How to obtain Maltese citizenship: MEIN program closed, citizenship by merit announced
The Maltese citizenship program MEIN (Maltese Exceptional Investor Naturalization), naturalization for a special contribution to the country’s economy, is officially closed in July 2025. Over the past few years, Malta has been in litigation with the European Commission over its right to grant Maltese citizenship to investors under the official program. Although Malta won the case, it was not possible to keep the program in its current form. Thus, “citizenship by investment” is being replaced by “citizenship for special merits”. In July 2025, Malta issued a special act that dotted all the i’s regarding how the process of naturalization “for merits” will be regulated.
