INDIVIDUAL CITIZENSHIP

Eligibility criteria for the Malta Individual Investor Programme

The main applicant must be at least 18 years of age and may also add to a citizenship application for his/her spouse, as well as children and parents or grandparents, given that certain conditions are met.

Financial contribution

All individuals and families applying to the Malta Individual Investor Program must make a significant contribution to the National Development and Social Fund established by the Government of Malta. This consists of a financial contribution of €650,000 for the main applicant and an additional €25,000 per direct dependents, including the spouse and minor children. In the case of dependent children that are 18 to 26 years of age, or dependent parents over 55 years, a €50,000 contribution is applicable.

Property

Minimum purchase value of €350,000 for a property in Malta or €280,000 for a property in the South of Malta or Gozo, or minimum annual rental of €16,000  for a property situated in Malta or € 12,000 for a property situated in the South of Malta or Gozo.

The applicant should hold a qualifying property for at least 5 years.

Bonds Investment

An investment of €150,000 in Government approved financial instrument is required, which must be maintained for a minimum period of 5 years.

Residency status

On buying/renting their property in Malta, citizenship candidates are issued an identity card. Citizenship is granted after 12 months from date of property purchase or rental. Candidates need not spend 365 days in Malta before citizenship is granted. Residence is defined under Maltese law as an intention to reside in Malta for any fiscal year, usually evidenced by a stay of a minimum of 183 days or by the purchase / rental of property together with a visit to Malta.

Fit and proper test

Applicants must show they are in good standing and repute and will undergo a ‘fit and proper’ test. They must also show they do not suffer from any contagious disease.

Clean Criminal Record

The applicant must have no criminal record. Applicants must provide a police certificate which may be submitted subsequently to the submission of the application but before approval. A person who has been denied a visa to a country with which Malta has visa-free travel arrangement. A person who is deemed a potential national security or reputational risk, or is subject to criminal investigation will also be denied citizenship.

Malta Citizenship Scheme Application Timeline

Malta Residency: Potential candidates who are not already resident in the country are strongly advised to begin the Malta residency process immediately since the Individual Investor Programme has a 12-month residency requirement. To be granted citizenship in Malta as fast as possible, it is very important that the clock is ticking on an applicant’s residency requirement while they progress through the Malta citizenship application process. Upon initiation of a nominee’s residency in Malta, a small deposit of €5,000 for the primary applicant and €1,000 for each family member is due on account of the National Development and Social Fund contribution.

Day 1: A Malta Individual Investor Program application is formally submitted to Identity Malta by an Accredited Person. The application will contain imperative supporting documents, and evidence of source of funds must also be presented at this stage. The following fees are now due:

Due Diligence Fees
Principal applicant – €7,500
Spouse – €5,000
Minor dependents (aged 0-12) – no fee
Minor dependents (aged 13-17) – €3,000 each
Adult dependents – €5,000 each

Malta Passport Fees
All candidates – €500 each

Bank Charges
Per application – €200

A total deposit of €10,000 is now due towards the monetary contribution. Any deposit made when applying for Maltese residency counts towards this amount.

Day 5: Identity Malta will notify the concessionaire or Accredited Person within five business days of submission to confirm whether client’s application has been accepted for review or requires additional paperwork.

Day 90: Confirmation from Identity Malta that the application and supporting documentation are formally in order. The candidate is subject to a further 30 days of additional verification by the Government of Malta’s regulatory body.

Day 120: Applicant is approved in principle. This signifies official Malta IIP approval conditional only on the candidate fulfilling all their remaining obligations under the Maltese nationality program for investors.

Day 125: Identity Malta sends the applicant a formal request for payment of remaining balance of National Development and Social Fund contribution. The candidate has 20 days to pay the full amount.

Day 145: Maltese IIP financial contribution deadline. The entire National Development and Social Fund contribution must be made by this time.

Day 240: Final citizenship by investment Malta compliance. Applicant must provide evidence of €150,000 bonds investment as well as a Malta real estate purchase or rental.

Issuance of Naturalisation Certificate: Once an applicant has fulfilled all their obligations under the Malta Individual Investor Program and taken an Oath of Allegiance, they will be issued a Certificate of Naturalisation and given a Malta Passport.

Our principles

BIZ Consult Limited places particular emphasis on a practical approach and impeccable quality. To ensure that we consistently satisfy the high expectations of our clients, our company is guided by four principles which are the basis of how we work:

• To offer our services only if we feel that we can be of genuine assistance. Without exception.
• To present all our clients with a highly professional and personal service.
• To find the best solutions available anywhere by means of a rigorous and efficient approach.
• To base all our business on honesty, integrity and high ethical standards.