On June 30, 2025, Malta introduced new legislation to reform its citizenship by investment program, following the ruling by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) that found the scheme violated EU law. The Citizenship Amendment Bill, formally known as Motion Number 381, was presented by the Ministry for Home Affairs and aims to revise the Citizenship Act to comply with the court’s decision.

The ECJ ruled that Malta’s program breached EU principles by allowing individuals to obtain citizenship through financial contributions without requiring a genuine link to the country. The bill is currently in its first reading in Parliament, and the full details of the proposed changes have not yet been released.

Applicants of the Malta Exceptional Investor Naturalisation (MEIN) program, were required to make a three-part investment including making an exceptional investment of €600,000 or €750,000, depending on whether they choose a 36- or 12-month residency period. Renting a property for at least €16,000 per year or buy one worth at least €700,000 and keep it for five years without renting it out and make a €10,000 donation to an approved NGO.

To learn more about the Malta Citizenship by Investment Program

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Malta's Response and Stance on Granting Citizenship

In response to the landmark ruling by the ECJ, the Maltese government issued a statement affirming its respect for the court’s authority. The Deputy Prime Minister Ian Borg made it clear that the court’s decision is binding and requires all EU state members to comply with the outcome.

While the Maltese government respects the court’s ruling, they have not wavered in their position that granting citizenship is a matter of national authority as stated in the EU treaties. They have also assured that anyone who has already been granted citizenship through the program will not be affected.

Additionally, the Maltese government has continued to defend and been vocal about the benefits that the Malta Citizenship by Investment program has had on the country’s economy. The CBI program contributed less than 1 percent to Malta’s GDP, which brought in over €1.4 billion in revenue since launching in 2014. These funds have been used to support areas such as social housing, healthcare, cultural restoration, and other public services.

The ECJ ruling against the MEIN program shows that the EU is taking a stricter position on investment migration and citizenship rules as Cyprus already shut down its program for similar reasons.

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.