Hi everyone,

I’ve been diving deep into the Maltese regulations lately because, frankly, the internet is still full of outdated data. Even most law firm websites haven't updated their content, and Wikipedia was still showing 2014 rules. so I actually went ahead and updated the Wikipedia page myself yesterday to reflect the current laws. :)

Malta no longer grants citizenship simply "by investment" anymore. It’s now strictly Citizenship by Merit (Naturalisation for Exceptional Services).

I have been living in malta for 12 years and I obtained citizenship 6 years ago.

If you need any questions about Malta I am here to help.

I’m currently researching Grenada, Malta, and Cyprus.If you’ve gone through one of these programs, I’d really appreciate hearing your experience:

Which country did you/they choose? and how long did the process take?

Any experiences with MovingTo, or Henley’s? and other lawyers/law firms you’d recommend?

Our goal is a livable country that provides access to other major locations, and the budget is flexible.

Thanks in advance...

The primary reason for this is because me and my 3yo child are Indians, my wife is a Bangladeshi. We are settled in UAE for 20+ years (UAE does not offer citizenship). We are currently in a lost world belonging to 2 countries that are having increasingly poor political ties. Being in UAE is only good as long as you are rich.

We are all Muslims (it might not be relevant here but some countries/locals appear to be hostile to women in islamic dressing/hijab)

I have a running business here. And I'm looking at a CBI program wherein by investing €750k in Malta can get you Malta Citizenship after 1 year of residency. Both the amount and duration of stay is fine for me.

I just want to secure a 2nd passport for my wife from a country which is considerably ranked better, does not require to learn a local language, and less duration of residency requirement.

The reason I'm not considering Carribbean countries is because of the Vanuatu situation where EU and UK have already approved to cancel visa-free benefits due to increased numbers of CBI passport holders who have no history of residence there.

Also another reason is Malta is considerably closer to UAE. I'm planning to stay 12+ months in Malta with family and try my best to work from here during the application. And probably start a small business in Malta by the side to keep myself locally involved.

What is your advice on this ?

What are everyone’s thoughts on Malta’s Citizenship by Merit program? I’m considering the possibility of pursuing it, but there seems to be very little public information available. From the firms I’ve contacted, the pricing structures vary quite a bit compared to how the previous program used to work.

Has anyone here gone through this program or is currently pursuing it? Are there any potential pitfalls or things to watch out for? Also, are there other citizenship by merit programs available, or firms that specialize in offering them?

For rich TCNS?

We have been agents for Malta’s programs since these were originally implemented over ten years ago, we have never experienced such interest from American citizens. To be honest most Americans hadn’t even heard of Malta till recently, now they are coming over in droves, mostly wanting to ensure a plan B for their families but some are actually moving here. Most quote political instability as the main motivation but others are tired of living in an extremely polarised society.

Thoughts?

Hi, just wondering if anyone has any advice/experience regarding Maltese citizenship by residency. The rules seem to state that after 5 years residence, you're eligible. However, anecdotal evidence suggests you have no chance unless you're married to a Maltese person or have some Maltese relatives or ancestry, you'll just be refused at the discretion of the minister. In my case, I've (British) been living here nearly eight years, but I have a British friend who applied after ten years and was flat refused, so doesn't seem like it's worth wasting the money. So (a) is it actually possible to obtain citizenship by residency and (b) if it is possible, does anyone know what might improve the chances of success? Thanks for your help.

Malta’s citizenship by investment (CBI) program has been taking a serious hit, and the European Commission's legal actions are a big part of why. According to a new report released today, applications dropped significantly in 2022, with Malta only receiving 177 CBI applications compared to 317 in 2020. The major change? A mandatory 12-month residency requirement under the new MEIN policy, which led to a massive decline in applications, halving the volume of CBI requests.

Revenue-wise, Malta also saw its worst year since the peak of EUR 400 million in 2016, with income from CBI programs falling to EUR 110 million. What’s interesting is the dramatic shift in where applicants are coming from. Europe’s share of applicants dropped from nearly 50% in 2021 to under 25% in 2022, with a surge in applications from Asia (38%) and North America (30%).

One surprising detail? Applicants are spending far more on real estate than the minimum required—an average of EUR 3 million on a home in 2022. It’s clear that the program is still attracting high-net-worth individuals, but the changing dynamics and legal challenges from the EU have raised questions about its future.

The report also highlights a first-ever meeting between the Maltese regulator and the European Parliament’s LIBE Working Group, after years of criticisms over vetting processes. It’s clear that Malta is trying to show they’re only granting citizenship to those who deserve it, not just those who can afford it.

But what do you think—will Malta’s CBI program survive these legal challenges, or is it only a matter of time before the EU forces its closure? Is the decline in European applicants a sign of the program’s fading appeal, or just a temporary dip? Let’s discuss.

My parents are considering buying a property in Malta to apply for permanent residency. What are the things they need to know before going for it? What agencies would you recommend for property search and residency application? Thanks in advance

We're looking for one because it will open paths to EU.

Does anyone have an experience of getting one? Or knows someone who has?

Which country did you/they choose? How long did it take? If you/they lived in the country what were your/their experiences?

Any experiences with Henley's? Or any other lawyers/ law firms?

I'm looking for a citizenship by investment for my mum and sis. And currently reading about Malta, Cyprus, Greece etc.