Malta citizenship by descent is a way to claim citizenship in Malta through your family roots and history. If you have a parent, grandparent, or sometimes a great-grandparent born in Malta. You can also be eligible without needing to live there. To qualify, you need to prove a clear and direct family line by showing two generations born in Malta with official documents. There are a few special cases that depend on certain dates and require the ancestor to register their citizenship.
In this article, we’ll provide a comprehensive guide for anyone interested in applying for Maltese citizenship by descent, from the eligibility requirements, the application process, to the costs.
Malta Citizenship by Descent Key Takeaways
What is Malta Citizenship by Descent?
Malta citizenship by descent, also known as citizenship by registration, allows people with Maltese ancestry to get an EU passport without needing to live in Malta or pass a language test. To qualify, you must prove a direct family link to Malta through a parent or grandparent who was born in Malta to a Maltese-born parent, to create a clear line of descent.
If your parent or grandparent was alive on August 1, 2007, they need to also apply for Maltese citizenship to keep the chain of eligibility active. If they do not apply, the right to claim citizenship by descent can be lost after August 1, 2028.
Benefits of Getting Maltese Citizenship through Descent
- Live anywhere in Europe: You can live, work, and study in all EU countries and places like Norway and Switzerland without a visa.
- Lower education costs: As a Maltese citizen, you and your children can pay local tuition fees, which are much cheaper, at European universities, sometimes even free.
- Access to healthcare: Citizens can use public healthcare across Europe with a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).
- Strong passport: You gain a Maltese passport, which is one of the best in the world and ranks 25th on the Global Passport Index by Global Citizen Solutions, with visa-free and visa-on-arrival access to 180 countries.
- Consular protection abroad: If Malta does not have an embassy or consulate in a country, you can receive help and protection from any other EU country’s embassy, just like one of their own citizens.
- No tax if you don’t live in Malta: If you hold Maltese citizenship but do not live in Malta, you are not taxed on your foreign income or assets and qualify for tax incentives like the Malta Global Residence Program.
- No inheritance or wealth tax: Malta does not charge taxes on inheritance, estates, or overall wealth, which can make long-term financial and family planning more efficient.
- Dual citizenship allowed: Malta allows dual or multiple citizenship, so you can keep your current nationality while enjoying the full benefits of a Maltese passport.
Who can apply for Malta citizenship by descent?
Under the Maltese Citizenship Act (Chapter 188), you can apply for Malta citizenship by descent if you fall into one of these categories:
- Direct descendants (2-generation rule): You can apply if you were born outside Malta and can prove a direct family link to a Maltese-born ancestor, where both the ancestor and their parent were born in Malta. This includes children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
- Children of Maltese citizens: You qualify if you were born outside of Malta and at least one of your parents was a Maltese citizen at the time of your birth.
- Special historical cases: Some people can qualify based on older rules. This includes those born before September 21, 1964, with a Maltese father and grandfather, or those born to a Maltese mother who could not pass on citizenship under previous laws.
Maltese Citizenship by Descent Requirements
To qualify for Malta citizenship by descent, you must meet these key requirements:
- You have a direct Maltese ancestor. Your parent, grandparent, or earlier ancestor was born in Malta and that ancestor was also born to a Maltese-born parent
- Your family line is not broken
- Citizenship must be transferable. If your parent got citizenship through registration, they cannot pass it on to children born abroad
- You must have a clean criminal record
- If you were born before 1 August 1989 and your claim is through a Maltese mother, special rules may apply, and you may need to apply under a different process.
Required Documents for Maltese Citizenship by Descent
- Completed application form (Form D for adults, Form M for minors)
- Valid passport, ID card, or residence card (original + copy)
- One recent passport-sized photo (attached to the form)
- Police clearance certificate (may be required depending on your country)
- Your official and full birth certificate and marriage certificate (if applicable)
- Your parents’ full birth certificates and marriage certificate
- Your grandparents’ full birth certificates and marriage certificates
- Qualifying Maltese ancestors’ birth certificates and the birth certificates of their parents.
How to Apply for Malta Citizenship by Descent: Full Application Process
- Document collection: You must collect full birth and marriage certificates for yourself and every ancestor in your direct family line. These documents need to clearly show your connection to your Maltese-born ancestor and prove your eligibility.
- Initial review: Submit your documents to the Community Malta Agency or a Maltese embassy or consulate. The authorities will review your documents to confirm that your ancestry is correct and that your family line remains unbroken.
- Form submission: Once your documents are approved, you will need to complete the official application. Adults need to sign Form D, while applications for minors require Form M.
- Oath of Allegiance: If your application is successful, you must take an Oath of Allegiance to Malta. This can be done either in Malta at the Agency or at a Maltese embassy or consulate abroad.
- Registration and passport: After the oath, you receive a Certificate of Citizenship. You can then apply for a Maltese passport and ID card.
Costs and Processing Time for Maltese Citizenship by Descent
Most Malta citizenship by descent applications are processed within 3 to 9 months, but more complicated cases involving multiple generations or missing documents can take up to 12 months.
| Fee Item | Cost (per applicant) |
|---|---|
| Main Application Fee (Form D) | €150 |
| Certificate of Citizenship | €50 |
| Oath of Allegiance | €10 |
| Affidavit / Declaration | €10 (if required) |
| Re-registration Fee | €15 – €25 (if applicable) |
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How Can Global Citizen Solutions Help You?
Global Citizen Solutions is a boutique migration consultancy firm with years of experience delivering bespoke residence and citizenship by investment solutions for international families. With offices worldwide and an experienced, hands-on team, we have helped hundreds of clients worldwide acquire citizenship, residence visas, or homes while diversifying their portfolios with robust investments.
We guide you from start to finish, taking you beyond your citizenship or residency by investment application.
