Malta Citizenship by Merit — Exceptional Services

Investment pathway

Discretionary naturalisation for exceptional services or contributions, assessed by an independent Evaluation Board on a national-interest basis.

Minimum investment

None. There is no fixed contribution, and citizenship cannot be acquired through payment.

Checked against official programme sources

1. 1The applicant, who must hold lawful residence in Malta, sends a proposal letter through Community Malta Agency to the Evaluation Board describing their achievements and the exceptional contribution planned.
2. 2The Agency runs initial due diligence and collects fees, and the proposal must be endorsed by a designated competent body before it goes to the Evaluation Board.
3. 3The Evaluation Board may ask for more information or interview the applicant, then recommends to the Minister, who may issue a letter of approval in principle.
4. 4After at least eight continuous months of lawful residence, the applicant files the formal application with proof of residence, housing, the contribution, the endorsement and English or Maltese proficiency.
5. 5The Agency carries out a second round of due diligence, the Board reviews the file again, and if the Minister agrees a letter of approval is issued.
6. 6The applicant takes the oath of allegiance within six months of approval (extendable) and signs an undertaking; the Agency then monitors compliance, and serious breaches can lead to loss of citizenship.

Steps and timings can change; your advisor confirms the current process before you apply.

Qualifying investment amounts and government fees are always shown separately. We do not publish single "total price" figures, as the total depends on family composition and circumstances.

To be confirmed

Government fees · Due diligence fees · Estimated additional costs · Investment holding period

Checked against official programme sources

Renewal requirements

Not applicable — citizenship.

Potential route to citizenship

Merit-based discretionary naturalisation only; Malta's investor citizenship route has ended.

To be confirmed

Residence requirements

Checked against official programme sources

Applicants and included dependants undergo background and source-of-funds checks by the relevant authority. Documentation requirements are confirmed during preparation — no documents are needed for an initial consultation.

1. 24 Jul 2025

   Malta repeals investor citizenship

   Malta amended its Citizenship Act to remove the investment route. Only discretionary naturalisation for exceptional contributions remains.

2. 29 Apr 2025

   EU Court of Justice rules against Malta's investor citizenship

   In Case C-181/23 the Court held that Malta's investor citizenship was incompatible with EU law.

All programme changes

• Published entry thresholds are not comprehensive costs; taxes, professional fees and dependent charges may apply.
• Immigration law, visa access and naturalisation rules can change without notice.
• Individual eligibility depends on nationality, financial background, due diligence and program-specific criteria.

Operational status

Exceptional discretionary naturalisation

Official government authority

Minister for Home Affairs, on the recommendation of an independent Evaluation Board, Malta

Legal basis

Maltese Citizenship Act (Chapter 188), Article 10(9), as amended by Act No. XXI of 2025 (published 24 July 2025), following the CJEU judgment in Case C-181/23 (29 April 2025).

To be confirmed

Nationality restrictions