Malta Citizenship by Investment Changes: What You Need to Know in 2026

The Malta citizenship by investment changes officially came to an end when the program was closed following a 2025 European Court of Justice ruling that found the scheme unlawful under EU law, and the Maltese government’s decision to formally end it.  

Since its launch in 2014 as the Malta Individual Investor Programme (MIIP), the program went through several changes before it ended. These included its original €650,000 contribution structure and 1,800-applicant cap, its replacement in 2020 by the stricter Malta Exceptional Investor Naturalisation (MEIN) framework, which introduced higher financial requirements and stricter due diligence, and the EU infringement proceedings that ultimately led to its closure.  

This article explains the full timeline of the Malta citizenship by investment changes, what happened to pending applications, the alternative routes to Maltese citizenship and residency that are still available, and why the program came to an end. 

Malta Citizenship by Investment Changes: Key takeaways

Malta’s Citizenship by Investment program officially ended in 2025 after the European Court of Justice ruled that it breached EU law.  

The former MIIP and MEIN programs are permanently closed, and no new citizenship-by-investment applications are being accepted.  

Citizenships already granted remain valid and will not be revoked, while pending applications continue to be handled on a case-by-case basis.  

Maltese citizenship is still available through naturalization, descent, marriage, birth, and the Citizenship by Merit (CBM) initiative for individuals with exceptional achievements. The CBM program does not require a financial investment.  

Malta still offers the Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP), which provides immediate permanent residence through qualifying investments, with the rental route starting from €169,000. 

On 29 April 2025, the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Justice (ECJ/CJEU) ruled in European Commission v. Malta (Case C-181/23) that Malta’s investment  by citizenship scheme breached EU law. The court found that granting citizenship in exchange for financial investments was a “commercialization” of EU citizenship. 

The judges ruled that this was against the principle that EU Member States must cooperate with one another, as set out in Article 4(3) of the Treaty on European Union. 

Following the ruling, Malta amended its Citizenship Act through Act XXI of 2025, gazetted on 24 July 2025, which officially ended the Malta Citizenship by Investment program.   

1. Citizenships already granted remain valid

Malta confirmed that anyone who completed the naturalization process before the court ruling keeps their citizenship. Their citizenship will not be revoked.  

2. What happened to pending Malta MEIN applications?  

The Maltese government has said it intends to protect the rights of applicants who applied before the ruling and whose applications were already at an advanced stage. However, pending applications were put on hold, and, as of 2026, there has not been an official finalized transition process. Instead, the applications are handled on a case-by-case basis.  

Yes, Maltese citizenship is still possible. Foreign nationals can acquire it through several established routes: Naturalization, descent, marriage, and birth, for children born to a Maltese citizen parent. 

In addition, Malta has introduced the Malta Citizenship by Merit (CBM) initiative. This is a discretionary framework that allows the Maltese authorities to consider individuals who have provided exceptional services or made outstanding contributions in areas such as science, technology, innovation, the arts, culture, sports, research, or philanthropy.  

The framework is not attached to any financial contribution or investment requirement; instead, each application is assessed individually, taking into account the applicant’s achievements, expertise, and the long-term value they could bring to the country and are in alignment with Malta’s 2050 Vision. 

Although Malta’s Citizenship by Investment program has ended, it is not the end of the opportunity to get long-term, indefinite residency in this European country. Malta still offers the fully operational Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP), which grants immediate permanent residence to eligible applicants. 

For the property rental route, the minimum investment is €169,000. This includes the €60,000 administrative fee, the €37,000 government contribution, the €2,000 philanthropic donation, and a five-year property lease with a minimum annual rent of €14,000. Alternatively, applicants can choose the property purchase route, which requires the purchase of a property worth at least €375,000. 

As part of our commitment to providing transparent and reliable services, we are proud to be a licensed agent in Malta, holding the official license number AKM-AGEN. This certification demonstrates our dedication to the highest standards in the investment migration industry and further enhances our ability to offer expert guidance and support to our clients.