Obtaining Maltese Citizenship for the whole family by making a direct investment in the country.

Aiming to attract high standing and reputed applicants from all over the world, and keeping Malta at the forefront of the Investment Migration market, the Maltese government has released the new expedited route for Citizenship by Investment. The formal name is Maltese Citizenship by Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment, which is commonly referred to as the Maltese Exceptional Investor Naturalization (MEIN) procedures.

The Maltese Citizenship by Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment is regulated by the Maltese Citizenship Act (CAP. 188) and the Legal Notice 437 of 2020

How to get Malta Citizenship through the Maltese Exceptional Investor Naturalization (MEIN) procedures?

The new Malta Citizenship by Direct Investment Regulations allows individuals and family dependants to acquire Citizenship, and therefore a Maltese Passport, by making a direct investment in the country which needs to take the following forms:

  • A Property Investment: Either to purchase a property in Malta with a minimum value of €700,000 or to lease a property for a minimum annual rent of €16,000 and retain it for at least five years from the date of the certificate of citizenship;

  • Government Contribution: Of €600,000 for the Main Applicant if the application for Citizenship is submitted through the standard route after 36 months, or €750,000 if it the applicant chooses the expedited route after 12 months. The amount of €50,000 is added for each additional dependant.

  • Donation: A compulsory donation of €10,000 to a registered non-governmental organisation or society

The qualifying investment must be held for five years, and the applicant must show strong links to the island.

Processing Fees of the Malta Citizenship by Direct Investment Regulations

Aside from the above qualifying investment criteria, acquiring Malta Citizenship through the Maltese Exceptional Investor Naturalization (MEIN) procedures requires the payment of the following Due Diligence fees;

  • €15,000 for the Main Applicant
  • €10,000 for the dependants
  • €15,000 for Sponsors/Benefactors

There are other applicable fees like passport fees, bank charges and processing fees. We will be glad to provide you with a detailed capital outlay for your specific situation. Please contact us for further information

Eligibility

Aside from these financial criteria, to get Malta Citizenship by Direct Investment, applicants need to pass strong background checks. A strict eligibility criterion is followed, and applicants interested in acquiring Maltese Citizenship need to be law-abiding citizens.

Therefore, and according to the actual Maltese Exceptional Investor Naturalization (MEIN) procedures, prospect applicants will be eligible if they take the following undertakings:

  • To take the Oath of Allegiance to the Republic of Malta, and to promote the fundamental and democratic values of the Republic of Malta
  • To makes an exceptional direct investment in the economic and social development of the Republic of Malta
  • Undertakes to declare that the applicant and his dependants are fit and proper persons to hold Maltese citizenship

Also, applicants will need to comply with all Due Diligence requirements and provide supporting documentation, like police criminal records, proof of the source of funds and wealth of the principal applicant. Also, supporting documentation like passport copies and birth certificates must be legalised and counter-legalised.

Malta Citizenship by Direct Investment: The Benefits

Some of the main benefits of being granted with Maltese Citizenship are the following:

  • Freedom and Safety: Live and work in the E.U. member states and enjoy visa-free travel to more than 170 countries, including the USA through an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA).
  • Accessibility: For your personal and business life. The strategic location of the island, just a 2-3 hr flight from all major financial capitals of Europe, makes Malta the safe harbour for your family needs.
  • A Sound Investment: A strong economy with a booming Real Estate market and also a Fintech hub.

Having a second or even a third Citizenship is an intangible asset for the discerning investors interested in structuring their professional and personal life in a respected and law-abiding country. This has become the preferred asset diversification tool, which gives an edge against geopolitical risk.

Making a Direct Investment in Malta and therefore being granted with Maltese Citizenship through the Malta Citizenship by Direct Investment Regulations is the best way to acquire the most desired Citizenship with one of the stringent due diligence processes in place, a sound and stable investment in one of E.U. booming economies providing a safe harbour with multiple opportunities for the whole family.

How can we help you obtain Maltese Citizenship by Investment?

With a history and tradition in Malta, CSB Group aims to provide top-notch services to Private Clients worldwide. Having more than 30 years in the Service Industry, CSB Group was one of the first firms to be granted the status of Accredited Agent (AA) by the Malta Individual Investor Programme Agency, holding License Number 13, to assist clients interested in getting a Maltese Citizenship.

Malta: a safe haven for you and your family

Albeit small in size, Malta is not short of reasons why one would choose its program to become a European Citizen. With a strategic position in the heart of the Mediterranean for foreign investors and a distinctive island lifestyle, it is safe to state that Malta has the whole package.

The advantageous tax rates and investment programmes offered to foreign investors, coupled with rich culture and history and a pleasant Mediterranean climate, make Malta stand out.

Nowadays, the discerning investor that is interested in becoming a European Citizen and structuring a business and professional life in a stable and booming E.U. economy has the opportunity to obtain a Maltese Citizenship through the Malta Citizenship by Investment program.

Malta boasts a robust and booming economy, warm, welcoming people and a vast array of benefits for those looking for a peaceful yet vibrant lifestyle with European access – and most importantly, doing so through a sound and a smart investment.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.