The Malta Individual Investor Programme
What is the First Step?
The first step in the IIP application process for is for the Main Applicant to apply for an E-Residency Card, which will entitle the applicant to establish residence in Malta and to travel freely within the Schengen Area. The residence requirement is mandatory for the Main Applicant only, however dependents can also apply for this card. Main applicants and dependants have to visit Malta to apply for their E-Residence Cards as they need to submit their biometric data. Applicants aged 12 years and over have to submit biometric data in person. Applicants below 12 years can present a passport photo together with the relevant forms. In order for an E-Residence Card to be issued the applicant must submit proof of (i) economic self-sufficiency; (ii) global health insurance; and (iii) residential address in Malta.
Even though the IIP Regulations state that no Certificate of Naturalisation will be issued unless the main applicant provides proof that he has been a resident of Malta for a period of at least 12 months preceding the day of issuing of the certificate of naturalisation, it is understood that the main applicant is not expected to actually live in Malta during this period but must explain how he/she intends to obtain a residence status in Malta, for example, by leasing property in Malta.
What are the prescribed fees to obtain the E-Residence Card?
The Main Applicant must pay Eur5,000 on account of the Eur10,000 non-refundable deposit set out in the IIP schedule of fees indicated below. Each dependent must pay an administration fee of Eur1,000 over and above the fees applicable to dependents set out in the IIP schedule of fees.
What are the requirements to be eligible for the IIP?
Further guidance on the prescribed requirements is available here.
Any documents submitted in support of IIP Application must be in the English language or if the original language is not English, by an authenticated translation.
In the case of the requirement to obtain a police conduct certificate, if the applicant has resided in various countries, he will be obliged to obtain a conduct certificate from that jurisdiction in which he has resided for a cumulative period of 6 over the last 10 years. Police conducts must be submitted in original and must not be older than 6 months.
Are there restrictions in respect of certain nationalities applying for the IIP?
Yes. Nationals of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea), or are non-nationals but reside, do business, have significant ties in, or connections to these countries are not eligible to apply for Maltese citizenship.
Can EU nationals apply for a Maltese passport?
Yes.
Once a Maltese passport is issued, where will it be recognised?
A Maltese passport will entitle the holder to travel visa-free to over 160 countries and the right of establishment in all the European Union countries.
Is dual citizenship possible?
Yes. However you should verify with your current country in which you are a citizen whether any restrictions apply.
Is knowledge of the Maltese language a pre-requisite for obtaining Maltese citizenship?
No.
Will children born to naturalised parents automatically become Maltese citizens?
Yes. Children born after the date of issue of the naturalisation certificate will become Maltese citizens.
What are the time-frames in order to obtain a Certificate of Naturalisation?
The rules indicate a minimum period of 6 months and a maximum period of 24 months, however in practice the process takes around 12 months. A Letter of Approval in Principle is issued within 120 days to applicants whose applications have gone through a thorough due diligence process and have been deemed to be satisfactory. The said Letter of Approval will indicate the time-frames within which the applicant must satisfy the conditions in order to obtain the Certificate of Naturalisation. Within 5 days from the Letter of Approval, the applicant shall be requested to remit the contribution less the non-refundable deposit already received. The balance on the contribution would need to be paid within 20 days from such instruction. The applicant will be granted 4 months to show proof of acquisition/lease of immovable property in Malta and of the prescribed Maltese investments. Once the Certificate of Naturalisation has been issued, the Maltese citizenship granted would be considered as permanent.
When is a Maltese passport issued?
Upon the receipt of the Certificate of Naturalisation the holder may request the issue of a Maltese passport by providing a complete application form for a European Union Malta passport. It is important to note however that the applicants who have not yet satisfied the “genuine link” requirement, that is to say, the 12-month residency requirement must wait for this period to expire before applying for a Maltese passport. Applicants who were already Maltese residents for one year preceding their application may apply for a Maltese passport on the expiry of 6 months from the date of application for Maltese citizenship.
How much does a Maltese passport cost?
| Contributions: | |
| Principal applicant (EUR 10,000 shall be remitted as a non-refundable deposit prior to submission of the application) | €650,000 |
| Spouse | €25,000 |
| Each dependent child aged 0-17 | €25,000 |
| Each dependent child aged 18-26 | €50,000 |
| Each dependent aged 55 or above | €50,000 |
| Due Diligence Fees: | |
| Principal applicant | €7,500 |
| Spouse | €5,000 |
| Each dependent child aged 0-17 | €3,000 |
| Each dependent child aged 18-26 | €5,000 |
| Each dependent aged 55 or above | €5,000 |
| Passport fees | €500 |
Can the names of applicants who have acquired Maltese citizenship be found in the public domain?
Yes. The names of all persons who will have acquired Maltese citizenship in any particular year are published in the Government Gazette only once in that year.
