MALTA | CITIZENSHIP | BY MERIT
Citizenship By Merit In Malta
Citizenship by Merit in Malta is a new discretionary pathway introduced in 2025, granting naturalisation to exceptional contributors whose projects, investments, or achievements deliver significant value to Malta or humanity at large. It replaces the previous investment route, focusing instead on innovation, impact, and national benefit.
MCBM | Citizenship By Merit In Malta
To acquire Maltese citizenship through the Granting of Citizenship by Naturalisation on the basis of Merit Regulations (MCBM), applicants must meet the following criteria.
Criteria
• Main applicant must be over 18 years of age, with a clean personal conduct, and no criminal record
• Applicants must hold a minimum of 8-months’ legal residence status in Malta
• Must not have a denied visa status with any country, which has a visa-free arrangement with Malta
• Health insurance is required for all applicants
Dependents
• Spouse / De-facto Partner;
• Unmarried children of the main applicant or spouse, up to age 28
Non-eligibility
Nationals of Afghanistan, Belarus, Democratic Republic of Congo, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Yemen, and Venezuela are not elgibile to apply.
This list is revised periodically by Community Malta Agency.
CITIZENSHIP BY MERIT IN MALTA | Evaluation Criteria
Malta’s Citizenship by Merit framework, introduced in 2025 through subsidiary legislation 188.06, replaces the former citizenship by investment model with a broader, more principled approach. It allows naturalisation to be granted on the basis of exceptional merit – whether demonstrated through a significant contribution, innovation, cultural or scientific achievement, or other contribution of national or even, international value. Unlike fixed schemes of the past, this is a discretionary pathway, requiring proposals to show tangible benefit to Malta and society at large.
Evaluation And Government Priorities
Applications are assessed holistically. The Government considers how each proposal advances Malta’s long-term interests – economic, social, technological, environmental, legal, or political. Proposals must be lawful, transparent, and nation-centered. While there are no fixed thresholds, it is reasonable to expect that the authorities will expect appropriate commitments with residence, contributions, holding property titles, philanthropy, and support of national institutions, amongst other interests. The guiding principle is merit and reciprocity.
Malta’s Citizenship by Merit framework, introduced in 2025 through subsidiary legislation 188.06, replaces the former citizenship by investment model with a broader, more principled approach. It allows naturalisation to be granted on the basis of exceptional merit – whether demonstrated through a significant contribution, innovation, cultural or scientific achievement, or other contribution of national or even, international value. Unlike fixed schemes of the past, this is a discretionary pathway, requiring proposals to show tangible benefit to Malta and society at large.
Evaluation And Government Priorities
Applications are assessed holistically. The Government considers how each proposal advances Malta’s long-term interests – economic, social, technological, environmental, legal, or political. Proposals must be lawful, transparent, and nation-centered. While there are no fixed thresholds, it is reasonable to expect that the authorities will expect appropriate commitments with residence, contributions, holding property titles, philanthropy, and support of national institutions, amongst other interests. The guiding principle is merit and reciprocity.
MALTA CITIZENSHIP BY MERIT | The Process
From enquiry to completion, the MCBM’s processing timeline may vary depending on the applicant’s contribution. The Government has yet to announce the formal procedure, however, a speculative process may be structured as follows:
I - Residence
Approximately 2-3 Months
• Maltese Government approves the submitted proposal
• Statutory forms and supporting documentation are prepared for the residence application
• Applicants visit Malta for registration of biometric data and submission of residence application
• Residence card is issued
II - Eligibility
Approximately 6-8 Months
• Statutory forms and supporting documentation are prepared together with a medical interview
• Documentation to support the applicant’s claims of meritorious contributions is collated
• Application is submitted and Community Malta Agency conducts due diligence
• Agency confirms eligibility
III - Investment
Approximately 6-8 Months
• Citizenship application is prepared and submitted, in-accordance with any milestones determined by the Maltese Government
• Agency approves citizenship in principle, and requests that documentation supporting the the applicant’s meritorious contributions, to be submitted
• Evidence is submitted to the Agency, and a Ministerial decision is awaited.
IV - Citizenship
Approximately 1-2 Months
• Agency confirms the applicant’s meritorious contributions and invites applicants to Malta, for the Oath of Allegiance
• During the Oath of Allegiance, the Agency issues the Citizenship Certificate
• Applicants visit Passport Office for biometrics, and passport is issued shortly after
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
To become a Maltese citizen under the MCBM Regulations, an applicant must first submit a structured proposal to the Agency, demonstrating exceptional merit through a significant contribution, innovation, or contribution of value to Malta. If the proposal is accepted, the applicant may apply for a residence permit and must hold valid residence in Malta for a minimum of 8 months. During this period, due diligence checks are carried out to ensure the applicant is of good conduct and has no criminal record. Following successful evaluation, the applicant may be invited to take the Oath of Allegiance in Malta, after which citizenship may be granted at the discretion of the Minister.
To apply for Maltese citizenship under the MCBM Regulations, applicants are required to hold a valid residence permit in Malta for a minimum period of 8 months before naturalisation may be considered. While continuous living in Malta is not mandatory, the applicant must be lawfully resident and may be required to attend in person for procedural steps, such as biometric registration and the Oath of Allegiance. The granting of citizenship remains discretionary, subject to the approval of the Agency and the Minister.
Since 2000, Malta permits individuals to hold multiple nationalities, allowing you to retain other citizenships alongside Maltese citizenship. However, it is essential to verify whether the laws of your current citizenship permit dual or multiple nationalities, as some countries may restrict or revoke citizenship in such cases.
Maltese citizenship offers EU rights, including freedom to live, work, and study across EU member states, visa-free travel to over 180 countries, access to Malta’s diplomatic missions worldwide, excellent healthcare and education, and a secure Mediterranean lifestyle.
It is also worth noting, that children born to Maltese citizens are automatically deemed Maltese citizens.
The process for obtaining Maltese citizenship through the MCBM, is yet to be determined by the respective authorities. Any indicative process timeline on this – or any other website – is currently purely speculative.
The ineligible countries for the ESDI programme include Afghanistan, North Korea, Iran, Sudan, South Sudan, Syria, Somalia, Yemen, Venezuela, and the Democratic People’s Republic of Congo. Nationals from the Russian Federation and Belarus are also excluded. The Community Malta Agency may update this list as needed.
Yes, relatives of the main applicant can apply for the ESDI as dependants. The main applicant’s spouse and children, provided they are unmarried, under 29, and principally dependent on the main applicant, can be included.
The main applicant must submit an affidavit declaring that the adult dependant is primarily dependent on them. Supporting documents verifying this statement, such as proof of financial support or shared living arrangements, should also be included with the application.
