Malta Citizenship by Investment

Malta Citizenship By Investment

About Malta

Malta is a 3 island archipelago located in the center of the Mediterranean Sea. While deemed one of the top 10 smallest countries in the world, Malta offers a highly developed infrastructure with superior health, education and financial services. With pro-business policies, special tax incentives and the government’s regulatory framework for cryptocurrency and block chain technology, Malta has become a premier destination for investors.

Along with a stable political environment and growing economy, Malta boasts stunning landscapes with gorgeous beaches and historic sites. Although the Malta Citizenship by Investment Programme ended, a new program was recently introduced in November 2020 known as the Maltese Citizenship by Naturalization for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment (MEIN) aimed at attracting ultra—high net worth and affluent individuals. The program is limited to 400 successful applications per year and will be capped at 1500 applicants. Investors can obtain the coveted European Passport after 1 or 3 years depending on the investment route.

Prime Minister:
Robert Abela

Government:
Unitary parliamentary constitutional republic

Economy:
Tourism and financial

Currency:
Euro

Capital City:
Valletta

Population:
Over 460,000

Language:
English and Maltese

Members of:
EU Member Country,UN,Commonwealth

Benefits

EU Passport

Investment Required
After Approval

Dual Citizenship
Permitted

Visa Free Travel
to over 180 countries

Right to live, work and study
in Malta and EU Country

Passed to
Future Generations

Attractive
Tax Regime

High standard of
education and healthcare

Increase Your Global Mobility With Visa Free Access to over 180 countries

Malta offers one of the strongest passports in the world giving passport holders visa-free access to over 180 countries including the USA, Canada, the EU, UK, Singapore, Hong Kong. Along with access to more countries, applicants may live, work, and study in Malta as well as any EU member country.

Eligibility

Applicants proceeding with the citizenship by investment program must be at least 18 years of age and hold a clean criminal record. The Community Malta Agency conducts a thorough due diligence process to ensure only the highest moral standing applicants can proceed. Applicants are required to provide personal documentation such as passports, national IDs, birth and marriage certificates as well as proof of funds.

In addition, applicants must commit to spending significant time as well as establishing genuine ties to Malta before citizenship is granted.

Candidates must commit to a minimum physical presence in Malta before citizenship is granted.

Full Requirements Checklist

Investment Options

Option 1: 3 years to citizenship

Economic
Donation

Invest a non-refundable donation of at least EUR 600,000 into the Malta National Development & Social Fund, with an additional EUR 50,000 per dependent.

Philanthropic
Donation

Invest a non-refundable donation of at least EUR 10,000 in a registered philanthropic, cultural, sport, scientific, animal welfare, or artistic non-governmental organization or society.

Real
Estate

EUR 700,000 in property acquisition maintained for at least 5 years OR Enter a rental contract with a minimum of EUR 16 000 per year for at least 5 years.

Option 2: 1 year to citizenship

Economic
Donation

Invest a non-refundable donation of at least EUR 750,000 into the Malta National Development & Social Fund, with an additional EUR 50,000 per dependent.

Philanthropic
Donation

Invest a non-refundable donation of at least EUR 10,000 in a registered philanthropic, cultural, sport, scientific, animal welfare, or artistic non-governmental organization or society.

Real
Estate

EUR 700,000 in property acquisition maintained for at least 5 years OR Enter a rental contract with a minimum of EUR 16,000 per year for at least 5 years.

Addtional Fees

Process

1. Speak with one of our advisors to determine the best solution for you and your family. We will discuss the various citizenship options along with the process and investment options of each program. We off tailored solutions to assist and meet your goals.

2. We will conduct our initial due diligence check to ensure that you do not currently hold any criminal charges and are eligible to proceed with the Maltese citizenship program. To process the initial due diligence check, a copy of passports for all applicants over 12 and a copy of proof of address (such as a utility bill) is required.

3. Offshore Circle will submit the client’s residency application on their behalf through a licensed local agent, as required by law while noting which investment option they will proceed with. Applicants must then travel to Malta to submit their biometrics and receive their residency cards. Resident cards are issued within 15 business days and are valid for 36 months.The citizenship by investment eligibility application is then submitted to The Community Agency (CMA). The CMA conducts due diligence processes and upon approval, a Letter of Approval for Eligibility is issued.

4. Applicants must fulfill their residency requirements according to which investment option they are proceeding with. Applicants must commit to spending significant time in Malta during the 1 or 3 year period as well as establish strong and genuine ties to Malta before submitting their citizenship application. Proceed with real estate requirements.

5. After the residency period, the citizenship application is submitted to the CMA along with proof of the real estate requirement.

6. The CMA conducts various due diligence processes and presents the file to the Minister for final review. The typical timeframe is around 4 – 6 months.

7. Upon approval, the CMA issues a letter called Approval in Principle as well as an Investment Request Voucher (IRV), formally requesting the payment of the National Development and Social Fund investment for which the client has 4 months to complete.

8. Once the investments clear, applicants (all adult applicants) are required to attend the Oath Swearing-in person in Malta within 6 months from the date of application approval. The certificate of naturalization is then issued and applicants will then obtain their Malta passport.

Speak with one of our Citizenship Advisors

Speak with one of our advisors to determine the best solution for you and your family. We will discuss the various citizenship options along with the process and investment options of each program. We off tailored solutions to assist and meet your goals.

Initial due diligence check

We will conduct our initial due diligence check to ensure that you do not currently hold any criminal charges and are eligible to proceed with the Maltese citizenship program. To process the initial due diligence check, a copy of passports for all applicants over 12 and a copy of proof of address (such as a utility bill) is required.

Submit Residency Application

Offshore Circle will submit the client’s residency application on their behalf through a licensed local agent, as required by law while noting which investment option they will proceed with. Applicants must then travel to Malta to submit their biometrics and receive their residency cards. Resident cards are issued within 15 business days and are valid for 36 months.The citizenship by investment eligibility application is then submitted to The Community Agency (CMA). The CMA conducts due diligence processes and upon approval, a Letter of Approval for Eligibility is issued.

Fulfill Residency Requirements

Applicants must fulfill their residency requirements according to which investment option they are proceeding with. Applicants must commit to spending significant time in Malta during the 1 or 3 year period as well as establish strong and genuine ties to Malta before submitting their citizenship application.Proceed with real estate requirements.

Submit Citizenship Application

After the residency period, the citizenship application is submitted to the CMA along with proof of the real estate requirement.

Processing time

The CMA conducts various due diligence processes and presents the file to the Minister for final review. The typical timeframe is around 4 – 6 months.

Approval & Investment

Upon approval, the CMA issues a letter called Approval in Principle as well as an Investment Request Voucher (IRV), formally requesting the payment of the National Development and Social Fund investment for which the client has 4 months to complete.

Oath Swearing & Issuance of Passports

Once the investments clear, applicants (all adult applicants) are required to attend the Oath Swearing-in person in Malta within 6 months from the date of application approval. The certificate of naturalization is then issued and applicants will then obtain their Malta passport.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the residency permit valid for?

The residency permit is valid for 36 months and can be renewed only once after the first 3 year period. However, applicants are required to submit their citizenship application after 1 year 0r the 3 year period depending on their investment.

Do I need to reside in Malta for the 1-3 period before submitting the citizenship application?

Applicants are expected to spend a significant period of time in Malta during their residency. Proof of strong and genuine ties to Malta are required to be submitted within the citizenship application.

How long is the passport valid for?

Passports are valid for 10 years.

What are some of the benefits of having an EU passport?

European passports are amongst the strongest in the world, offering visa-free access to many countries. It also gives passport holders the right to live, work, and study anywhere within the EU member countries.

Can I include my family members in my application?

Spouse
Children under 18 years old
Children under 28 years old

Must be unwed & no children
Must be enrolled full time in studies; OR
Financially dependent on the main applicant

Parents and grandparents over 55 years old

Does Malta recognize same-sex marriage?

Yes, Malta recognizes same-sex marriage and applicants can proceed with the citizenship application.

What countries are restricted from proceeding with the citizenship application?

Malta restricts nationals from Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Iran, North Korea, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen from proceeding with the citizenship application.

What medical conditions are exempt?

Applicants who have a contagious disease such as HIV will not be eligible to proceed with the citizenship application.

Why do I need to provide financial documents?

Malta conducts a thorough 4 tier due diligence process on each of the applicants proceeding with the citizenship application.

What are the residency requirements?

Applicants must commit to spending significant time as well as establishing strong and genuine ties to Malta before citizenship is granted. Candidates must commit to a minimum physical presence in Malta before citizenship is granted.

Where should I obtain my police report from?

Police reports must be obtained from the applicant´s country of citizenship as well as from any country the applicant has resided in for more than a year over the past 10 years.

Can I sell my real estate investment?

Indeed, Malta requires you to hold the investment for 5 years, however, applicants can choose to sell their investment after the set period of years without affecting their citizenship status.

Can I sublet my investment?

No, subletting is not allowed for the initial 5 year period.

Do I need a permit to purchase property in Malta?

All foreigners and non-residents need an Acquisition of Immovable Property (AIP) permit to purchase property in Malta, with some exceptions such as if the property is in a specially designated area.

How do I make the payment for the costs and fees?

The government fees including the due diligence, processing, and application fees are paid through your local authorized agent.

Will I get my money back in the case of denial?

TThe government fees including the due diligence, processing, and application fees are non-refundable and will not be returned to the applicant. The investment amount is only required to be made after pre-approval. The Community Malta Agency holds the right to refuse an application if the applicant has a criminal record, does not pass their due diligence process, provides false information within the application, conceals information, or has been denied a visa from any of the countries Malta holds a visa-free agreement with.

Will I be taxed on my income?

Non-residents are only subject to locally sourced income.

What are some other Tax Considerations?