment scheme, arguing that the sale of EU citizenship undermines the integrity of Union citizenship[1]. The program is currently operational but under legal challenge. Check official Maltese government websites for the latest status before committing funds.
Risks, Limitations and Guarantees
The €10,000 application deposit is non-refundable even if your naturalisation application is ultimately unsuccessful[1]. You cannot recover this sum regardless of rejection reasons or withdrawal timing. This represents immediate financial exposure before any due diligence outcome is known.
The European Commission has brought infringement proceedings against Malta (Case C-181/23) over this citizenship-by-investment scheme, arguing that the sale of EU citizenship undermines the integrity of Union citizenship[1]. The program remains operational but faces legal challenge at EU level. If the European Court of Justice rules against Malta, the program may be suspended or terminated, potentially affecting applications in progress. No official guidance exists on how pending applications would be treated in such a scenario.
Property and investment commitments lock capital for extended periods. The leased-property route requires a minimum five-year lease at €16,000 annually, totalling €80,000 before citizenship is granted[1][2]. The €150,000 investment in stocks, bonds or debentures must be maintained throughout the residency period[2]. Early withdrawal or sale may disqualify your application without refund of the deposit or contribution balance.
The residency requirement is mandatory: 12 months for the €750,000 route or 36 months for the €600,000 route[1][2]. Physical presence obligations during this period are not detailed in available sources. Verify specific residency day-count requirements and permitted absences with Maltese authorities before committing, as failure to meet these conditions will invalidate your application after deposit payment.
No guarantee of approval exists. Due diligence criteria, rejection rates and processing timeframes are not published in available sources. Verify current operational status and application procedures on official Maltese government websites before proceeding.
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