Malta Citizenship by Investment (Abolished)

Individual Investor Programme (2014 – 2020)

Malta launched its Individual Investor Programme (IIP) in 2014 through Legal Notice 47 of 2014, after amending the Maltese Citizenship Act (Cap. 188). The main applicant had to:

• contribute €650,000 to the National Development and Social Fund;
• invest at least €150,000 in approved stocks, bonds or other investment vehicles and hold it for five years;
• buy a home in Malta worth at least €350,000, or rent one for at least €16,000 a year, and keep it for five years.

The IIP was capped at 1,800 successful main applicants.

Exceptional Services by Direct Investment (2020 – 2025)

In 2020 the IIP was replaced by naturalisation for exceptional services by direct investment (ESDI), under Subsidiary Legislation 188.06 and run by Community Malta Agency. Applicants had to hold Maltese residence and then:

• contribute €600,000 after 36 months of residence, or €750,000 after a reduced 12 months, plus €50,000 for each dependant;
• buy a home worth at least €700,000, or rent one for at least €16,000 a year, for at least five years;
• donate at least €10,000 to a registered philanthropic, cultural, scientific or artistic organisation;
• pass a four-tier due diligence process.

The scheme was capped at 400 approved applicants a year.

Why it was abolished

The European Commission opened infringement proceedings against Malta in October 2020 and referred the case to the Court of Justice of the EU in 2023 (Commission v Malta, C-181/23). On 4 October 2024 Advocate General Collins advised the Court to dismiss the case, but on 29 April 2025 the Grand Chamber ruled against Malta: granting citizenship in exchange for predetermined payments or investments amounts to a transactional naturalisation that is incompatible with EU law (Article 20 TFEU and Article 4(3) TEU).

Malta then passed the Maltese Citizenship (Amendment) Act, Act XXI of 2025, which came into force on 24 July 2025 and removed the investment-based route.

Can I still get Maltese citizenship through investment?

No. The remaining route is discretionary Malta citizenship by merit for people whose exceptional service, contribution or interest to Malta in science, research, technology, sport, entrepreneurship, culture or philanthropy is endorsed by a designated competent body. Investors who want to live in Malta can still apply for Malta permanent residence.

Sources

• Parliament of Malta – Act XXI of 2025, Maltese Citizenship (Amendment) Act
• EUR-Lex – Judgment of the Court (Grand Chamber), 29 April 2025, C-181/23
• Court of Justice of the EU – Advocate General’s Opinion in C-181/23 (press release)
• Government of Malta – press release, 4 October 2024
• Community Malta Agency – Acquisition of citizenship
• Best Citizenships – Malta abolishes citizenship by investment
• Best Citizenships – Malta citizenship by investment (IIP)