180+

visa-free countries

A contribution

deemed of strategic national value and importance

20+

months processing time

The Malta Citizenship by Merit framework was introduced in July 2025 through Legal Notice 159 of 2025, which amended the Maltese Citizenship Act, Cap. 188, to establish the Granting of Citizenship by Naturalisation on the Basis of Merit Regulations.

Citizenship by Merit is granted under Article 11A(1) of Subsidiary Legislation 188.06. The regulations provide for naturalization in recognition of exceptional service or contribution to the national interest of the Republic of Malta, as well as continued engagement with Malta after naturalization.

This framework recognizes individuals who have already made, or intend to make, meaningful contributions or services of value to Malta. Each case is assessed individually, with emphasis on merit, credibility, due diligence, and alignment with Malta’s strategic national objectives.

Why Choose Malta

Situated in the heart of the Mediterranean, Malta offers a safe, English-speaking European base with a superb quality of life, strong healthcare, European education opportunities, and a favorable business environment. The country combines a relaxed island lifestyle with the advantages of EU membership, international connectivity, and a stable legal and regulatory environment.

Malta citizenship provides access to a powerful European passport, enabling visa-free or visa-on-arrival travel to 185 countries, including major global destinations such as the United Kingdom and the United States.

Malta is recognized as one of the world’s safest countries. Its low crime rates, political stability, and family-friendly environment make it an attractive jurisdiction for individuals and families seeking long-term security.

Malta permits dual and multiple citizenship, allowing successful applicants to retain other nationalities where permitted by the laws of their existing country or countries of citizenship.

As Maltese citizens, successful applicants have the right to live, work, study, and establish a business in Malta and across the European Union, EEA countries, and Switzerland. This can create meaningful long-term value for internationally mobile families seeking a secure European foothold.

Malta has been a member of the European Union since 2004 and part of the Schengen Area since 2007. It offers a stable political climate, a resilient economy, and a business-friendly environment supported by an attractive tax framework and strong international connectivity.

Who Can Benefit From Malta Citizenship

The main applicant must generally:

  • Be over 18 years old
  • Be of outstanding character
  • Have a clean criminal record
  • Be in good health
  • Hold suitable health coverage during the residence period
  • Demonstrate exceptional service, achievement, or contribution of strategic value to Malta
  • Establish and maintain legal residence during the application process
  • Possess adequate knowledge of Maltese or English
  • Not have been refused a visa by a country with which Malta has visa-free travel arrangements, unless a visa from that country was subsequently obtained

A spouse or civil partner may be included, provided they meet the relevant eligibility, character, health, and due diligence requirements including:

  • Be over 18 years old
  • Have a clean criminal record
  • Be of good character
  • Have a clean bill of health

Minor children may be included in the application, provided they meet the applicable eligibility and dependency requirements.

Dependent, unmarried adult children up to the age of 29 may be included, provided they are financially dependent on the main applicant and meet the relevant requirements.

Framework Requirements

To apply under the Malta Citizenship by Merit framework, applicants must demonstrate exceptional service, contribution, achievement, or commitment of value to Malta. There is no defined minimum investment threshold, and passive investments such as real estate or bonds are not sufficient on their own.

Exceptional Service or Commitment to Malta

Applicants may contribute through a range of commitments, provided there is a measurable and direct benefit to Malta. These may include:

  • Strategic initiatives aligned with Malta’s long-term national objectives, including Malta Vision 2050
  • Philanthropic support in sectors such as education, healthcare, sustainability, or research
  • Business ventures that create high-value employment and support innovation
  • Environmental or infrastructure projects in areas such as water, energy, or the circular economy
  • Other contributions or services that demonstrate exceptional value to Malta or humanity

Each application must be supported by a clear proposal explaining the applicant’s background, the nature of the contribution, the expected benefit to Malta, and the applicant’s intended engagement with the country after naturalization.

Other Requirements

Applicants must also satisfy additional requirements, including:

  • Establishing and maintaining legal residence in Malta during the application process
  • Securing suitable residential accommodation in Malta, either leased or purchased
  • Holding suitable health coverage during the residence period
  • Completing multi-tiered due diligence, including international checks and law enforcement screening
  • Demonstrating adequate knowledge of Maltese or English
  • Providing evidence of genuine ties and continued engagement with Malta
  • Attending required appointments in Malta, including biometric enrolment and the Oath of Allegiance

Applicants should expect the process to take approximately 20 months or more from onboarding to citizenship, depending on the nature of the application, due diligence, government review, and completion of all requirements.

Application Process

  • STEP 1

    Latitude Onboarding and Pre-Clearance

    The process begins with Latitude onboarding and pre-clearance. This allows our team to conduct an initial review of the applicant’s background, objectives, proposed area of merit, and potential eligibility under the Malta Citizenship by Merit framework.

    Following successful screening, we provide a Client Agreement for review and signature. Once the agreement is signed and the retainer payment is received, our case processing team begins preparing the necessary forms and supporting documentation.

    We also liaise with the Community Malta Agency, known as Aġenzija Komunità Malta, which is the Maltese Government agency overseeing applications under Malta Citizenship by Merit.

  • STEP 2

    Residence Application

    A dedicated Relationship Manager works with the applicant on the residence application. Applicants must establish and maintain legal residence in Malta during the process, supported by suitable residential accommodation in Malta.

    This stage may involve leasing or purchasing a property, arranging appropriate health coverage, coordinating the applicant’s first visit to Malta, and attending required appointments with the relevant Maltese authorities.

  • STEP 3

    Biometric Appointment

    The applicant and included dependents are required to attend a biometric appointment. During this appointment, fingerprints, facial images, and other identifying data are securely collected as part of the application process.

  • STEP 4

    Eligibility and Project Application

    The applicant’s proposal is submitted for review. Each submission should include the applicant’s background, the proposed exceptional service or contribution to Malta, evidence supporting the area of merit, and the applicant’s intended engagement with Malta after naturalization.

    The Community Malta Agency’s Evaluation Board reviews the proposal and considers whether the application aligns with the national interest of the Republic of Malta.

  • STEP 5

    Government Application Review and Due Diligence

    Applicants undergo rigorous due diligence screening. This may include international checks, law enforcement screening, source of funds review, background verification, and assessment of the applicant’s overall profile, reputation, and proposed contribution.

    Due diligence is a central part of Malta Citizenship by Merit and helps ensure that applications are assessed with the highest standards of integrity.

  • STEP 6

    Ministerial Decision

    Following review, the Evaluation Board may make a recommendation to the Minister. If the Minister is satisfied with the application and supporting materials, the applicant may receive approval to move forward in the process.

    All applications remain discretionary, and the Maltese authorities retain full decision-making authority.

  • STEP 7

    Approval in Principle

    If the application is approved in principle, the applicant is required to continue satisfying all relevant obligations associated with the naturalization process. This may include maintaining residence, completing required commitments, and preparing for the final stages of the application.

  • STEP 8

    Naturalization Application

    The applicant works with their dedicated Relationship Manager on the naturalization application. This may include certification of supporting documentation in Malta, coordination with local professionals, completion of medical forms, and preparation for the final government review.

  • STEP 9

    Letter of Invitation

    Once the application for naturalization is approved, the Maltese Government issues a Letter of Invitation for the applicant to take the Oath of Allegiance.

  • STEP 10

    Oath and Passport

    All family members aged 18 and above are required to take the Oath of Allegiance. A Certificate of Naturalization is then issued.

    Once this step is complete, the process advances to the passport application stage. Family members aged six and above must be present for biometric enrolment for passport issuance.

Frequently Asked Questions About Malta Citizenship by Merit

Malta Citizenship by Merit is a discretionary legal framework for acquiring Maltese citizenship through exceptional service, achievement, or contribution to Malta or humanity.

It recognizes individuals whose work, commitments, or public service are considered to provide strategic value to the national interest of the Republic of Malta.

MCBM stands for Malta Citizenship by Merit. It refers to Malta’s merit-based naturalization framework for individuals who can demonstrate exceptional service, contribution, or value to Malta.

Malta Citizenship by Merit is best described as a legal framework or merit-based naturalization route, not a conventional citizenship program. It is discretionary, non-transactional, and assessed individually by the Maltese authorities.

No. Malta Citizenship by Merit is not a citizenship by investment program. It does not operate on the basis of a fixed investment amount or passive financial contribution.

Instead, it is based on exceptional service, achievement, or contribution of strategic national value to Malta. Passive investments, including real estate or bonds, are not sufficient on their own.

Eligibility is reserved for individuals who can demonstrate exceptional contributions, achievements, or commitments in areas such as entrepreneurship, philanthropy, science, culture, public service, sustainability, innovation, research, or other fields aligned with Malta’s national priorities.

Applicants must also meet strict character, health, residence, language, and due diligence requirements.

Potential areas of contribution may include strategic initiatives aligned with Malta Vision 2050, philanthropic support in education or healthcare, sustainability projects, research, business ventures that create high-value employment, innovation-led initiatives, or environmental and infrastructure projects.

Each proposal must demonstrate a measurable and direct benefit to Malta.

No defined minimum investment threshold applies. The relevant requirement is a contribution deemed to be of strategic national value and importance.

Each application is considered on its own merits, based on the applicant’s profile, achievements, proposed contribution, and alignment with Malta’s national interest.

The process generally takes 20 months or more from onboarding to obtaining citizenship. The timeline depends on the applicant’s circumstances, residence stage, proposal review, due diligence, government assessment, naturalization application, and completion of all final requirements.

Yes. Applicants must establish and maintain legal residence in Malta during the application process. They must also secure suitable residential accommodation in Malta, either through lease or purchase, and demonstrate genuine ties and continued engagement with the country.

Applicants must possess adequate knowledge of Maltese or English. English is one of Malta’s two official languages and is widely spoken across business, government, education, healthcare, and daily life.

Yes. The main applicant may include a spouse or civil partner, children under 18, dependent unmarried adult children up to age 29, and dependent children of any age with disabilities, subject to the relevant eligibility and due diligence requirements.

Yes. Malta permits dual and multiple citizenship. Applicants should also confirm whether dual citizenship is permitted under the laws of any other countries of citizenship they hold.

Maltese citizens have the right to live, work, study, and establish a business in Malta and across the European Union, EEA countries, and Switzerland. Malta citizenship can also be passed on to future generations, subject to the applicable laws and requirements.

Malta Citizenship by Merit is different from naturalization through long-term residence, citizenship by descent, or past investor-based models. It is discretionary and non-transactional, with emphasis on exceptional service, achievement, contribution, and alignment with Malta’s national interest.

Applicants undergo multi-tiered due diligence, including international checks and law enforcement screening. The process assesses character, background, reputation, health, source of funds, and any issues relevant to the applicant’s suitability for Maltese citizenship.

Applicants who have previously been refused a visa by a country with which Malta has visa-free travel arrangements must generally have subsequently obtained a visa from that country to be considered eligible.

Malta Citizenship by Merit may provide successful applicants with citizenship of a European Union member state, the right to live, work, study, and establish a business across the EU, EEA countries, and Switzerland, access to a powerful passport, dual citizenship flexibility, and the ability to pass citizenship to future generations.

It also offers a meaningful long-term connection to Malta, a safe, stable, English-speaking country with strong healthcare, education, business, and lifestyle advantages.

Latitude advises internationally mobile individuals and families on residence, citizenship, and long-term mobility planning. For Malta Citizenship by Merit, our role is to help applicants assess suitability, prepare a credible proposal, coordinate documentation, manage due diligence requirements, and navigate the process with care and discretion.

Because the framework is discretionary and non-transactional, early assessment is important. Applicants must be able to demonstrate genuine merit, credible contribution, and alignment with Malta’s national interest.

Speak to one of our global experts and begin your journey today

The Latitude Group has been at the forefront of Malta’s citizenship policy since 2014, when our government advisory team was a lead contributor to the launch of Malta’s Citizenship Program. Today, we continue to leverage our expertise to guide clients through the evolving landscape and develop qualifying projects for the new Malta Citizenship by Merit framework.

  • Visa-free travel to 180+ countries
  • 20+ months application processing time
  • A contribution deemed of strategic national value and importance

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