Malta attracts wealth to its shores through investments in exchange for a microstate citizenship
With rapidly changing globalisation and evolving geopolitics, there is an ever-growing number of high-net-worth individuals who bring wealth, talent and skills to Malta. They are willing to invest and relocate to give themselves and their family members the chance to broaden their horizons to become a part of Malta’s welcoming community. Malta is a forward thinking microstate, a leader in digital innovations.
Community Malta Agency
The Community Malta Agency is the government entity responsible for administering and processing all Maltese citizenship related matters. This includes accepting and processing applications for the acquisition of Maltese citizenship by descent, citizenship through merit, citizenship by naturalisation through long term residence and through exceptional service by merit and exceptional service by investment in Malta.
The Agency which replaces IIP Agency is also responsible for the carrying out of an in-depth due diligence process on each and every application, and putting forward recommendations to the Government regarding the granting of citizenship.
The newly launched official website is https://komunita.gov.mt/
Citizenship for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment
Malta launched citizenship for direct investments in Dec 2020 with a limited quota of 1500 investors. Only 400 investors will be processed annually.
This granting of citizenship by naturalisation for exceptional services by direct investment is regulated by S.L. 188.05.
The requisites for filing citizenship applications are:
- Provide a proof of residence in Malta for a period of 36 months, provided that this period may by exception be reduced to a minimum of 12 months, subject to an exceptional direct investment (of €600,000 and €750,000 respectively), to be effected prior the issue of the certificate of naturalisation;
- Purchase an immovable residential property in Malta having a minimum value of €700,000 or take on a lease a residential immovable property in Malta for a minimum annual rent of €16,000, which property shall be adequate and suitable for the applicant and his dependants, for a minimum period of five (5) years from the date of issue of the certificate of citizenship;
- Carry out an exceptional direct investment in Malta, in accordance with the Regulations (S.L 188.05); and
- Donate, prior to the issue of the certificate of naturalisation, a minimum of €10,000 to a registered philanthropic, cultural, sport, scientific, animal welfare or artistic non-governmental organisation or society, or as otherwise approved by the Agency.
All applicants will be subjected to a 4 layer due diligence and risk matrix developed by government of malta.
Rules
- Due diligence fees – Due diligence fees are applicable on persons who are over the age of 12 years.
- Applicants with links to ineligible countries – There are a number of countries which, if the applicant has a direct link to, shall not be eligible to apply under these regulations. These countries are: Afghanistan, Chad, Eritrea, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Libya, Myanmar (known as Burma), Nigeria, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Venezuela, and Yemen. The Agency reserves the right to update the list of banned countries from time to time. Such list will be communicated with all Agents accordingly.
- Cut-off dates for submission – The cut-off date at which point applicants and their dependants are considered as eligible under the Regulations is the date when the payment for the EPRV is received at the Agency’s bank account.
- Starting date for residence period – The starting date for the residence period shall be the issuance date of the residence card. If more than one person is applying within the same application, the start date will be of the person last issued with the residence permit. All adult dependants who wish to apply for citizenship under the Regulations must hold a residence permit for the required periods.
- Declaration of which route the applicant wishes to take – The applicant should declare if they intend to go for the 3-year route or less when applying for the residence permit.
- Addition of new dependants – The application is taken as final when the eligibility application is submitted and EPRV is duly paid. Only new-borns after that date can be added before the Oath of Allegiance is taken.
- Oath of Allegiance – The Oath of Allegiance has to be taken by all adults and has to be performed in person in Malta.
- Connecting factors with Malta – Prospective applicants are required to be physically in Malta and build connecting factors during the residence period. These requirements shall be satisfied by providing documented proof. It is required that the applicant presents to the Agency his proposal on how he intends to create these connecting factors when presenting the eligibility application.
- Payments – Requests for payment must always be done in one transaction and not split into multiple transactions. Payments for the residence permit shall be done by the Agent, whilst for the eligibility and the citizenship applications shall be done by the applicant through his personal bank account.
- Licenses – A person can act as a licensed agent on behalf of only one legal person.
- Refused applicants – Persons who had their application refused under any Maltese Citizenship regulations is not eligible to apply under these Regulations.
- Due diligence database – Agents must show through documented evidence that they have full access to a recognised due diligence data base.
- Renewal of residence card – Residence cards will be renewed only once after the first three-year period.
- Citizenship application – Citizenship applications can be submitted after the stipulated residence period by all members within the application has been completed.
