Thinking about applying for a Malta passport in 2025? This guide explains everything you need to know - from eligibility and investment options to the step-by-step application process.
Whether you're investing, settling by residency, or applying through marriage, learn how to secure your future with Maltese citizenship the right way.
The Malta Passport acquisition through investment, officially called the Maltese Citizenship by The Granting of Citizenship for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment (CDI/MEIN), replaced the old Individual Investor Programme (IIP) in 2020.
It gives eligible people the chance to apply for Maltese citizenship after living in Malta for either 12 or 36 months, depending on how much they invest. This is not a simple “buy-a-passport” system—the process includes strict background checks, proof of a real connection to Malta, and several important steps.
The program is made for high-net-worth individuals (HNWI) who are ready to support Malta’s economy and become part of the community.
As a citizen of Malta, you also become a citizen of the European Union, which means you can live, work, and study in all 27 EU countries, plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
You will also enjoy excellent travel freedom, including:
• Visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 180 countries, such as the USA, Canada, Australia, and Japan
• Full access to the Schengen Area, making it easier to travel across Europe
The program is also designed for families. You can include your spouse or partner, children under 18, or up to 29 years old if they are unmarried and financially dependent, and parents or grandparents over 55 who depend on you financially.
Malta is known for being safe, stable, and business-friendly, with:
• A strong A+ credit rating
• A fast-growing economy within the EU
• A favourable tax system for both individuals and companies
More benefits include:
• No language requirements
• Dual citizenship is allowed
• Citizenship is passed on to future generations, even if they are born abroad
• Malta offers excellent healthcare, education, and a relaxed Mediterranean lifestyle
• It’s also a great place for a second home, with good air and sea connections
To apply for Maltese citizenship through the MEIN program in 2025, applicants must follow clear rules related to age, health, background, and residency. These rules help make sure that only trustworthy and serious individuals are approved.
Basic requirements
• The main applicant must be 18 years or older.
• All applicants must be in good health and not have any contagious diseases.
• A clean police record is necessary for every person in the application.
• Everyone included must pass a four-level background check, which includes checks by international organisations like Interpol and Europol.
Residency in Malta
Applicants must legally live in Malta for either:
• 12 months (if contributing €750,000), or
• 36 months (if contributing €600,000).
During this time, they must show real connections to Malta—such as owning or renting a property, visiting often, giving to charity, or being active in local groups. A simple paper connection is not enough.
Who can be included:
Applicants can also include their:
• Spouse or partner
• Children under 18, or unmarried children up to 29 years old if they depend on the main applicant
• Parents or grandparents over 55, if they are financially dependent
This makes it possible for whole families to apply together.
To apply for Maltese citizenship through the MEIN program, you need to make a few important financial contributions. These payments must be made after you are approved as eligible, and the property must be kept for at least five years.
Contribution to Malta's National Development Fund:
• €600,000 if you apply after 36 months of residency
• €750,000 if you apply after 12 months of residency
• €50,000 extra for each dependent added to the application
Property Investment (choose one):
• Buy a property worth at least €700,000, or
• Rent a property for at least €16,000 per year (for 5 years, and no subletting allowed)
Philantropic donation:
• Give €10,000 to a registered charity or NGO in Malta
The CDI / CBI / MEIN citizenship process involves several key steps. Here’s how it works in 2025:
Step 1: Preliminary Due Diligence
• The Community Malta Agency carries out a four-tier background check, including reviews against Interpol, Europol, and other international databases, to ensure all applicants meet ethical and legal standards.
Step 2: Police Clearance Certificate
• Applicants must obtain a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) from their country of birth or residence. If the document is not in English or Maltese, a certified translation is required.
Step 3: Apply for Residency
• Submit documents like passports, health insurance, proof of funds, and lease/purchase agreements.
• Pay €5,000 (main applicant) and €1,000 per dependent.
Choose between the 12-month or 36-month residency route.
Step 4: Eligibility Application
• Pay due diligence and admin fees (e.g., €15,000 for main applicant).
• Submit full documentation including bank statements, identity documents, and financial records.
• Receive decision within 120–150 days.
Step 5: Apply for Citizenship
• Submit the full application pack, which differs based on the residency route.
• Include updated affidavits, police records, and proof of investment.
Step 6: Ministerial Approval
• The Minister reviews your case and issues an Approval in Principle if successful.
Step 7: Fulfil Investment Commitments
• Provide proof of property investment, financial contribution, and charitable donation.
• Show evidence of residency (e.g., boarding passes).
Step 8: Oath of Allegiance & Malta Passport Issuance
• Attend the citizenship ceremony and take the oath.
• Receive your Certificate of Naturalisation and Maltese passport.
• Submit a compliance form every year for five years.
Besides the investment program, there are other legal ways to become a Maltese citizen in 2025.
Citizenship by Naturalisation (based on residency)
You may apply for Maltese citizenship by naturalisation if you have legally resided in Malta for a total of at least five years, including at least four years within the last six, and one full year immediately prior to your application.
Applicants must demonstrate good character, be able to communicate in either Maltese or English, and show that they are financially self-sufficient and not dependent on social assistance. In addition, the application must be supported by two guarantors: one must be a person of professional standing (such as a doctor, lawyer, or police officer), and the other must be a Maltese citizen who was born in Malta.
Citizenship by Marriage
If you are married to or in a civil union with a Maltese citizen, you can apply for citizenship after five years of marriage and living together. Civil unions are officially recognised in Malta.
You may still qualify even if you are separated or your partner has passed away, as long as you lived together for at least five years before the separation or their death.
DZ Advisory can help with all types of citizenship applications, and will guide you through the process step by step.
Getting a Malta passport in 2025 gives you more than just travel benefits. It gives you the right to live, work, and study across the EU, as well as access to a safe and high-quality lifestyle for you and your family. Whether you apply through investment, residency, or marriage, the process takes time and careful planning.
That’s why it’s important to get help from experts. DZ Advisory is a licensed agent that can guide you through every step, so contact us today for a personalised consultation and start your journey towards becoming a Maltese citizen with confidence.