Europe • Malta
Malta Citizenship by Merit
Discretionary, case-by-case
Investment amount
8+ months
Processing time
Not applicable
Investment return
Malta citizenship by merit is a naturalisation route for entrepreneurs, innovators, and philanthropists whose contributions align with Malta’s national interests.
Requests are assessed strictly on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the Community Malta Agency, with residency, integration, and contribution requirements.
Citizenship for the whole family
The spouse or partner, children, and parents can get Malta citizenship by merit with the main applicant.
Criteria for assessment for Malta citizenship by merit
To submit a request for assessment for Malta citizenship by merit, one must show qualifications in eligible sectors, residency, and integration obligations.
Merit
To be assessed for citizenship, the applicant shows:
- their contribution goes beyond standard professional activity;
- clear value to Malta’s public interest or international positioning;
- concrete outcomes or well-defined plans with measurable KPIs.
Areas and industries
Exceptional services may include significant contributions in:
- entrepreneurship projects and job creation;
- innovation, digital transformation, and science;
- education and healthcare;
- culture and sports;
- philanthropy, social impact, and national security;
- strategic projects supporting Malta Vision 2050.
Integration
Applicants are required to establish a genuine connection to the country:
- hold legal residence in Malta for at least 8-12 months;
- rent or own a home locally;
- demonstrate basic knowledge of English or Maltese.
Citizenship applicants must also show meaningful ties to Malta and submit a clear proposal describing the exceptional contribution made or planned.
Malta citizenship by merit compared to other naturalisation options
Naturalisation frameworks in Europe vary by legal basis, residence period, language requirements, and due diligence standards.
| Criteria | Malta | Portugal | Spain | Italy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legal basis | Exceptional merit | Long-term residence | Long-term residence | Long-term residence |
| Residency required | Yes, at least 8 months | Yes, continuous for at least 5 years | Yes, continuous for at least 10 years | Yes, continuous for at least 10 years |
| Language requirement | Basic English or Maltese | Portuguese A2 | Spanish DELE A2 | Italian B1 |
| Contribution requirement | Yes, exceptional merit | No | No | No |
| Due Diligence level | Very high and multi-tier | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Dual citizenship | Yes | Yes | Limited | Yes |
Muhammad Shoaib
Head of the Immigration Department
Schedule a meeting at one of the offices or online. A lawyer will analyze the situation, calculate the cost and help you find a solution based on your goals.