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.
What is clearly stated in the new Maltese Citizenship Act
The following may apply together with the main applicant:
- Spouse, provided that they are in a monogamous marriage.
- Children of the main applicant or his/her spouse, both biological and adopted, who have not reached the age of 29 years at the time of application for citizenship.
All applications will go through a special statutory board and the Malta Community Agency. At the top of this chain is the Minister responsible for citizenship, who will have the final say on the application.
A procedure has been established for depriving citizenship if candidates for the merit program no longer meet the criteria (have ceased to fulfil these obligations, threaten the security of Malta).
Known requirements for obtaining Maltese citizenship by merit:
- Completion of Due Diligence checks.
- Be a resident in Malta for at least eight (8) months or more in the period preceding the date of application.
- Provide ownership of residential property in Malta.
Going forward, APEX Capital Partners will help candidates understand which area to invest in to meet the authorities’ requirements for obtaining Maltese citizenship.
What will not be announced publicly about the new Malta program:
– Criteria for the professional quality and achievements of the candidate that will make him worthy of Maltese citizenship.
– The amounts to be paid/donated/invested are not specified. There are only the phrases “exceptional interest” and “exceptional contributions”.
– Processing times.
Benefits of Maltese citizenship remain the same:
— Live, study and work temporarily or permanently in Malta or in other EU countries.
— Visa-free entry to 184 countries, including the USA (90 days) and the UK (180 days per year).
Processing, what is known about it:
At the first stage, the applicant must provide a detailed description of the exceptional service or exceptional contribution that the applicant intends to render or make for the benefit of the Republic of Malta or humanity in accordance with these rules or a detailed description of why it should be considered to be of exceptional interest to the Republic of Malta.
Bureaucracy. The application is reviewed by the Council, forwarded to the Agency, the candidate and dependents undergo due diligence, and the application goes to the Minister. If approved, another due diligence check. Then the oath, a certificate of naturalization, a passport. And the fulfillment of these obligations to be a good, profitable citizen for Malta, which the Agency will monitor.
APEX is monitoring how the processing will actually develop, wait for an update on the website or notify our experts that you are interested in the Malta citizenship program.
