Citizenship By Investment In Malta

Since joining the EU in 2004, Malta has become a strategic destination for alternative citizenship seekers from around the World. Malta attracts high-end investors and traders due to the strength and impeccable reputation of its financial services sector, excellent ICT infrastructure, health care facilities, low crime rate, productive and highly educated workforce, education options both in Malta and European Union.

According to the Maltese Government, they strove to design “… a program that is intended to take Malta to the world, to expand our horizons and bring to Malta people not only willing to invest, but who believe in our potential despite the fact that we are a small island nation.”

Malta’s Citizenship by Investment route was the first EU-approved citizenship program, and it now continues to attract high net worth individuals looking for investment immigration. Malta is a perfect safe haven – a neutral, safe and stable country with friendly people living a European lifestyle and enjoying a Mediterranean quality of life.

Malta offers two independent yet complementary routes for Permanent Residency and Citizenship. The Malta Permanent Residence Program (MPRP) yields a straightforward permanent residency for those who wish to make malta their home. While the granting of citizenship by Naturalization can be acquired only through Exceptional Services by direct Investment.

WHY CHOOSE citizenship in Malta by investment?

With a Maltese passport, you can experience the freedom of being a Global Citizen and take advantage of the following prime benefits:

• Fast processing within 3-4 months;
• Fast-track residence cards within 1-3 weeks, with Schengen mobility for 18 months;
• A total of 12 months to passport issue (inclusive of processing time) from the date of initial residency;
• Inclusion of dependent children under 25 years of age;
• Inclusion of dependent parents or grandparents, 55+ years of age;
• Flat 15% tax rate on foreign source income based on remittance basis; 35 % flat rate on income arising in Malta;
• No worldwide income/wealth tax – tax is only paid on income remitted to and kept in Malta;
• Visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 182 countries and territories, including EU, Canada, USA, UK;
• Right to live, work and study in any of the European Union’s 28 countries, Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein;
• Malta recognizes dual citizenship, therefore you can still benefit from your current citizenship status;
• No need to purchase a property; property rental option available;
• You may qualify for the Malta Retirement Program.

How to qualify for Residency/citizenship in Malta by investment?

To qualify for Citizenship-by-Investment in Malta Program, the applicant must:

• Be at least 18 years of age and of good health;
• Have a clean criminal record;
• Reside in Malta for 1 year, 3 years or 5 years before applying for citizenship (length of time will depend on investment type).

Residency Financial Requirements

• Contribution of €58,000 to approved Government fund AND
• Lease property with a minimum annual rent of € 12,000 (€ 10,000 in Gozo or South of Malta) OR
• Contribution of €28,000 to approved Government fund AND
• Buy real estate in Malta for a minimum investment of €350,000 (€300,000 if located in Gozo or South of Malta) OR
• In both cases, the property cannot be sub-leased. The applicant must occupy it for five years, after which a residential property is required. AND
• Donate €2,000 to a local philanthropic, cultural, scientific, artistic, sport or animal welfare NGO registered with the Commissioner of Voluntary Organisations
• Pay an additional €7,500 for each adult dependent

Citizenship Financial Requirements

• Contribute at least EUR 600,000 to the National Development and Social Fund of Malta (Receive Citizenship in 3 years); OR
• Contribute at least EUR 700,00 to the National Development and Social Fund of Malta (Receive Citizenship in 1 year); AND
• Purchase property worth at least EUR 700,000 to be held for five years. Or, lease property with a minimum annual rent of EUR 12,000 (EUR 10,000 in Gozo or South of Malta). In both cases, the property can not be subleased. The Applicant must occupy it.
• Donate EUR 10,000 to a registered philanthropic, cultural, sport, scientific, animal welfare or artistic non-governmental organization or society.
• Spouses and children must contribute 25,000 euros; unmarried children between 18 and 25 and dependent parents must contribute 50,000 euros each