UPDATE: New Malta Citizenship by Direct Investment Regulations

On the 20th of November, the new Malta Citizenship by Direct Investment regulations were published by the Maltese Government. 

The formal name given is Maltese Citizenship by Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment, commonly referred to as the Maltese Exceptional Investor Naturalisation (MEIN) procedures. 

The number of Citizenship certificates issued to principal applicants – excluding dependants- is of 400 per year, and a total of 1500 in total. So, if you are interested in knowing how to be granted with Citizenship in Malta through Direct Investment, please contact us to secure your place. 

The Maltese Citizenship by Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment is regulated by the Maltese Citizenship Act (CAP. 188) and the Legal Notice 437 of 2020.

Which Direct Investment Qualifies for the Maltese Exceptional Investor Naturalisation (MEIN) procedures?

Individuals and their families will be able to obtain Citizenship in Malta through the new Maltese Citizenship by Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment regulations, by making a direct investment in the country and passing different levels of due diligence checks.

Applicants will need to make a government contribution, a real estate investment – in the form of a purchase or a lease- and a donation to a Maltese charity has been formalised. All adult dependants will need to apply for residence in Malta. As well, they can choose whether to apply to Maltese Citizenship through the standard route after 36 months or apply under the expedited option after 12 months.

The direct investments that are required under the Maltese Exceptional Investor Naturalisation (MEIN) procedures are the following;

• Government Contribution: A government contribution is deemed to be paid before being granted with Maltese Citizenship, which can vary as below:
  • Standard procedure: If applying after 36 months, a contribution of €600,000 for the Main Applicant and €50,000 is added for each additional dependant;
  • Expedited procedure: If the applicant decides to apply at the 12th month or after only a year, a contribution of €750,000 is due, plus €50,000 for each additional dependant.
• A Property Investment: Applicants will need to either buy a property in Malta with a minimum value of €700,000 or to lease a property for a minimum annual rent of €16,000 and retain it for at least five years from the date of the certificate of Citizenship;
• Donation: A compulsory donation of €10,000 to a registered non-governmental organisation or society

Who can apply for the Maltese Exceptional Investor Naturalisation (MEIN) rules?

A principal applicant and his or her dependents can apply for the Maltese Exceptional Investor Naturalisation (MEIN) rules and be granted with Citizenship in Malta through a Direct investment in the country.
The qualifying dependents are defined by the Legal Notice 437 of 2020 as it follows:

• the spouse of the applicant, as long as it is monogamous marriage. Life partners, including a civil union, domestic partnership, common law marriage also qualify, and the term “spouse” in these regulations shall be construed as gender-neutral;
• children dependent, from the principal applicant or the spouse as defined above, under 18 years old at the time that the citizenship application is submitted;
• children over 18 but under 29 years old (29 years old not included), at the time that the citizenship application is submitted, who is unmarried and fully or primarily supported by the principal applicant;
• children of the Main Applicant or the spouse, who at the time of the application has attained the age of eighteen (18) and is qualified as a person with a disability
• Parent dependants over the age of 55 years old, at the time that the citizenship application is submitted, who are fully or primarily supported by the Main Applicant.

Definition of dependants under the Maltese Exceptional Investor Naturalisation (MEIN) rules is broad and clear. Life partners are included in the application as dependants. Most importantly, this definition must be taken as gender-neutral meaning that same-sex relationships in civil union unions or domestic partnerships also qualifies.

The definition of children dependant also includes adopted children.

Which are the costs to obtain Citizenship by a Direct Investment in Malta?

Aside from making the qualifying investment, applicants will need to make certain disbursements which can be referred below:

• Residence Application Fees:
  • €5,000 for the Main Applicant
  • €1,000 per each dependant
  • €27.50 Residence Card Fees per card
• Eligibility Process Fees:
  • Due Diligence Fees:
    • €15,000 for the Main Applicant
    • €10,000 for adult dependants of over 18 years old
    • If the applicant is sponsored, a Due Diligence fee of €15,000
  • Administrative Fees:
    • €1,000 per applicant
  • Citizenship Application Fees:
• Administrative Fees:
  • €5,000 for the Main Applicant
  • €1,000 per applicant

In case of residence cards renewals, there will be a charge of €227.50, and if the applicant has changed address, the fee will be of €27.50.

Apart from the above fees, there may be other fees like bank charges or passport fees, aside from the CSB Group Professional Fees. Please contact us for a detailed process capital outlay and costs for your particular situation.

Which is the government body in charge of the Maltese Exceptional Investor Naturalisation (MEIN) applications for residence and Citizenship?

The Legal Notice 437 of 2020, which implemented the Maltese Citizenship by Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment, also created a new Agency called Community Malta Agency.
The Community Agency is the government body in charge of assessing all residence and citizenship applications submitted by CSB Group and any other Licenced Agents.

How do I get Citizenship by Direct Investment in Malta?

Applicants will need to be granted residence in Malta prior being granted Citizenship.

Citizenship Eligibility Application

Once the residence cards are granted, applicants will be able to submit the Eligibility Application. In this stage, applicants will need to disclose his source of wealth and funds and a stringent due diligence process is made by Community Malta agency.

Citizenship Application

Provided that the applicant is eligible for Maltese Citizenship, the citizenship application can be submitted to Community Malta, after 12 or 36 months.

Community Malta will update the Due Diligence process on the applicant, and further documentation depending on when the application has been submitted – either after 12 or 36 months- will be requested.

Citizenship Approval

Once Citizenship has been approved, the applicant will need to fulfil the investment criteria and invited to come to Malta to take the Oath of Allegiance and be granted with a Certificate of Naturalization. The Maltese passports will be therefore issued, and there is continuous monitoring for 5 years.

How can CSB Group help you?

Investing in a second Citizenship or Residence by investing in the jurisdiction of choice can certainly protect HNWI and their families, as well as giving them independence, freedom and flexibility.

CSB Group Citizenship & Planning services headed by Andres assists Private Clients, HNW and UWNH individuals and their families in deciding their best routes to achieve Financial Diversification, Freedom & Security through a Sound and Smart Investment in Europe or the Caribbean.

About the Author

This article has been Authored by Andres Gutierrez, CSB Group Investment Migration Consultant. Please contact Andres on the +356 9924 1428 on WhatsApp, Telegram or WeChat, or directly on [email protected]