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Citizenship by merit

Malta Citizenship by Merit

Maltese citizenship for exceptional service or contribution to Malta or humanity.

Basis
Exceptional merit
Visa-free destinations
153
Processing
Case by case
Visit / stay
At least 8 months of residence in Malta before the formal application

Buy online · 2026

Malta Citizenship by Merit

Newly launched program offering discretionary route to Malta citizenship for people whose achievements in business, science, culture or sport serve the national interest.

  1. ReserveUS$500 online
  2. Pre-eligibilityDue diligence screening
  3. Build the caseEndorsements & evidence
  4. PassportCase by case

Who qualifies · Frequently asked questions

Overview

Under Article 10(9) of the Maltese Citizenship Act and Subsidiary Legislation 188.06, a person who renders exceptional service to Malta or to humanity, makes an exceptional contribution, or is of exceptional interest to Malta may be granted citizenship by merit. Eligible fields include science and research, technology, sport, entrepreneurship and job creation, culture and the arts, and philanthropy. Each case is discretionary.

The process starts with a detailed proposal letter to Community Malta Agency. An independent evaluation board reviews it, the Agency carries out due diligence, and the Minister gives approval in principle. The applicant then files the formal application after at least eight months of residence in Malta, with title to adequate residential property and knowledge of Maltese or English. Fees are set by the Agency.

Key benefits

  1. Maltese citizenship through a merit-based, discretionary route
  2. Dependants can be included in the request
  3. Visa-free access to 153 destinations
  4. Independent evaluation board and robust due diligence
  5. Recognises entrepreneurs, scientists, artists, athletes and philanthropists

Who qualifies

Entrepreneurship & job creation

Exceptional contribution to the Maltese economy.

Science, research & technology

Scientists, researchers and technologists.

Culture & the arts

Artists and cultural performers.

Sport

Athletes and sports persons.

Philanthropy

Philanthropic initiatives benefiting Malta or humanity.

Family & requirements

Who can be included
Dependants as set out in S.L. 188.06
Visit or residence
At least 8 months of residence in Malta before the formal application
Processing time
Case by case
  • Article 10(9), Maltese Citizenship Act (S.L. 188.06)
  • Independent evaluation board and due diligence
  • Knowledge of Maltese or English required

Malta passport: travel access

153destinations without a visa in advance
  • 119 visa-free
  • 25 visa on arrival
  • 9 eTA
  • 28 eVisa
  • Schengen Area – no visa in advance
  • United Kingdom – no visa in advance
  • Ireland – no visa in advance
  • Canada – no visa in advance
  • United States – no visa in advance
  • Singapore – no visa in advance
  • Japan – no visa in advance
  • South Korea – no visa in advance
  • Brazil – no visa in advance
  • Russia – visa required
  • China – no visa in advance
  • United Arab Emirates – no visa in advance
  • Switzerland – no visa in advance
  • Australia – no visa in advance
  • New Zealand – no visa in advance
Show all 153 destinations

Albania · Andorra · Angola · Antigua and Barbuda · Argentina · Armenia · Australia · Austria · Bahamas · Bahrain · Bangladesh · Barbados · Belarus · Belgium · Belize · Bolivia · Bosnia and Herzegovina · Botswana · Brazil · Brunei · Bulgaria · Burundi · Cambodia · Canada · Cape Verde · Chile · China · Colombia · Comoros · Costa Rica · Croatia · Cyprus · Czech Republic · Denmark · Djibouti · Dominica · Dominican Republic · Ecuador · Egypt · El Salvador · Estonia · Eswatini · Ethiopia · Fiji · Finland · France · Gabon · Gambia · Georgia · Germany · Greece · Grenada · Guatemala · Guinea-Bissau · Haiti · Honduras · Hungary · Iceland · Indonesia · Ireland · Israel · Italy · Jamaica · Japan · Jordan · Kazakhstan · Kenya · Kiribati · South Korea · Kuwait · Kyrgyzstan · Laos · Latvia · Lebanon · Lesotho · Liechtenstein · Lithuania · Luxembourg · Madagascar · Malawi · Malaysia · Maldives · Marshall Islands · Mauritius · Mexico · Micronesia · Moldova · Monaco · Mongolia · Montenegro · Morocco · Mozambique · Namibia · Nepal · Netherlands · New Zealand · Nicaragua · North Macedonia · Norway · Oman · Palau · Panama · Paraguay · Peru · Philippines · Poland · Portugal · Qatar · Romania · Rwanda · Saint Kitts and Nevis · Saint Lucia · Saint Vincent and the Grenadines · Samoa · San Marino · São Tomé and Príncipe · Saudi Arabia · Senegal · Serbia · Seychelles · Sierra Leone · Singapore · Slovakia · Slovenia · Solomon Islands · South Africa · Spain · Sri Lanka · Suriname · Sweden · Switzerland · Syria · Tajikistan · Tanzania · Thailand · Timor-Leste · Tonga · Trinidad and Tobago · Tunisia · Turkey · Tuvalu · Uganda · Ukraine · United Arab Emirates · United Kingdom · United States · Uruguay · Uzbekistan · Vanuatu · Vatican City · Venezuela · Zambia · Zimbabwe

Source: Wikipedia – Visa requirements for Maltese citizens, updated 29 Sep 2026. Always confirm entry rules with the destination before travel.

How Citizenship Shop helps

Add the program to your cart or click Buy now to reserve it for US$500. Create your client account and complete the pre-eligibility questions at checkout. A senior advisor then reviews your profile within one business day, confirms the best investment route and the exact government fees for your family, and prepares your application with a licensed local agent.

Malta Citizenship by Merit: FAQ

Is there a fixed price for the Malta Citizenship by Merit?

No. Citizenship by merit is granted at the government’s discretion, case by case, and there is no published price or investment threshold. Your advisor assesses your profile and achievements before any application is prepared.

How long does the Malta Citizenship by Merit take?

There is no fixed official timeline – processing is case by case. Your advisor gives you a realistic timeline after the pre-eligibility review.

Can I include my family in the application?

Family members who can be included: Dependants as set out in S.L. 188.06. Your advisor checks each dependant’s eligibility before you apply.

Do I need to visit or live in Malta?

At least 8 months of residence in Malta before the formal application. Rules change from time to time, so your advisor confirms the current requirement in writing.

How many countries can I visit visa-free with a Malta passport?

A Malta passport gives visa-free, visa-on-arrival or eTA access to 153 destinations. See the travel access section above for the full list and key destinations.

Official source

Prices and rules on this page were verified on 28 September 2026 against: Community Malta Agency – Citizenship by Merit.

Governments revise fees and thresholds without notice. Your advisor confirms the exact figures in writing before any investment is made.

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Reserve today US$500