visa-free or visa-on-arrival travel access
deemed of strategic national value and importance
The Malta Citizenship by Merit framework was amended through Legal Notice 159 of 2025, which updated 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.
The main applicant must generally:
A spouse or civil partner may be included, provided they meet the relevant eligibility, character, health, and due diligence requirements including:
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.
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.
Applicants may contribute through a range of commitments, provided there is a measurable and direct benefit to Malta. These may include:
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.
Applicants must also satisfy additional requirements, including:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Once the application for naturalization is approved, the Maltese Government issues a Letter of Invitation for the applicant to take the Oath of Allegiance.
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.
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.
No, Malta Citizenship by Merit is best described as a legal framework or merit-based naturalization route. 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Enhanced visa-free or visa-on-arrival travel access
A contribution deemed of strategic national value and importance