Malta — Residency: Citizenship

Why this matters

Maltese citizenship grants visa-free travel to the EU and access to the Schengen Area, making it an attractive option for those seeking EU residency.

Key facts

• An adult foreigner or stateless person must have resided in Malta for the 12 months before applying and for at least four years in aggregate during the six years before that period.
• Applicants must also show good character, adequate knowledge of Maltese or English, and suitability to become a citizen.
• Meeting the conditions does not guarantee citizenship: the Minister decides.
• The Exceptional Direct Investment route normally requires 36 months of residence, reducible to 12 months with a higher investment.
• The merit route under Subsidiary Legislation 188.06 requires at least eight months of residence plus adequate residential property, alongside an approved exceptional-contribution case.

Steps

1. Step 1: Application Submission — Applicants submit their application and supporting documents to the Citizenship Agency, which reviews the application and conducts a background check.
2. Step 2: Background Check and Due Diligence — The Citizenship Agency conducts a thorough background check and due diligence on the applicant, including a review of their financial situation and business dealings.
3. Step 3: Granting of Citizenship — If the application is successful, the applicant is granted Maltese citizenship, which is recorded in the relevant registers and issued with a certificate of naturalisation.

Common mistakes

• Assuming a residence permit alone leads to citizenship; the residence test, character and language criteria and ministerial discretion all apply.