To obtain a Malta passport, you must first become a Maltese citizen. A Maltese passport is considered one of the world’s strongest travel documents, ranking 25th on the Global Passport Index. It offers visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to many countries, including the US and the UK, and allows the holder to live, work, and travel freely within the EEA.
Whether you are already a Maltese citizen or planning to become one, this guide covers everything you need to know about getting a Malta passport, including its global mobility benefits, eligibility requirements, application steps, renewal process, and more.
Here’s what to expect:
How Powerful is a Maltese Passport?
In terms of the Malta passport power, Malta ranks 25th on the Global Citizen Solutions 2025 Global Passport Index, assessing mobility (i.e., travel benefits afforded to the holder), investment and business opportunities, and the country’s quality of life.
Malta Passport Rankings
Maltese passport holders have access to several countries worldwide:
- Visa-free countries – 119
- Passport-free countries – 9
- Visa on arrival countries – 10
- Countries that require an eVisa – 39
- Countries with Visa requirements – 16
Malta Passport Benefits
Malta passport holders enjoy a host of lifelong benefits, including:
- European citizenship and freedom of movement: A Malta passport grants EU citizenship, allowing you to live, work, study, and retire across all EU and Schengen countries. Simplified residence permits and expedited naturalization in countries like Italy benefit both professionals and entrepreneurs.
- Visa-free global travel: Malta passport holders can travel to 138 countries visa-free or visa-on-arrival, including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and the Schengen area. The Malta passport is one of the strongest in the world for travel freedom.
- Dual citizenship: Retain your original nationality while holding a Malta passport, giving your family access to multiple passports and international opportunities.
- High-quality education: With a Malta passport, you can study anywhere in the EU under local conditions, with access to top universities, scholarships, and student mobility programs.
- Top healthcare access: Malta passport holders benefit from Malta’s publicly funded healthcare system and the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which provides emergency medical coverage across the EU.
- Safe investments and business opportunities: Malta’s stable economy, strong legal system, and strategic location make it ideal for investors. Malta passport programs provide structured investment opportunities for global investors.
- Favorable tax regime: Malta passport holders enjoy no gift, wealth, or inheritance tax. Taxes apply mainly to Malta-sourced income, and Malta maintains double taxation treaties with over 70 countries.
- High quality of life: Enjoy political stability, low crime, Mediterranean climate, rich culture, and excellent healthcare with a Malta passport.
How to get a Maltese Passport
01/ By Descent (Ancestry)
You may qualify for a Malta passport if you have Maltese parents, grandparents, or earlier ancestors. Malta citizenship by descent does not require residence in Malta, but you must provide official birth records and documents proving a direct family link to a Maltese citizen.
02/ By Naturalization (Residency)
You can obtain a Malta passport through naturalization after legally residing in Malta for 5 out of the last 7 years, including 12 consecutive months immediately before applying. Applicants must demonstrate good character, stable income, and integration into Maltese society.
03/ By Investment (Malta Permanent Residency Programme – MPRP)
Malta does not currently offer direct citizenship by investment. However, investors can obtain long-term residency through the Malta Permanent Residency Programme (MPRP). While MPRP does not grant a Malta passport directly, it provides permanent residence, allowing holders to live in Malta and potentially qualify for citizenship later through long-term naturalization, subject to meeting residency and legal requirements.
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04/ By Marriage
Foreign nationals married to a Maltese citizen may apply for citizenship by marriage and qualify for a passport after after five years of marriage. Residency in Malta is not mandatory, but the marriage must be genuine and ongoing. In certain cases, eligibility remains even if the Maltese spouse passes away.
05/ By Merit (Malta Citizenship by Merit – CBM
The Malta Citizenship by Merit (CBM) program grants citizenship to those who make exceptional contributions in fields like science, arts, culture, sports, or philanthropy. It focuses on long-term impact and genuine ties rather than fixed investments. Applicants must complete residency, demonstrate connections to Malta, submit a merit proposal, and pass due diligence, contributing through approved projects, work, or donations over at least five years.
Maltese Passport Applications: Requirements and Documents
For Maltese citizens applying for a passport, the process requires a valid ID card, completed application forms, and passport photos. If applying from abroad, a recommender’s certification may be needed, and applicants must attend an in-person appointment at the Passport Office to provide biometric data.
First-time adult applicants (Maltese citizens)
Adults applying for their first Maltese passport must attend an in-person appointment to provide biometric data, including a live photo, fingerprints, and signature.
Required documents include:
- Passport Application Form A, with the required sections completed
- Original Maltese ID card, plus a copy
- Passport photographs (if applying from abroad, photos must be endorsed by a qualified recommender)
- Citizenship certificate, if Maltese citizenship was acquired by registration or naturalisation
If the application is submitted from outside Malta, a recommender is required. This must be a qualified Maltese, EU, or Commonwealth national, usually a degree holder, who has known the applicant for at least two years.
Passport applications for minors (Maltese citizens)
For children, the application must be supported by parental or legal guardian consent, provided through signed forms.
Requirements typically include:
- Passport photos (the number depends on the child’s age)
- The child’s Maltese ID card if aged 14 or over, or the parents’ ID cards for younger children
- Biometric data is collected for children aged 12 and above
Collecting your passport
Once you’re notified that your passport is ready, you’ll visit the Passport Office to collect it. You’ll be asked to show your ID and confirm your fingerprints before receiving the document.
Your Maltese passport is then issued, with a validity of 10 years.
Maltese Passport Processing Time
The Malta passport processing time is usually very fast, with most passports issued within four working days. If you need it urgently, you can request express processing by paying a €140 expedited fee, which allows the passport to be issued in as little as four hours.
However, any mistakes or missing details in the application can slow things down. The Passport Office will ask you to correct the issues, which extends the timeline. If a required document is missing, the process is put on hold until everything is submitted correctly.
How much does a Malta passport cost?
| Applicant age | Standard processing (Sept–March) | Standard processing (April–Aug) | Urgent processing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 years and over | €70 | €80 | €160 |
| 10–15 years | €40 | €40 | €80 |
| Under 10 years | €16 | €16 | €60 |
Note: Malta passport fees vary by season, with higher standard fees applying between April and August due to increased demand. Urgent passport applications are processed faster but cost more. Processing times and fees may change, so applicants should confirm current charges at the Malta Passport Office or a Maltese mission abroad before applying.
Dual Citizenship in Malta
Malta permits dual citizenship, allowing you to hold a Maltese passport while keeping your original nationality. Under the Maltese Citizenship Act (Cap. 188), there is no requirement to renounce any existing citizenship when acquiring Maltese citizenship.
This means you and your family can enjoy the advantages of multiple citizenships at the same time, including greater travel freedom, access to European Union rights, and expanded professional and business opportunities across borders. Dual citizenship also provides a level of security and flexibility, allowing individuals to maintain connections with their home country while benefiting from Malta’s legal, financial, and lifestyle advantages.
Renewing a Maltese Passport
Maltese nationals aged 18 and above must renew their passport in person at a Passport Office or Maltese mission abroad. During the appointment, biometric data is captured, including your facial image, fingerprints, and signature. The renewed Malta passport is valid for 10 years. Applicants must collect the passport in person, presenting a valid ID, at which point fingerprints are verified again.
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.
