Apply for Maltese Citizenship With Our Expert Guidance

How to Apply for Maltese Citizenship (2025 Guide)

Malta offers several structured and transparent pathways to citizenship, each catering to different personal and financial circumstances. Whether you’re looking to apply through investment, family ties, marriage, or naturalisation, this guide will walk you through each route and provide answers to your most common questions.

7 Ways to Apply for Maltese Citizenship

1. Citizenship by Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment (ESDI Programme)

Malta offers a citizenship route for high-net-worth individuals through its Citizenship by Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment program.

Requirements:

• Minimum investment of €600,000 (36-month residency) or €750,000 (12-month residency)
• Real estate purchase of at least €700,000 or lease of €16,000/year. (Qualifying property must be kept for five years.)
• Donation of €10,000 to an approved Maltese NGO
• Government Admin Fee:
  €15,000 due-diligence fee (main applicant)
  €10,000 initial deposit (credited toward investment)
  €1,000 admin fee per applicant at eligibility stage
  €500 admin fee per applicant at citizenship stage
• Legal residence in Malta with a valid residence card
• Due diligence checks (Tier 1 to Tier 4) performed by the Community Malta Agency
• Good health and valid international health insurance

Timeline:

• Receive a residence card
• Maintain legal residence in Malta for 12 or 36 months depending on the contribution level you choose
• Apply for eligibility (Community Malta Agency review ≈ 9–10 months)
• Undergo four-tier due-diligence and supply any additional documentation
• Fulfil all financial, property, and donation obligations after approval in principle
• Take the Oath of Allegiance in Malta
• Receive your Certificate of Naturalisation and become eligible to apply for a Maltese passport

🕒 Processing time: 12 to 36 months (depending on chosen contribution)

✅ Family members (spouse, children, parents, grandparents) can be included

💡 Maltese law permits dual citizenship, depending on your country of origin.

---

2. Citizenship by Birth or Descent

You are automatically a Maltese citizen if:

• You were born in Malta before 1 August 1989
• You were born after that date and at least one parent is Maltese
• You are a grandchild of a Maltese citizen
• You were born to a Maltese father before 2000 (even if born abroad)

---

3. Citizenship by Marriage

Foreign nationals married to Maltese citizens can apply for citizenship after 5 years of marriage, provided the marriage is genuine.

• You can still apply even after divorce or spouse’s death, if the marriage lasted at least 5 years
  
• Sham marriages are criminal offenses and can lead to fines or imprisonment

---

4. Citizenship by Naturalisation (Long-Term Residency Route)

This is the traditional route to citizenship and requires the longest stay.

Requirements:

• 7+ years of legal residency in Malta
• 12 months of continuous residence before applying
• A clean criminal record
• Proof of legal income and health insurance
• Pass language, law, and history exams
• Two Maltese guarantors (not family): one must be a professional like a lawyer, doctor, or judge

This route is best for those living and working in Malta long-term without investment means or family ties.

---

5. Citizenship by Family Reunification

If you’re closely related to a Maltese citizen or were previously a citizen yourself, you may qualify for citizenship.

Eligible cases include:

• Children of Maltese citizens (born in or outside Malta)
• Former citizens
• Adopted children of Maltese parents
• Guardians of Maltese minors
• Siblings or grandchildren of Maltese citizens (in special cases)

---

6. Citizenship for Exceptional Merit

The President of Malta may grant citizenship for:

• Outstanding cultural, scientific, sporting, or business contributions

This route is extremely rare and has no formal application process.

---

7. Citizenship for Refugees and Asylum Seekers

Refugees granted asylum in Malta may eventually become eligible for citizenship.

• No investment or language tests required
• Must prove danger or discrimination in the home country
• Must reside in Malta for a number of years