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MALTESE CITIZENSHIP BY INVESTMENT
Key facts about Individual Investor Programme
Main benefits:
1. Official approvment: MIIP programme is the only citizenship programme in Europe approved by the European commission.
2. An opportunity to get a Maltese passport and to become a citizey of European Union and Commonwealth for all members of the family ;
3. Inheritance of the citizenship;
4. Free acess to over 160 countries worldwide;
5. Oppotunity to permanently reside in Europe;
6. Taxation optimisation;
7. Confiditiality of the citizenship approvment;
8. High standards of living in Malta;
9. Social, economical and political safety of Malta.
Main conditions:
1. Financial stability and prospertity;
2. Good health;
3. Good reputation.
Get in touch!
Main investments:
1. Contribution to the National Development and Social Fund- €650,00o for the main applicant- non refundable;
2. In Stocks, Bonds or Debentures- €150,000- refundable and profitable;
3. Acquistion or Lease of an Immovable Property- €350,000 for the purchase or €16,000 for the Lease (minumum for 5 years).
Main stages and periods of acquiring a citizenship of Malta:
1. Signing a contract with an accredited agent and getting a residency identity card (1-4 days). The card is given for 18 months;
2. Handing the documents for the patcipation in the programme and documents revision (120 days);
3. Remiting the remaining contributions, the oath of allegiance, naturalisation and emission of passport (approximately 2 months).
The total length of the period to acquire citizenship of Malta by the "Individual Investor" programme is that of, according to the law of Malta, minimum six (6) and not more than twenty four (24) months, with a condtion that all the requirment are met. However, the passport and a certificate of naturalisation could issued at least in 12 months after issuance of a residency card.
In our personal experience, from the moment of handing in the documents to participate in the programme to the Indentity Malta- governmental organisation in charge of issuing the citizenship- to the issuance of the passport, there are about 12-14 months.
Official sources regarding the programme:
1) Official annex to the Citizenship Act number 47, 2014;
2) Guidance to registration of citenship to Indentity Malta;
3) Press release of the European Commision regarding approvment of MIIP programme.
Border-free world: a no-visa entry worldwide and opportunity to live in Europe
- Malta is a unique country: it is a full and beloved member of the EU and Commonweath. Thus, it gives you and your children an opportunity to visa-free entry and education privilegies in over 160 countries, including USA, Australia, Great Britain, Canada, Japan, and all Shengen countries.
- The ownership of Citizenship of Malta does not oblige to reside on the territory of the island: those, who have received a passport may live in any other country of the EU, as well as Switzerland, Norway, Iceland andLiechtenstein.
Numerous tax benefits
- Foreigners, who have obtained citizenship of Malta, but do not permanently reside on the island, are not taxed for any foreign income and on capital gains outside Malta.
- Malta has signed and ratified agreements about Double Taxation Relief with over 60 countries.
- For Maltese citizens only declared income, transfered to Malta, are taxed (residing in Malta is not obligotary).
- If you earn income outside Malta, then taxes on any capital (regardless of whether it is transfered to Malta or not) are not payed.
- In Malta there are no inheritance, wealth, property and municipal taxes and fees.
Economical, political and social safety.
Information on the fact of obtaining Maltese Citizenship is not dicslosed to the third parties;
- Level of crime in Malta is one of the lowest in Europe;
- Malta is characterized by the highest level of political stability;
- Malta is one of the most succesful European countries with the registered GDP growth by 5% in 2017 and one of the lowest unemployement rates in Europe- 4,1%.
Opportunity to obtain double citizenship for all members of the family
- Citizenship of Malta could be obtained by all members of the family of the main applicant, including unmarried children under 25 and parents over 55 years;
- Maltese Citizenship is inhereted, thus your grandchildren could become EU and Commonwealth citizens, regardless of their future place of residence;
- Residency permit in Malta valid for 18 monthes could be obtained by all members of the family during 1-2 weeks after submitting an application for acquiring citizenshio of Malta by investments.
Relatively low costs for obtaining European Citizenship
- The total cost for obtaining citizenshio of Malta for the family of three is approximately 1,000,000 euros plus property.
- In comparison, the price of citizenship of Bulgaria-2,000,000 euros, Cyprus-5,000,000 euros- and that is considering the fact that, unlike this countries, Malta is a full member of the EU and British Commonwealth
- Moreover, 150,000 евро, invested by an applicant of the programme "Citizenship of Malta by investments" in securities- could be easily returned in 5 years; during all 5 years all the divedends are received by an applicant.
- Currently, the cost of property in Malta is on average increased by 6% annualy; property could be obtained via the credit at 3,5% per annum.
Opportunity to officially obtain citizenship of European citizenship at the shortest time possible.
- If all documents are approved and all investments are made ont ime, the process of obtaining citizenship of Malta can take only 12-14 monthes.
- Apart from this, the main applicant and members of of the family, may obtain residency card, that would allow (but won't oblige) to reside within EU borders until obtaining Maltese passport.
High social standards of living in Malta
- Healthy medditerenean climate (average length of life in Malta- 78 years for men and 82 years for women);
- Numerous educational and social benefits for young and adult citizens of Malta;
- Friednly English-speaking environment;
- European level of life, including secondary and higher education;
- Measured lifestyle, "Mediterrenean diet", perfect ecology;
- High level of medicine.
Condtions of obtaining citizenship of Malta by investment
Physical health
A health certificate can be obtained in Maltese hospital or coudl be filled by and official medician in the place of residency (read more on "Docs").
Financial viability
At the stage of applying, the main applicant should demonstrate the avaliablity of funds or assets, covering all payments required to participate in MIIP programme (obtaining citizenship of Malta by investments).
Those payment include refundable and not refundable investments, namely:
1. Contribution to the National Development and Social Fund:
- The main applicant is required to contribute at least €650,000 to Malta, €10,000 of which needs to be paid upon application and is not refundable.:
- Spouse of the main applicant: €25,000;
- Children under 18 years: €25,000;
- Unmarried children from 18 t0 27 years: €50,000;
- Closest relatives above 55 years: €50,000.
2. An Investment in Stocks, Bonds or Debentures (refundable and profitable investment): not less than €150,000.
3. Investments in property:
- The minimum value for the acquisition of a property, which is to be held for at least 5 years, is that of €350,000, or
- the minimum annual rent for the leasing of a property is that of €16,000 with a minimum lease period of 5 years (non-refundable).
More about payments and calculation could be seen here.
Impeccable reputation
- Absence of opened crime cases,
- Impaccable personal and business reputation;
- Favorable and stable credit history;
- Absence of sanctions, restrictions and prohibitions on entry to EU countries, USA, Great Britain and Canada;
- Absence in the list of persons wanted by Interpol;
- Absence in participation in any cases related to tax evasion, terrorism, crimes against humanity, war crimes;
- Possibility to prove the legality of the source of funds;
- Absence of belonging to the PEP category (Politicaly important persons).
Good attitude to Malta
- Willingness to bring the Oath of Allegiance to Malta (the last stage before obtaining Passport of Malta);
- Willingness to spend not less than 30 days with year after obtaining residency card;
- Wilingness to show the connections with Malta (the letter is prepared by an Authorised Agent after the consultation with the main applicant).
Procedure of obtaining Citizenship of Malta by investments
Conclusion of an agreement with an Authorized Agent for the registration on the MIIP. (Could be performed distantly)
According to the rules of IIP, the process of application is carried out through a Concessionaire, Accredited Persons or Approved Agent
Attention: prices may vary among the Approved Agents from 40,000 t0 80,000 for the main applicant.
Always make sure about the prices for the Agent services (processing fees), that are not usually published in the leaflets and initial pricelists, what sometimes comes out as a surprise for the citizenship applicant at the moment when it is very hard to refuse from the further obtaining of the citizenship.
Preparation of the necessary documents. (Could be performed distantly)
- The whole list of documents is provided here.
- Our company can help you with all the documents, that are to be filled in Malta.
Residency card. Personal presence required, 2-3 working days.
- Execution of the residency card is performed after the interview of the main applicant with the authority of the Identity Malta;
- The residency card is required only for the main applicant; other members of the family may obtain it, but not obliged to;
- The benefit of making a residency card is to reside permanently in Malta.
- Residency card is required for those citizens, who are not residents of Malta, don't want to obtain it by themselves and can't prove that they reside in Malta 12 monthes after enrollment for the citizenship of Malta programme.
- At this stage, the main applicant (and, by request, members of the family) go through the interview with the authority from the Identity Malta.
Medical examination. Possible options
The applicant for the citizenship of Malta and members of his family may undercone medical examination in one of the hospitals in Malta, or outside the island: this examination should be perfomed by a licensed doctor or official medical organisation, by filling and signing the required form.
Verification of financial sustainability of the main applicant and members of his/her family
- Уполномоченный Агент осуществляет первоначальную проверку документов претендента на гражданстов Мальты, заполняет все необходимые формы и подает заявление на приобретение гражданства Мальты в IM. Сроки первоначальной проверки - одна-две (1-2) недели (как правило, процесс проверки происходит одновременно с процессом оформления резидентской карты).
После получения от Identity Malta формального подтверждения того, что они получили все необходимые документы, они выставляют счет на сборы due diligence, оформление паспортов и на остаток депозита.
После оплаты этого счета ответственные лица Identity Malta начинают проверку всех документов и участников программы. В процессе этой проверки, они могут требовать дополнительные документы.
В течение 90 дней с момента получения заявления на приобретение гражданства Мальты и всех сопровождающих документов Мальтийские власти проверяют:
- Формальную корректность заполнения заявления;
- Достоверность информации, представленной
- Заявителем;
- Благонадежность претендента на гражданство Мальты и членов его семьи и их соответствие требованиям программы;
- Факт оплаты всех платежей, необходимых для оформления гражданства Мальты - оплату услуг проверки благонадежности, паспортных сборов, банковских сборов и невозвратного депозита;
- Легальность происхождения средств претендента на гражданство Мальты.
Letter of Approval
- Withing thirty (30) days from the date of complition of inspection, specified in the previous paragraph, Maltese Authorities have to inform an Approved Agent in the written form regarding the citizenship process, that might be:
- Principally approved;
- Denied;
- Additional documents have to be provided.
Payment of the remaining fees and filling the documents. Could be performed distantly
- If the application for obtaining citizenship of Malta is principally approved, Maltese Authorities issue the document- Letter of Approval in Principle, with the notion that in 4 monthes after receiving this letter the Applicant shall provide the evidence of having:
- An insurance, as mentioned in the "Documents" section, and
- The Property Rental or Purchase agreement.
- Apart from the abovementioned, the main applicant shoul invest in Maltese obligations.
Meanwhile, Maltese registry shall receive originals of Birth, Marriage or Divorce certificates for approval. The original documents will be held at the local registry office. In order to leave the originals, it would be necessary to order in advance copies of the originals.
After receiving all the necessary documents and applications, but not sooner than in 1 months, IM would issue an official inventation to bring the Oath and collection of the passport. The passport/s would be issued in approx. 5 days after the Oath.
After receiving the Approvment in Principal, it would be necessary to make all essential installments and remaining fees within 20 days.
Oath of Allegiance, Naturalisation and passports. 6-7 days of personal presence
- After receiving all the necessary documents and applications, but not sooner than in 1 month and not later than in 12 months after issuance of residency card, Ministry of Internal Affairs issues a Certificate of Naturalisation and sends an official inventation to the Oath and issuance of the passports.
- Certificate of Naturalisation comes into force afte the Oath of Allegiance to Malta
- In 5 days the passports are issued.
List of documents, required to obtain the citizenship of Malta
Power of Attorney on the name of an Approved Agent
Required for submitting the documents and forms
International passports for all the members
Originals and certified copies of all the pages
General Passport
or their analogues, with an address of permanent residence indication- originals and certified copies.
Birth certificates
Originals, or the original copies, issued by the same municipal agency. Non-returnable after the Citizenship issuance.
Certificates regarding the change of social status
It is essential to provide all marriage, divorce and change of the name certificats, that took place during the life of each of the applicants.
Identification documents, issued by other countries
If there are any. Identification documents from all the countries in which an applicant has resided for more than 6 months during the last 10 days are needed.
Photos in colour
3x4, 8 for each member of the family, on the white background, printed on matte paper.
Bank statement and reference
The bank statement from the account of the main Applicant about the avaliable funds to pay the contribution to the National Development Fund and obtaining of securities. The account required is the one from which all the contributions would be made.
It is also essential to provide evidence of the source of those funds.
International Insurance Policy
Insurance policy with an international coverage with an insurance premium of not less than 50,000 euros per each of the applicants (could be made in Malta).
Medical certificates
For dependants, who do not have an opportunity to visit Malta before submitting an application for the citizenship of Malta, a medical certificate should be filled (ask your AM or MaltaVIP assistant). The form has to be filled in English (or translated) and certified by the seal of a medical worker, who must attach a certified document upon the qualification о своей квалификации, либо печатью медицинского учреждения, содержащую сведения о названии, лицензии и адресе учреждения. Может быть оформлена как на Мальте, так и по месту жительства.
Documents related to military service
If there are any. The certified copies of the main page and pages with the information regarding periods of service, rank, type of military service and type of troops.
Documents related to employment or ownership of business
Depending on the employement type- statutory documents of the сompany; working contract, reference.
Invoices for water/electricity or other documents, proving your permanent place of living
For the Main Applicant and for every adult 18 years and over.
The originals of the certificates of criminal records
Have to issued for every applicant 18+ not later than 6 months after submitting the application.
Affidavits (in relation to the dependants)
Have to be made by an Approved Agent and signed by dependants in the presence of notary.
Documents, confirming guardianship of underaged children (if there are)
If the dependant is a minor child (under 18 years), being under a guardiaship of the Main Applicant or a dependant- an applicant for the citizenship of Malta- the according documents have to be provided.
Consent of second parent (if needed)
If parents of a minor child (under 18 years), who is a dependant willing to participate in the program for the citizenship of Malta, are divorced or one of the parents does not apply for the citizenship of Malta, the notary certified letter should be provided, stating that the parent does not raise objection against his/her child application for citizenship of Malta.
Letter for willingness to create strong bonds with Malta
Prepared by an Approved Agent on the basis of candidates wishes. This letter is needed if the Main Applicant doesn not plan to live in Malta 12 months after getting a residency card.
Special forms
Are filled by an Approved Agent in accordance to the date provided by an Applicant.
- General requirments for the documents:
All documents, provided by applicants for the citizenship of Malta, issued outside Malta, have to be be apostilled in accordance with the Hague Convention of 1961, or certified in the embassy / consulate of Malta by place of residence or by an official diplomatic representative of the Republic of Malta. All documents provided NOT in English have to be translated with an official certification.
Thus, each of the documents has to include an original (if possible) or a notary certified copy.
- The certification has to include:
- Date of certification,
- Full name of the person in charge,
- Credentials,
- Conditions on which the translation is valid,
- Home and work adress of the translator,
- Number of the telephone and e-mail;
- Apostile of the document or certification in the embassy or consulate of Malta;
Certified translation of the document and Apostile stamp. The certification has to be made by an approved international agency or by a translator with such credentials.
How can we help you?
We can advise you about all the details of the programme and provide you with professional assistance in preparation and subumitting the documents. Also we can organise all the necessary meetings and help you with choosing and purchasing or renting the property in Malta.
Dealing wtih Identity Malta, we are working under the license Num IIP088, issued on the name of Stephen Balzan, who is our long-term partner and one of the best tax consultants in Malta.
Citizenship of Malta - ask us, we know!
Citizenship of Malta: Frequently Asked Questions
How much time does it practically take to obtain the citizenship of Malta via the "Individual Investor" program?
Citizenship of Malta is processed for a minimum of 6 months and maximum of two years. At the moment of obtaining a passport of Malta the Applicant has to demonstrate that he/she has been a resident of Malta for at least one year (the actual stay in the premisese of Malta should be at least that of 30 days).
In our personal experience, if an applicant provides a full list of documents, essential to obtain citizenship of Malta by investments, and has a perfect reputation- the whole process takes 12-14 months.
You would be informed upon a fact of approvment within one hundred twenty days after your documents would be accepted by Identity Malta.
What is the total price for obtaining the Citizenship?
The total cost of citizenship of Malta by investments depends on the number of people in the family and their age. You can see a step by step calculation on our website, or send us a form with DOB of all your family members, applying for the Maltese passport, mentioning their relation to the main Applicant and we will provide you with the prices.
But some other companies promise to make the citizenship within a week...
This is just a "marketing trick", based on the confusion between "citizenship" and "residency".
In one-two weeks only an e-card (residency card) could be made. According to the experience of our clients this process takes from 1 day to a week.
Residency card gives its owner an opportunity to reside in Malta (and Schengen) during a citizenship registration process- but this card allows it owner just to reside, but is not a citizenship. The process of citizenship registration (Maltese Passport), according to the Legal Notice 47 of 2014 , p.7 (9) takes from 6 months to 2 years. It is impossible to make it faster, Eurocomission pays strong attention to the process- Europe hardly accepted this program (citizenship of Malta by investments) and controls it on all levels. And those, who try to convince you in the opposite, most probably, would make you just a residence card. But, because all deposits would be already payed, you will be bound to stay their clients for the whole period of registration of the Maltese citizenship.
How long does the citizenship last after approval?
Once issued, the citizenship of Malta lasts forever and is inhereted by your children and grandchildren, apart from the cases, when a citizen does not fulfill the promises given during the Oath.
How profitable are investments made during citizenship registration?
The most profitable is the investition to the property. In the last years the prices for the property in Malta grow stably, while to sell a flat or house in a good district is usually possible within 1-2 months. The property prices rised by 13,4% during 2016, while in the first quarter of 2017 they increased by 5,4%.
Obligations, obtained for minimum of 150,000 euros after receiving Letter of Confirmation, are emissed by National Bank of Malta and bring around 2-4% annualy.
Can my child or my mother become a resident of Malta?
In the frames of one application, citizenship of Malta could be registered for children (under 18 years of age), for unmarried chidren, who are financialy dependant on the main applicant (below 25 years) and for parents of the main applicant (older than 55 years). The extra costs could be seen in the according document on our website.
Is citizenship of Malta inherited?
Yes, it is. Regardless of naturalisation type, your ancestors have all rights to become citizens of Malta.
Children, born after passports were issued to parents will automatically become citizens of Malta. For already existing children the citizenship is registered with the main applicant. . The only exclusion are children older than 25 years: they are considered as independent and have to make a separate application.
Do I have to know English or Maltese to get a citizenship of Malta by investments?
No, there are no any language conditions.
What is Identity Malta?
Identity Malta (IM) - is an official government agency, created by Government of Malta to deal with the cases regarding registration of people in Malta via different programs, such as citizenship of Malta by "Individual Investor" program.
Who are AM's (Approved Agents, Authorised Mandatory, AM) and what are their functions?
AM - are legal and auditory firms or private consultants, authorized by Identity Malta to work with candidates on citizenship of Malta or residency of Malta. According to law, the examination of correspondance of documents and submission of documents for citizenship of Malta could only by made by an Approved Agent. Our company works with the license issued to one of our partners- Mr. Stephen Balzan- who was one of the first accredited agents (license number IIP088).
Why Approved Agents take a deposit for their services and how much is it? And what if there would be a refusal?
You may get a refusal only in case of concealment or not providing any essential information or not fulfilling conditions of the program. An Approved Agent would anyway make the full list of work, including examination and supervision of all the documents, linked to your application.
The cost of services of Approved Agent varies from 30,000 to 85,000 euros for the Main Applicant.
If, due to some reasons, I will get a refusal- will I lose all 650,000 euros??
No. All main payments made to the National Development Fund (650,000 for the main applicant), contributions to the securities (150,000 euros) are payed after receiving the Letter of Approval in Principal for citizenship of Malta, what is a state gurantee that the citizenship of Malta would be deligated. Moreover, the agreement for purchase of property could be signed after receiving Letter of Approval and even mention in the preliminary agreement that the property would be purchased after receiving of such a letter. Than, even in hypothetical chance of refusal, you want loose your money spend on property.
Why may I get a refusal for citizenship of Malta by IIIP?
A refusal to issue a Maltese passport is possible if the Main Applicant or member of the family:
- Provided false information on purpose;
- Was convicted;
- Is an object of criminal prosecution;
- Carries a potential threat to the national security of Malta;
- Participates or have participated in social action, that disgrace Malta;
- Received a rejection in a visa from a country that has a visa-free agreement with Malta;
- Is wanted by an International Criminal Police or is/was convicted of serious crime acts by the International Crime Court;
- Has a serious contangious disease, which is a threat to the health of the population of Malta
- Accused of relation to the terroristic acts, organisations or their financing, malicious tax evasion, war crimes, crimes against humanity, prostitution, kidnapping, rape, seduction of minors
- Is a Politically Exposed Person (PEP).
Who has a right to translate documents for citizenship Malta?
The examination of certification of translation has to be made by a proffesional translator, who is oficially accredited by court, municipal agency, international organisation or an other official estate.
Other European countries provide a permanent residency cheaper. Why do I have to choose Malta?
Other EU countries provide a residency card, that only provide a right to reside in EU; Malta provides a citizenship, with a full passport of Malta and all the rights and tax beneifits of a European citizen.
In comparison, citizenship of Bulgaria costs around 2,000,000 euros Cyprus- 5,000,000 euros. And that is considering a fact that Malta is a full member of the European Union and Commonwealth.
I've heard that for the citizenship of Malta you have to buy a property for 280,000 euro and pay 16,000 euro annually... Who do I have to believe?
The numbers you mentioned refer to the Global Residence Program, that allows to get a residency permit in Malta. This page is dedicated to the Citizenship of Malta. All information provided here is based on the official sources from the Government of Malta, namely:
1) Official annex to the Citizenship of Malta act number 47 of the year 2014 ;
2) Guide to the citizenship of Malta from Identity Malta,
as well as on the information provided to us from the official representatives during the process of registration of Citizenship of Malta for our clients.
As far as I know you have to stay for at least 12 months in Malta for the Citizenship Program
No. An applicant should be a resident of Malta: owner of residency card/permit issued during registration of documents for citizenship of Malta. According to the information from the officials and experiences of our clients- it is more than enough to spend 30 days in 12 months, at any convenient time for you.
After receiving citizenship of Malta I'll have an opportunity to live in any other European country?
Citizens of Malta, like all other citizens of the EU, have a right to live in any country that is a part of the Union, as well as in Switzerland, Norwey, Iceland and Liechtenstein
Do I have to refuse from my actual citizenship after receiving citizenship of Malta?
No, if your country allows double citizenship or has such an agreement with Malta. .
After becoming a Maltese citizen I am becoming a tax resident of Malta?
You become a tax resident of Malta only if you spend more than 183 days in the country. Ask us: one of our partners is one of the major tax consultants in Malta and we will find the best solution for you.