The Maltese citizenship program MEIN (Maltese Exceptional Investor Naturalisation), naturalization for a special contribution to the country’s economy, operates on the basis of the law of November 2020. Now, in 2025, it requires to get a residence permit first, and then after at least one year investor and his family members get Maltese citizenship under this official legal program. The application may include a spouse, children under 29, parents, and grandparents.
In fact, the Malta citizenship program is a unique offer on the European immigration market for investors to have a direct path to obtaining a passport after Montenegro’s program closes at the end of 2022.
Who may not apply for Maltese citizenship via naturalization program MEIN?
Candidates who are connected with countries from this list: Afghanistan, Chad, Eritrea, Iran, the Russian Federation, the Republic of Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Libya, Myanmar, Nigeria, North Korea, Somalia, Syria, Tanzania, Venezuela, Yemen.
What makes Malta’s MEIN program attractive?
First of all, this is a unique opportunity to obtain citizenship of Malta, a European country, a member of Schengen. At the first stage of processing of the MEIN program, a full package of documents is submitted for consideration by the authorities via a licensed agent. Literally within one month, the investor and family members will receive a Malta residence permit card. This step requires a visit to Malta (biometric data, personal receipt of the document).
Residential Property in Malta under the MEIN program
To obtain Maltese citizenship, you may either purchase real estate for an amount of €700,000 or rent it at the price set by the MEIN program. However, the most likely choice is still renting real estate at a rate of €16,000 per year. It is quite possible to focus on this amount for rent; Apex Capital Partners specialists will help you choose convenient options within this budget.
BENEFITS OF MALTESE CITIZENSHIP
— 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).
— Apply for citizenship for the whole family. The investor can include in the application his/her spouse, children under 29, parents, grandparents.
— There is no requirement to take a language test.
REQUIREMENTS FOR MALTESE CITIZENSHIP
— It is necessary to visit Malta to submit biometric data (everyone except children under 12 years of age) when applying for a residence permit at the first stage and when receiving citizenship.
— The property will need to be rented for another 5 years after receiving citizenship. Or own the property for 5 years after receiving citizenship, if the property is purchased.
— It is important to comply with the requirements for sufficient presence in Malta (check with your APEX specialist for details).
Apex Capital Partners specialists will provide professional legal support, advise at all stages while obtaining Maltese citizenship, and will also prepare all necessary documents.
OPTION 1.
12 MONTHS FROM RESIDENCE PERMIT TO CITIZENSHIP
Contribution to the government fund (non-refundable)
€750,000
purchase of residential property (returnable investment*)
€700,000
or
6-year lease – from €96,000 (at a rate of €16,000/year)
Contribution to the local charity fund —
€10,000
(non-refundable)
OPTION 1.
36 MONTHS FROM RESIDENCE PERMIT TO CITIZENSHIP
Contribution to the government fund (non-refundable)
€600,000
purchase of residential property (returnable investment*)
€700,000
or
8-year lease – from €128,000 (at a rate of €16,000/year)
Contribution to the local charity fund —
€10,000
(non-refundable)
*Real estate must be owned for 5 years + 1 year rent for a residence permit
Please note that mandatory government fees will be added to the declared investment amounts. As well as legal support services. Request a cost calculation from APEX.
What’s in store for Malta’s program in 2025?
In late April 2025, the European Court of Justice ruled that Malta’s MEIN program “violates EU law”. The court cited the lack of a genuine link to the country for candidates receiving citizenship by investment under the program as a key factor.
These same arguments were presented earlier, which served as a pretext for complicating the conditions for participation. But the European Parliament is still not satisfied and is not ready to retreat. Let us recall that Malta MEIN currently remains the only program in Europe for investors that allows them to obtain citizenship (through an investment residence permit).
So, Malta, in response to the European Court’s decision, has officially stated that it respects this position, but all previously issued passports will remain valid, and holders of citizenship by investment will not be affected. However, the country promises to review the MEIN program’s regulatory framework in the near future. Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela noted that the program has provided the country’s economy with over €1 billion in funds needed to develop social, medical, infrastructure and environmental projects.
CARIBBEAN CITIZENSHIP BY INVESTMENT
Caribbean citizenship by investment is allowed in Antigua & Barbuda, Anguilla, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia, and St. Kitts & Nevis. Acquiring a second passport in Caribbean countries has many benefits.
CITIZENSHIP BY INVESTMENT IN REAL ESTATE PROJECTS
Apex Capital Partners has experience in the real estate market. This allows you to find reliable developers around the world whose projects allow you to obtain citizenship for real estate.
ABOUT APEX CAPITAL PARTNERS
Apex Capital Partners Corp. is a full-service government mandated advisory firm specializing in second citizenship and investor immigration programs for a multinational clientele.
APEX provides services with end-to-end execution for many HNWI, representing them to Citizenship by investment programs in countries around the world.
- More than 30 YEARS of investment consulting
- More than 3 BILLION USD in investments
- More than 3000 CLIENTS served internationally
