A Malta Citizenship by Investment (CBI) lawyer specializes in helping applicants obtain citizenship through the Malta Citizenship by Naturalization for Exceptional Services (CES) program. They guide you through legal requirements, including real estate investment, government contributions, and donations.
However, the program was ended after the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled against it, stating that granting citizenship in exchange for investment, without a genuine connection to the country, violated EU principles.
Even after the program’s closure, immigration lawyers still play an important role in guiding clients toward other citizenship and residency routes. Citizenship lawyers can help those with Maltese ancestry gain citizenship by descent, the upcoming Citizenship by Merit route that will recognize personal or professional contributions to Malta, and various residency programs such as the Malta Permanent Residence Program (MPRP).
This article explains why a Malta citizenship lawyer is important and how they help with various citizenship routes, guide you through due diligence, and manage your application. This is what to expect:
In response, on 16 July 2025, Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri announced a draft law introducing a Malta citizenship by merit route for individuals who make exceptional contributions to Malta or humanity in areas like science, innovation, arts, culture, entrepreneurship, and other areas that align with Malta’s Vision 2050 strategy. The law is still in draft form, and details on future applications for the merit-based program have not yet been confirmed.
7 Reasons to Work with a Malta Citizenship by Investment Lawyer
01/ Understanding the process
After the ECJ ruling, the Malta Citizenship by Investment program has changed to a Malta Citizenship by Merit program, which will be a new system based on exceptional services instead of financial contributions. As it transitions, a lawyer can help you meet the legal requirements, understand the new rules, and keep up with future updates to obtain Maltese citizenship. This process will also be easier working with an immigration lawyer through a trusted agency like Global Citizen Solutions.
02/ Choosing the right property
The Malta Citizenship by Investment Program had a property investment program. However, as the program has ended, working with a Malta Golden Visa lawyer will still be useful, as it also has a real estate investment option. Therefore, a lawyer ensures the property you choose meets investment requirements and is free of legal issues.
03/ Protecting your interests
When you’re ready to buy, the lawyer will review and draft the contract to make sure it protects you. This includes things like payment plans and conditions in case issues arise. They ensure the contract has clauses to protect you if something goes wrong before the sale is complete.
04/ Handling legal documents and applications
Specialized citizenship lawyers help you gather and submit all the necessary documents, like background checks and proof of property investment, to Malta’s authorities. They act as a link between you and the Community Malta Agency to ensure your application is processed smoothly.
05/ Background checks
Malta conducts strict background checks on applicants. The lawyer helps you prepare the right documents and ensures your application passes without delays. They help you make sure that your financial and personal information is in order, avoiding issues during the vetting process.
06/ Tax and financial advice
The lawyer explains how obtaining citizenship, residency, and buying property in Malta affects your tax situation, both in Malta and in your home country. They also help you manage your financial obligations and suggest ways to minimize your tax burden.
07/ Post-approval support
After approval of any citizenship or residency route, the lawyer will assist you in finalizing the process, including obtaining your Malta passport and attending the citizenship ceremony. They continue to advise you on issues like property taxes and rental income even after you get your citizenship.
Step-by-Step Legal Assistance When Working with a Malta Immigration Expert
A Malta immigration lawyer guides clients through all legal steps for Malta citizenship applications and residency, whether the route is Malta citizenship by merit, Malta citizenship by descent, or residency programs. Below is an overview of the legal assistance you can expect.
- Initial consultation and route assessment: The lawyer reviews your personal, family, and financial situation, explains available routes such as descent, residency programs, merit-based citizenship, or past CBI frameworks, and recommends the best legal strategy.
- Document checklist and collection support: They provide a tailored document list, explain requirements such as birth certificates, police checks, proof of funds, and property deeds, and advise on obtaining, certifying, translating, and apostilling paperwork.
- Due diligence and compliance preparation: The lawyer runs pre-checks on the source of funds, criminal record issues, and any regulatory risks, and helps structure investments or financial documentation to meet Maltese government and EU standards.
- Application drafting and submission: They prepare and review all application forms, supporting statements, and legal declarations, then submit the application to the relevant Maltese authority or agency on your behalf.
- Liaison with Maltese authorities and follow-up: The lawyer communicates with the Malta Residency Agency, Identity Malta, or other bodies, responds to queries, furnishes additional documents, and tracks progress until a decision is made.
- Post-approval steps and settling in: After approval, they assist with signing agreements, transferring funds if needed, registering property or leases, obtaining residence cards, and enrolling you in local systems such as tax, health, and municipal services.
Estimated Costs for a Malta Citizenship by Investment Lawyer
These costs are estimates and can differ based on the complexity of the application and the lawyer’s fees. However, this is an average overview of the services that must be paid for.
| Service | Estimated Cost | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Consultation | €200 – €500 | A one-time fee for discussing eligibility and outlining the process. |
| Full Application Support (Legal Fees) | €15,000 – €30,000 | Covers legal assistance with document preparation, submission, and compliance. |
| Due Diligence Fees | €5,000 – €10,000 | Fees for handling due diligence checks, including background and source of funds verification. |
| Property Legal Advice | €1,500 – €3,000 | Fees for assistance with property transactions (if applicable), such as contract review and title checks. |
| Ongoing Legal Support and Updates | €2,000 – €5,000 annually | Continued legal support during the application process and after approval. |
| Government Fees & Miscellaneous Costs | Variable | Includes costs like application fees, stamp duty, and notary fees. |
Other Programs a Malta Immigration Lawyer Can Help With
With recent changes following the ECJ ruling on Malta’s Citizenship by Investment Programme, a Malta immigration lawyer can guide you through other valuable residency options that still offer significant advantages. These include access to Malta’s stable political climate, the favorable Maltese tax system, and over 70 double taxation agreements that support international investors and retirees.
Below are programs a Malta immigration lawyer can help you navigate:
Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP): The Malta Residency by Investment program allows non-EU nationals to obtain Maltese residency through property rental minimum €14,000 annually or purchase €375,000+, a government contribution of €37,000, a €2,000 donation to a local NGO, health insurance, and a clean criminal record, with legal support available for eligibility checks, document preparation, application filing, and due diligence.
Malta Digital Nomad Visa: The Malta Digital Nomad Visa is designed for remote workers employed by non-Maltese companies or those who own a foreign business, requiring a minimum annual income of €42,000, health insurance, a valid passport, and proof of accommodation, with legal assistance helpful for verifying income, translating documents, reviewing rental agreements, and communicating with the Residency Malta Agency.
Malta Global Residence Programme (GRP): The Malta Global Residence Program offers residency to non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals who rent €8,750–€9,600/year or buy €220,000–€275,000+ property in Malta, with a 15% flat tax rate on foreign income remitted to the country, and lawyers can help with tax planning, property compliance, and registering with Malta’s Inland Revenue Department.
What Happy GCS Clients Have to Say
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.
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.
