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Malta | 171 Visa Free
Starts at €600,000
171 Countries Visa Free
36 Months Processing Time
Malta | starts at €600,000 | 171 COUNTRIES visa free
Essential Information
Country: Malta
Capital: Valletta
Population: 540,000
Language: English, Maltese
Timezone: GMT+1
Currency: Euro (EUR)
Program Started: 2013
Malta offers a prestigious Citizenship by Investment pathway, officially known as the Maltese Exceptional Investor Naturalisation (MEIN) programme. Updated in 2020, this high-standard, EU-compliant scheme requires an investment contribution between €600,000 (36-month residency) and €750,000 (12-month residency), alongside property investment or rental and charitable donations
Applicants must maintain the real estate holding for five years and complete due diligence, with strict caps and vetting processes in place. Malta remains one of the fastest routes to EU citizenship, with a clear, regulated pathway. Residents benefit from EU rights, including freedom of movement and access to quality education and healthcare.
The programme carefully balances investor security and national standards, offering a high-value option for HNWIs seeking full EU membership.
Fast-Tracked EU Passport in 12–36 Months.
Malta’s CBI programme provides a rare opportunity to acquire full EU citizenship through investment — without needing ancestry or extended residency.
Investors who commit €750,000 to Malta’s National Development Fund and reside legally in the country for at least 12 months may apply for citizenship.
For those opting for a lower €600,000 contribution, the residency period is extended to 36 months.
This is a legitimate and direct route to a powerful EU passport — enabling the freedom to live, work, and travel across 27 EU states. Once naturalised, citizenship is passed down to future generations. No language tests or integration exams required.
Simple, Government-Approved Investment Options.
The Malta CBI structure is straightforward and officially regulated. Applicants are required to:
Make a non-refundable contribution of either €600,000 (36-month route) or €750,000 (12-month route) to Malta’s national fund.
Commit to a residential property by either purchasing real estate worth at least €700,000, or leasing a property for a minimum of €16,000 per year (must be held for 5 years).
Donate €10,000 to a registered NGO in Malta.
Pay an additional €50,000 for each dependent included in the application.
There are no hidden fund structures or risky financial instruments — Malta’s pathway is based on direct contributions and property holding, providing peace of mind and full transparency.
Structured Residency Requirements — Family Included.
Although the citizenship is granted via naturalisation, Malta requires applicants to maintain legal residency status for 12 or 36 months prior to application.
Applicants are not expected to live full-time in Malta — only a minimum connection is required. Physical presence of just 15 days per year is typically sufficient. Spouses, dependent children of any age, parents, and grandparents may be included in a single application.
All applicants must pass Tier 1 due diligence checks, including police clearance and financial background screening. No language tests or military service is required, and children born in future automatically receive citizenship.
Full Citizenship, No Unwanted Tax Residency.
Malta is tax-efficient, particularly for investors who are not domiciled in the country.
Under Malta’s remittance-based tax system, foreign-sourced income is not taxed unless brought into Malta. There are no inheritance, wealth, or capital gains taxes for non-residents. Malta has over 70 double taxation agreements and does not impose property taxes or exit taxes on new citizens.
Corporate structures are also eligible for reduced rates through the full imputation system. If your global wealth is structured properly, Malta can offer EU access without triggering worldwide tax exposure — making it ideal for entrepreneurs, investors, and HNWI.
What Are the Procedures and Timeline for the Malta Citizenship by Investment Program?
After onboarding with FFB and passing due diligence, you proceed with the main government contribution (€600,000 or €750,000), secure property (purchase or rental agreement), and make the €10,000 charitable donation. A residence permit is then held for either 12 or 36 months. Following this, citizenship is granted— and you can receive your passport within 2–4 weeks of approval.
Can I obtain citizenship in Malta while retaining my current passport?
Absolutely. Malta allows dual citizenship, meaning you keep your original nationality while also acquiring Maltese citizenship — no need to renounce your passport.
However, keep in mind that not all countries permit dual citizenship, and your country of current citizenship may not allow you to acquire citizenship elsewhere. If your country does not allow it, the only way to hold multiple passports would be to renounce your existing citizenship.
Legal Basis for Malta Citizenship by Investment:
The programme operates under the Maltese Citizenship Act, specifically the Exceptional Investor Naturalisation regulations (LN 437 of 2020). This sets out investment, residency, and due diligence requirements.
Which countries can i travel to Visa Free, Visa on Arrival or ETA?
At present, the Malta passport offers visa-free, visa-on-arrival, or ETA access to the countries listed below. Please note that these are subject to frequent changes and may be updated periodically.
Albania, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Austria, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Eswatini, Fiji, Finland, France, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nicaragua, North Macedonia, Norway, Palau, Palestinian Territories, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Türkiye, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vatican City, Venezuela, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
We advise consulting with your Free From Borders advisor for the most up-to-date information at the time of your application. We are not responsible for any changes to the above that occur during or after your application is completed, as these changes are beyond our control and at the discretion of foreign governments' border policies.
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