The Maltese Exceptional Investor Naturalization policy, the new expedited citizenship by investment pathway to Malta, is open to 1500 applicants. Foreign investors can move to Malta with their families through this route. Up to 400 principal applicants can receive citizenship certificates every year.

These numbers do not include dependent family members – i.e., the applicant’s spouse/partner, child (under 18), economically dependent unmarried child under 29 years old, a disabled child, or a financially dependent parent/grandparent of the applicant/partner who is above 55 years old.

Recently, the government announced new regulations for this pathway. Under the old path, the citizenship certificates granted were only a few hundred – and candidates were subject to greater scrutiny. Citizenship can be secured within 36 months through the regular route or 12 months for those who wish to expedite the process.

New Eligibility Requirements

• Contribution: Those who choose the standard processing route (36 months) must contribute €600,000, and those who decide expedited processing (12 months) must pay €750,000. Dependents must contribute €50,000.
• Donation: The government has now made it mandatory for applicants to donate at least €10,000 to an NGO. Previously, a gift of €5,000 was typically required.
• Residential Property: The threshold for buying a property in Malta has been raised to €700,000, while the property rental threshold is the same (€16,000 p.a.). The property must be held for five years from the issuance of the citizenship certificate.
• Government Bonds: There is no longer any requirement to invest in government bonds.
• Due Diligence Fees: This has been increased slightly to €15,000 for the principal applicant and €10,000 for dependents.
• Age Requirement: Dependents up to 29 years of age can now be included in the application instead of 27 years previously. There is no age threshold for disabled dependents.
• Application for Residence: The principal applicant and all adult dependents must apply for residence. A non-refundable partial pre-payment of the contribution amount is required – which has been increased to €10,000 from the previous €5,000. The principal applicant must also pay an application fee of €5,000.

The applicant or dependents can be deemed ineligible due to their false statements, criminal records, human rights violations, a threat to public health/policy or national security of Malta, involvement in nefarious activities, past visa denial certain countries, or their name being listed in international sanctions.

Application Process

• Step1:  Applying for a residence
• Step 2: Submit an eligibility assessment
• Step 3: Payment of contribution and approval in principle
• Step 4: Apply for naturalization (citizenship) for exceptional services through direct investment
• Step 5: Oath-taking ceremony within six months of citizenship approval/passport issuance

To check your eligibility and plan your immigration journey to Malta or other prime destinations, seek the guidance of India’s most seasoned consultants at Business Immigration Visas.