Guide to Malta Passport Index

Updated: June 21, 2022

According to Global Citizen Solutions Global Passport Index, the Malta passport ranking comes in 38th position, with 170 visa-free and partially-visa countries, and 28 visa-required countries. With sufficient mobility, investment, and quality of life score, the Maltese passport is one of the most sought global passports in the world. In this guide to Malta passport index, we’ll focus on various prospects that a Maltese passport may provide.

Maltese passport holders are allowed visa-free and visa-on-arrival entry to such countries as Japan, Brazil, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union. It all adds up to near immediate global travel opportunities for Maltese citizens. They do, however, need a visa to access roughly 31 countries throughout the world, such as China, Côte d`Ivoire, and Nigeria.

On the contrary, if you are not a Maltese citizen and just wish to visit Malta, check the Malta visa requirements before visiting this country. Read here for more information.

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Maltese passport ranking

Malta is a part of the European Union, and it is no secret that many people dream about being a citizen of a EU country, given the array of benefits for EU citizens. Why the EU? Well, having a passport from its members allows visa-free travel access to most of the countries, a high quality of life, easy business conducting, and big investment prospects. If you want to tap into some of these advantages, you may want to consider immigration to Malta. Get a Malta passport by investment to make the process faster. Also, look for the Malta passport price before applying, and do not forget to meet the Malta passport requirements. You can read here to know more about Malta’s citizenship investment programs.

Malta passport ranking, in relation to other worldwide passports, is derived by adding the number of countries that allow Malta passport holders to enter visa-free and the countries that enable Malta passport holders to enter with a visa on arrival or with electronic travel permission (eTA). The Global Citizen Solutions Global Passport Index also considered aspects such as ease of conducting business, quality of living, and direct investment prospects to assess how appealing a Maltese passport is. 

The passport of Malta is the 38th most powerful in the world, ranking alongside San Marino and Hong Kong. The fact is that people who want to uproot their life and get a second passport don’t only look at the passport’s travel options, but also investment opportunities and quality of life. With that said, how does a Maltese passport rate in terms of travel, relocation, and investment possibilities?

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To give you a sense of our scoring approach, we divided our index into three independent indices, each with its own ranking. The collation of the three provides the overall ranking.

  • The Enhanced Mobility Index 

A passport is a simple book that gives you the opportunity to travel the world. Maltese passport holders will be relieved to learn that their passports are travel-friendly, ranking 31st in the world for visa-free travel advantages. This category is worth 50% of the score and is determined by the destination’s travel advantage for each passport holder, taking into account the amount of “tourist attractions” concerning the target country’s standard of living. Maltese people are very fortunate because they face low visa requirements in dozens of countries.

Maltese passport holders can brag about the possibility to travel visa-free or partially free to 170 countries throughout the world. The number of destinations includes all EU member states, the United Arab Emirates, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia,  South Korea, Canada, Taiwan, and Qatar. If you need to enter and remain in the United States, you are free to remain in the country for up to 90 days with an immigration permit known as the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).

  • The Investment Index 

Worth 25% of the overall score, this category is mostly defined by a country’s economic strength. It displays how investor and business-friendly the location is for passport holders.

There are several benefits to investing in Malta. This includes, but is not limited to, EU membership, committed and educated employees, a robust financial services industry, dependable credit ratings, and prominence in knowledge-based businesses. In addition to this, the current per capita GNP in Malta is $43.970, and the personal tax rate is 35%.

Malta has a very attractive economic climate. This, together with its favorable relations with neighboring nations in Europe, North Africa, and beyond, makes Malta a great place for doing business. As a corporate excellence hub, Malta is famous for attracting high-net-worth people and overseas investors.

The Maltese government also launched a Business Promotion Action. The Act has been in effect since 2001, primarily to attract foreigners to establish a business in Malta, and it provides incentives for businesses that indicate development and job potential. Furthermore, there are tax breaks available to businesses that engage in particular manufacturing and qualifying activities. This makes Malta a great location for doing business.

  • The Quality of Life Index 

Worth another 25% of the score, this category is related to the quality of life and it includes healthcare, education, and personal safety rates.

Maltese passport holders have a high standard of living. Citizens are provided with a high level of security, political liberty, and the country performs well in terms of the happiness level of its citizens. Malta is known for being an ecologically friendly and sustainable country. On the contrary, the cost of living in Malta is quite expensive. This is frequently the cost of living a happy life. Wages are still good, and the economy is performing well. This means that Maltese nationals are more likely to be able to earn enough money to support themselves here.

Malta is a small island country in the Mediterranean, and it undoubtedly has something for everyone. Maltese residents enjoy a pleasant environment, from the bustling and energetic capital city of Valletta to the tranquil lifestyle on the island of Gozo. Maltese residents love the warm and pleasant weather here. This European country is also full of fantastic restaurants, historical buildings, a thriving cultural scene, and other attractions.

Visa-free access for Malta passport holders

The Maltese passport allows visiting 170 countries with full visa-free or partly free access. As a citizen of Malta, get a Malta passport visa-free to Canada, the UK, the US, Singapore, and other popular destinations. Take a look at our Malta passport visa-free countries list and pick the country you’ll visit first after getting your Malta passport personal freedoms package.

More about Malta

Here are some general facts about Malta.

Administrative

The total population of Malta is around 514,564 people, and the country’s capital is Valletta. Important cities are Zabbar and Zebbug, the most populated city is Birkirkara, with a population of approximately 22,000 people.

Malta’s busiest airport is Malta International Airport (MLA), with 7.3 million passengers per year. MLA airport connects to the majority of European destinations, benefiting the country’s tremendous tourism sector.

Geographical

The island republic of Malta is divided into five districts and the country has been a member of the European Union since 2004 and the Schengen Area since 2007. Malta is located in Southern Europe, in the Mediterranean Sea, with Italy being the nearest nation to the north. Malta is one of the smallest countries in the European Union, with a land area of just 316 square kilometers. It has a Mediterranean climate with warm wet winters and dry summers. Its topography is characterized by low terrain with coastal cliffs.

Cultural and governmental

Malta is a parliamentary republic. President George Vella serves as head of state, while Prime Minister Robert Abela serves as head of government. The legal system is a hybrid of English common law and civil law. 

Maltese culture is impacted by a combination of historic and colonial events that shaped the land and the people who live there. Maltese and English are the national languages in Malta, and the majority of people follow the Roman Catholic religion.  

Economical

The country has a modest but affluent economy, with a GDP of around $22.8 billion. Over the last few years, the GDP has grown at a consistent rate of around 4%, putting it in a high position in the EU. The average Maltese citizen’s income is $48,246 per year. The country’s official currency is the euro.  

Cultural and touristic

With three UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Malta is well-known for its cultural past and rich history. It is brimming with urban and historic tourism spots and attractions with sightseeing, hiking, beachgoing, and watersports being popular visitor activities. The capital, Valletta, the island of Gozo, Rabat, the Tarxien Temples, and the Blue Lagoon are all popular tourist sites.

Tourism contributes significantly to the country’s revenue, both through air travel and through cruise ships. About 2.7 million visitors visit the country every year, with the majority coming from European countries.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many countries can I travel to with a Malta passport?

According to the Global Citizen Solutions Global Passport Index, the Maltese passport has visa-free or partially free access to 170 countries. Therefore, you can travel to most major world destinations freely, such as all EU countries, the US, the UK, Hong Kong, Japan, and Singapore.

Do I qualify for a Maltese passport?

You can become a Maltese citizen through descent if you were born outside Malta but your family lives in Malta. Other ways are by marrying a Maltese citizen, naturalization, or through one of the country’s investment schemes.

How much do I need to invest in Malta citizenship?

You can apply for a Malta passport by investment with the help of the Citizenship for Exceptional Services Regulations (CES) program, where the minimum amount is €600,000 if you have completed 36 months of residency in Malta, or €750,000 if you have resided in the country for 12 months. Note that you must be at least 18 years old for this.

 

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