Malta — a dream for those who want to become EU citizens. This small country is among the most attractive in Europe for anyone interested in a second citizenship. A compact state in the middle of the Mediterranean, Malta combines a stable economy, EU membership, and very favorable programmes for foreigners. One of the most popular paths is through investments, widely known as Maltese citizenship by investment.
We have carefully gathered the key information on how the Malta citizenship by investment programme works: from the legal basis to the requirements and the benefits of the passport. Below you’ll find useful details that will help you understand where to start and what opportunities Maltese citizenship opens.
Malta’s citizenship through investment is an officially approved state mechanism that allows foreigners to become citizens on the basis of a financial contribution. It is based on the Maltese Citizenship Act and additional government regulations that set the application procedure and participation conditions. In international practice it is often mentioned as the Malta economic citizenship program, or simply citizenship of Malta by investment.
The main idea is simple: a foreign investor contributes to the country’s development, and Malta, in turn, grants citizenship to the investor and their family. Unlike ordinary naturalisation, which may take more than 10 years, this route is much faster and is clearly defined in law. Many lawyers also use the broader phrase citizenship by investment in Malta when describing the process.
But first, understand that this is not “buying a passport,” but an official framework that combines investment with thorough vetting of the applicant. That’s why you often hear that the procedure is “transparent and controlled by the state.”
The best-known option is Maltese Exceptional Investor Naturalisation (MEIN). This programme allows foreigners to obtain citizenship if they meet several key requirements: make a financial contribution to the National Development and Social Fund, rent or buy real estate in Malta, and make a charitable donation. In official terminology this is described as Malta citizenship by direct investment, but in practice it is understood as a form of Malta citizenship through investment.
As usual, there are two timing routes — a simpler and a faster one:
The logic is straightforward: the higher the contribution, the faster the passport. This variety of timelines makes MEIN popular with investors who want to plan their time clearly.
Still unsure about the difference between citizenship and residency? In short: a residence programme (for example, MPRP) gives the right to live in Malta and use healthcare and education, but it does not unlock the full benefits of the EU. You also have to renew the document, and it always remains “temporary.”
Citizenship is a different level: a Maltese passport means you become an EU citizen — the dream comes true. It is not only the right to live in Malta, but also the freedom to move, work, and study in any EU country without limits. Think of it this way: residency is a “long-stay ticket,” while citizenship is a “key to the entire EU.” This is why the MEIN programme attracts so much global attention. In fact, some applicants even mistakenly describe it as Malta citizenship by property investment, but property is only one element of the obligations.
The programme, based on the Maltese Citizenship Act (Cap. 188) and its latest amendments, requires that a candidate meets these basic conditions:
be a foreigner willing to make a significant financial contribution — transparent and lawful in origin;
have a clean reputation (no criminal record, no history of offences or security risks);
demonstrate a genuine link to Malta: this may involve residence for a set period, or active (investment-related) participation in state projects or community life, depending on the terms;
meet health and financial requirements so as not to become a burden on the healthcare or social system.
In July 2025, amendments to the Maltese Citizenship Act (Cap. 188) via the Amendment Act, 2025 strengthened requirements related to added value, innovation, job creation, and merit. These updates are now often referred to as Malta citizenship by investment 2025 because they mark a new stage of the framework.
An applicant may include family members. Under the law this generally covers:
This matters because for many people the investment route is not only about a passport for themselves, but legal stability for the whole family. On the portal we often stress: when choosing a programme, make sure every family member meets the requirements and can provide the necessary documents.
The programme does not draw a rigid line between EU and non-EU nationals regarding eligibility to participate, but details may differ:
Recent EU case law and a CJEU decision in 2025 (Case C-181/23, order of 29 April) changes the context: Malta’s government stresses that any citizenship schemes must align with EU principles of a “genuine link,” added value, and transparency.
When we talk about the financial “skeleton” of the programme, it helps to separate “how it was” from “what changed in 2025.” Under the rules known as MEIN/ESDI (naturalisation by exceptional services through direct investment), the main non-refundable contribution was €600,000 after 36 months of residence or €750,000 after 12 months. In Community Malta Agency (CMA) forms, you could see €590,000 or €740,000 because the first €10,000 was paid as an early deposit; together that made the “classic” €600k/€750k. This threshold was officially described as the Malta citizenship by investment amount.
Now, the present. On 24 July 2025, Malta amended the Citizenship Act: the state clearly reinforced the “merit component” and signaled a shift of emphasis from direct investment toward naturalisation for exceptional merit. This is confirmed on the Community Malta Agency website and in an official release: the focus is on added value, jobs, and a real link to the country, referring to the CJEU decision C-181/23. In other words, the “classic” MEIN sums apply to those already in process, while new applications are guided by an updated, more merit-centric framework.
Housing is not optional. Under MEIN, an applicant had to purchase property worth at least €700,000 or rent for at least €16,000 per year, and keep that housing for five years after naturalisation. Subletting? No — that could lead to problems up to and including a citizenship review. These rules are recorded in the official CMA guide and forms and have long set a “seriousness bar” for applicants.
After the summer 2025 changes, the property element is still treated as a real link with the country: Malta expects not symbolic participation but actual presence — housing, day-to-day life, accounts, tax history. We recommend viewing this requirement not as a checkbox, but as proof that the applicant is truly integrating. The legal basis is regulations issued under L.N. 437/2020 and later amendments; operationally, everything is administered by Community Malta Agency.
The third side of the triangle is a mandatory charitable donation of at least €10,000 to a registered Maltese NGO (culture, sport, science, animal welfare, etc.). This is clearly stated on the CMA service portal and repeated in the reference materials. Previously, the “entry ticket” had three parts: the main contribution (see above), housing (purchase/rent), and the donation. For dependants there was an extra €50,000 per person; this rule also appears in the agency’s official guide. For this reason, the whole block is sometimes referred to as Malta donation citizenship or Malta citizenship by donation.
In short: if you have already applied or are moving under the “old” MEIN track, the sums and thresholds above still apply (as long as your case falls under transitional provisions). If you are starting “from scratch” after July 2025, prepare not only funds but also proof of merit/added value in line with the new act and secondary legislation. CMA notices are your first source to check.
When we speak about MEIN (Maltese Exceptional Investor Naturalisation), remember: it is not instant. It includes several key stages, each important for a successful result. This entire chain of steps is what is officially known as Malta citizenship by investment.
First, the applicant and all included family members apply for a residence permit through the Community Malta Agency. This means gathering documents and submitting visa, financial, and personal evidence: passport, bank statements, ID, address history, possibly a health certificate and insurance. A power of attorney is signed if working through an agent. According to CSB Group, this stage may take from a few weeks to 1–2 months, depending on document readiness and checks.
Next comes one of two routes: 12 months or 36 months of residence. If the applicant chooses the 36-month route, the contribution is €600,000; if the accelerated 12-month route, €750,000. During this period, you must confirm the property purchase or lease, the donation to an NGO/eligible charity, and maintain a real presence in Malta — not just nominal residence.
When the residence period is complete and all investment obligations are met, the applicant files the eligibility application — a document pack to CMA proving that the contribution was made, the property bought or rented, and the donation completed. Due diligence continues if not already finished, and the applicant requests Approval in Principle. After receiving this letter, the next steps are the oath ceremony and issuance of the naturalisation certificate and passport.
This block is crucial. It is not enough to state an amount — you must prove the lawful source of funds. The applicant must provide: bank statements for several months (sometimes the last six), business contracts or sale agreements for assets that generated the funds, a police clearance certificate, international checks (Interpol, Europol), and medical insurance.
You also need identity documents, birth/marriage certificates, property or lease documents, translations, and apostilles/legalisation where required. Proof that the property meets the rules (value, holding period, restrictions such as the subletting ban) is mandatory.
The total timeline can vary. According to Global Citizens Solutions, a typical period is around 8 months from filing the eligibility application to a decision, but the full process (including residence and meeting conditions) may take 12–18 months, depending on case complexity and how quickly the applicant assembles all documents.
Due diligence in MEIN is not a formality. It is a four-layer check: starting with basic identity and finances, then deeper source-of-funds analysis, background screening, international databases, and interviews or clarifications if doubts arise. Malta treats this very seriously to avoid fraud or issues with foreign assets.
The procedure includes several steps. First, the applicant obtains residence status in Malta; then they fulfill the investment conditions (contribution, housing, donation) and file an application with Community Malta Agency (CMA). After checks and government approval, a naturalisation certificate is issued. Under the classic MEIN version, the timelines were: 12 months with a €750k contribution or 36 months with €600k. After July 2025, the emphasis shifted — the state added a merit criterion, meaning the applicant must show added value (jobs, innovation).
The document list is fairly standard: passport, family certificates, police clearance, medical certificate, proof of investments, and proof of the source of funds. All must be translated into English and notarised. CMA pays special attention to due diligence: the origin of funds is checked very carefully to protect the state from risk.
Under the old rules, applications were processed from 12 to 36 months, depending on the contribution. The 2025 law update provides that speed will still depend on evidence and checks. The key factor now is the quality of the “merit” and the transparency of funds. On average, with a complete file, the process takes around one year.
A Maltese passport is one of the strongest in the world. It automatically grants EU citizenship, which means the right to live, work, and do business in any EU country. This is not just convenience — it is real integration into the European community. According to the Henley Passport Index 2025, Malta consistently ranks in the global top 10.
Citizenship gives the investor and family full access to education and healthcare across EU countries. Children can enter universities on “home student” terms, without double fees. Working in France or Germany, opening a company in Italy or the Netherlands — all this becomes possible without separate visas.
A Maltese passport allows visa-free or visa-on-arrival travel to 180+ countries. This includes all of Europe, Canada, Japan, Australia, and most of Latin America. For business and travel, a Maltese passport offers maximum freedom.
The main cost is the contribution to the state fund administered by Community Malta Agency. Under MEIN, an investor pays €600,000 after 36 months of residence, or €750,000 after 12 months. For each additional dependant, add €50,000. These are fixed amounts, confirmed in CMA forms.
The second mandatory element is real estate. The investor must either buy a property worth at least €700,000, or rent one for at least €16,000 per year. This condition must be maintained for five years after citizenship is granted. Important: subletting is not allowed, and selling earlier than required can trigger a review.
Beyond the major amounts, there are ancillary costs: administrative fees, notary services, translations, and issuance of an ID card and passport. On average these total several thousand euros, depending on family composition and document count. Plan for them in your budget to avoid surprises.
Not everyone is ready to invest hundreds of thousands of euros in citizenship. For such cases, there is the Malta Permanent Residency Programme (MPRP). This is a path to a permanent residence status that lets you live in Malta and travel visa-free in the Schengen Area.
Under MPRP, the investor contributes to a state fund (€68,000–€98,000 depending on renting or buying housing) and donates €2,000 to a Maltese NGO. You must also either rent property (minimum €10,000 per year in the south, €12,000 in the north) or buy one worth at least €300,000. This status is not citizenship, but it offers stable residence in the EU.
Looking more broadly, Malta’s programme was one of the very few in Europe. Cyprus closed its investment route in 2020 after criticism from the European Commission. Bulgaria and Austria have exceptional “citizenship by merit” mechanisms, but they are rare and limited to a narrow group.
Malta remained the only EU country with a structured scheme and transparent thresholds, until July 2025 when the law changed, strengthening added value and merit criteria. In practice, this means the classic “passport by investment” is being replaced by a more flexible route: financial contributions plus proven real links to the country.
Malta remains a unique example in Europe: a small state with a high quality of life and a powerful passport that continues to offer a path to citizenship for foreigners. The investment programme has evolved: classic contributions remain, but in 2025 a new emphasis appeared — merit, a real connection, and added value for the economy.
From our perspective, the main appeal of the Maltese passport is not only visa-free travel, but full EU status. That’s why Malta stays among the key destinations for those seriously considering a “second home.” On the geteucitizenship.com website, we have collected the most useful information regarding obtaining citizenship in different countries, so you can confidently add it to your saved resources, as it will serve as your guide in this complex legal process.
Under the old MEIN rules — from €600,000 after 36 months or €750,000 after 12 months of residence, plus property of €700,000 (or rent of €16,000 per year) and a €10,000 donation. After the July 2025 changes these figures remain a reference, but the government now requires additional merit and a real link to the country.
The classic scheme offered two options: 36 months of residence with a €600,000 contribution or 12 months with €750,000. On average, the whole process from application to passport took one to three years, depending on the chosen route and checks. After the 2025 changes, similar timelines are expected, with even stricter due diligence.
No. Property is only one part of the package. The applicant must make the main contribution to the state fund and a charitable donation. Buying or renting property is required to prove a link to the country, but by itself does not grant citizenship.
Yes. Malta recognises dual citizenship. This means the new passport does not require you to renounce your previous one. However, check whether your home country allows dual status, as some states impose restrictions.