Malta Citizenship by Investment (NESDI)

The Malta Citizenship by Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment (NESDI) programme is a residency route leading to citizenship in Malta. Primarily, this programme grants citizenship to high-net-worth individuals by directly investing in Malta’s economy, donating to charity, and holding residential property.

The granting of Citizenship by Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment is regulated by Regulations S.L. 188.05. Notably, the annual quota is 400 families, totalling 1,500 families for the whole scheme.

Learn more about Malta Citizenship and if you are interested, let one of our immigration law professionals here at Endevio guide you through the process.

• Key Benefits of Malta Citizenship by Direct Investment
• Main eligibility Requirements for Malta Citizenship
• Financial Options under Malta Citizenship by Investment
• Timeframe
  
  

Key Benefits of Malta Citizenship by Direct Investment

Granting of Malta Citizenship by Direct Investment entails the following benefits:

• Firstly, citizenship in a well-respected, economically and politically stable European country.
• Secondly, citizenship status is inherited by future generations even if born outside of Malta.

• Thirdly, freedom to travel visa-free to over 186 countries, including the USA, Canada and Australia.
• Moreover, the right to live, work, and study in all 27 EU states, including Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Iceland.
• Lastly, the right to own a second home in Malta.

Notably, Maltese citizenship is granted for life, but the passport must be renewed after ten years. Eligibility may also extend to the applicant’s dependants, including spouses or partners in a relationship, children up to the age of 28, parents and grandparents under specific terms.

Essentially, to qualify for citizenship by investment, you must hold a Maltese residency permit for twelve or thirty-six months depending on your investment, before becoming a citizen. Fundamentally, individuals are not required to reside in Malta for the entire residence period. However, it is important to establish a connection to the country by travelling in person to the country.

Main Eligibility Requirements for Malta Citizenship

• Primary applicant must be 18 years of age, or older.
• Holding Maltese residency status for a period of 36 months or 12 months, depending on the investment (of €600,000 and €750,000 respectively), to be effected prior to the issuance of the certificate of naturalisation.
• Purchase an immovable residential property in Malta having a minimum value of €700,000. Alternatively, lease a residential immovable property in Malta for a minimum annual rent of €16,000. Such qualifying property is to be held for a minimum period of five (5) years from the date of issuance of the certificate of naturalisation. The changing of property and switching from lease to purchase, or vice versa, is permissible throughout the period.
• Carry out an exceptional direct investment in Malta, in accordance with the Regulations.
• Donate, prior to the issuance of the certificate of naturalisation, a minimum of €10,000 to a registered philanthropic and Government Agency approved organisation or society focusing on cultural, sport, scientific, animal welfare or artistic endeavours.
• The applicant and all dependants to have approved global health insurance.
• Have a clean criminal record.
• Not be considered a potential national security risk.
• Not having a reputational risk.
• Not subject to criminal proceedings.
  
  

Financial Options under Malta Citizenship by Direct Investment

Importantly, the requirements for citizenship by direct investment in Malta include a non-refundable direct investment donation to charity, a real estate purchase or rent, and payment of administration fees.

Under these regulations, you have two options:

• Citizenship after three (3) years of residency status
• Citizenship after one (1) year of residency status

As the principal applicant, you must make philanthropic donations to registered cultural, scientific, animal welfare, artistic or sports non-governmental society organisations aside from exceptional direct and property investments. Additionally, you must also retain your property for at least five (5) years from the date of issue of citizenship.

Timeframe

There is a strict due diligence process for investors and their families to obtain Maltese citizenship. Among other things, they must prove they are in good health and have no criminal record. Furthermore, under the regulations, the applicant must also hold a resident status for three years before applying for citizenship. Notably, a higher investment option shortens the wait time to one year.