Explore our guide to everything you need to know about the Malta passport in 2025, including passport ranking, how to get one, and more
Are you considering obtaining a second passport? The Malta passport is one of the top-ranking EU passports, offering a world of opportunities for foreign investors and expats from across the globe.
In this article you will learn about:
- How to get a Maltese passport
- How to qualify for a Malta passport
- Options for obtaining a Malta passport
- The benefits of a Malta passport, and much more
Malta Passport Benefits
Malta passport holders enjoy a host of lifelong benefits, including:
European citizenship
Visa-free travel
High-quality schooling
Top-rated healthcare
Safe investments
Special tax concessions
1. European citizenship and freedom of movement
Acquiring Maltese citizenship means you acquire citizenship of the European Union. This provides several benefits to Maltese citizens, which include ease of business across multiple countries and enhanced consumer protection.
Maltese citizenship grants you the privilege to travel, reside, work, and pursue studies across the entire European Union. Maltese citizens can quickly obtain a valid residence card for any EU country and possess the right to expedited naturalization in EU countries like Italy.
2. Visa-free travel
Besides freedom of movement throughout the European Union, Maltese passport holders can travel visa-free to 188 countries worldwide, including the US, Canada, and the UK.
3. High-quality schooling
EU citizens and their family members can study in any EU member state under the same conditions as local students. This allows Maltese citizens to pursue educational opportunities in Europe’s top universities and institutions. Additional sponsorship and funding programs accessible to EU citizens are also available, opening a world of opportunity for students.
4. Top-rated healthcare
The highly rated Maltese healthcare system is free for all citizens in Malta. Maltese passport holders can also obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) available to EU citizens, which allows them to seek free emergency medical care in all EU countries.
5. Safe investments
With a stable economy and political neutrality, Malta offers a secure and reliable investment environment, with options like the Malta citizenship by investment program becoming increasingly popular. The Maltese government enforces a robust legal framework that further reinforces investor protection and stability.
6. Special tax concessions
One of the main benefits of the Malta passports for those looking to invest is Malta’s favorable tax system. This includes no gift, wealth, or inheritance tax.
Maltese nationals only pay tax on Malta-sourced income, and capital gains arising from outside Malta are also tax-free. Malta also offers several double taxation treaties, with over 70 countries, eliminating unfavorable tax risks.
Maltese Passport Power
In terms of the Malta passport power, Malta ranks 25th on the Global Citizen Solutions 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 How to get a Maltese Passport
1. Citizenship by Naturalization
You can apply for Maltese citizenship after living in Malta legally and continuously for at least 5 years, with the final 12 months immediately before your application spent in Malta without long absences. To qualify, you must show good character, stable income, and integration into Maltese society. This route is most common for long-term residents, workers, and families who have made Malta their permanent home.
2. Citizenship by Descent (Ancestry)
If you have Maltese parents, grandparents, or sometimes even earlier ancestors, you may be eligible for citizenship by descent. Malta has generous ancestry rules, allowing many people with Maltese heritage to claim citizenship even if they were born abroad and never lived in Malta. You must provide birth certificates, family documents, and proof linking you directly to your Maltese ancestor.
3. Citizenship by Marriage
A foreign spouse can apply for Maltese citizenship after five years of marriage to a Maltese citizen. You do not need to live in Malta to qualify, but you must show that the marriage is genuine, ongoing, and stable. If the Maltese spouse passed away, the foreign spouse may still qualify if the marriage lasted at least five years before their partner’s death. This route does not require investment or long-term residence.
4. Investment route
Malta previously offered a Malta citizenship-by-investment program, but the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled against this route, and it is no longer a way to directly obtain Maltese citizenship. However, investors can still secure lifelong residency in Malta through the Malta Permanent Residency Program (MPRP). Although this residency does not directly lead to a Malta passport, it allows individuals to live long-term in Malta if they meet the program’s investment and due-diligence requirements.
Malta Passport Application Requirements
A Malta passport application is assessed and ultimately approved by the federal government agency, Identity Malta. Among the specific requirements, applicants must prove that they have established honest links with Malta and must take the Oath of Allegiance to get citizenship and a Maltese passport.
The application process includes the following:
- A completed Maltese passport application form submitted to the Passport Office
- Facial image, signature, and fingerprint biometric data submitted to the Passport Office
- Two passport-size photos
Since 2008, the Maltese Passport Office has issued biometric passports in Malta in compliance with international standards and directives. These documents contain facial imagery, signature, and fingerprint biometrics held securely in a chip embedded in the passport.
Malta Passport Price
Contrary to popular belief, Malta doesn’t offer a ‘passport for sale’ program. However, it’s possible to get citizenship by making an economic contribution to the country’s national development.
The qualifying investment for the Malta Citizenship by Naturalization for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment program (CES) is a series of three separate investments. Here is a breakdown of Malta passport costs:
- Investment: €600,000-€750,000
- Donation: €10,000
- Property investment: €700,000 (purchase) or €16,000 (yearly lease for minimum 5 years)
If you are already a Malta citizen, a passport costs between €16-€80, depending on the age of the applicant.
Dual Citizenship in Malta
Malta accepts dual citizenship. This means that you can acquire Maltese nationality and maintain your original citizenship.
However, it’s essential to check the laws of your home country to confirm whether dual citizenship rights apply in your case. If you can’t hold dual citizenship status in your native country, you might have to renounce your primary citizenship to obtain citizenship in Malta.
There is another option if you don’t wish to renounce citizenship of your home country. The Malta Permanent Residency by Investment Visa allows you and your family to reside indefinitely in Malta without becoming citizens.
Renewing a Maltese Passport
After obtaining your Maltese passport, you can renew it every ten years. It’s worth noting that Maltese passports incorporate biometric features that you will update when renewing your Maltese passport.
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.
