The beautiful island of Malta seems to have it all. Pristine beaches, stunning locations, and some of the friendliest, most welcoming people to boot. As an EU member state since 2004, the country’s economy has benefited from tourism over the years, providing countless foreigners an ideal spot to soak up some sunshine, enjoy the rich history and the wonderful gastronomy on offer. In Global Citizen Solutions pioneering Global Passport Index, the archipelago ranks as having the 34th strongest passport in the world, particularly performing well in the Enhanced Mobility Ranking and the Quality of Life Index. Let’s take a look at what this score means for expats seeking enhanced freedoms in a new country, focusing on Malta in the Global Passport Index.

 

Malta Passport Ranking 2024

From increased mobility and keeping your financial assets safe to seeking the best investment opportunities, there are several reasons to pursue second citizenship. Therefore, how does Malta fare in terms of mobility, business and investment opportunities, and quality of life?

Our Global Passport Ranking 2024 is divided into three standalone indexes: Enhanced Mobility Index, Investment Index, and Quality of Life Index. Malta’s passport ranking for each is shown. 

The Enhanced Mobility Index holds the most weight (50 percent) and is based on the number of countries that the passport holder has access to, alongside the level of “attractiveness” of the country,  measured in terms of quality of life standards.

Enhanced Mobility Index Ranking for Malta: 28th

The Investment Index is responsible for 25 percent of the overall calculation and is based on the country’s economic strength, focused on investment opportunities and ease of doing business.

Investment Index Ranking  for Malta: 66th

The Quality of Life Index is worth 25 percent of the overall calculation. Six components related to the quality of life are covered under this index – sustainable development, cost of living, level of happiness, environmental performance, freedom, and migrant acceptance.

Quality of Life Index Ranking  for Malta: 25th

For more information, see Malta’s country profile here.

 

Malta Global Passport Index increased mobilityMalta Global Passport Index: Enhanced Mobility

Malta is a melting pot of influences that have been brought to the island over the centuries, with many rulers coming and going over the centuries, including the Phoenicians, Romans, and Arabs, each leaving their stamp on the make-up of Malta. In modern-day Malta, there are many advantages to holding a Maltese passport, not least because Malta is an EU-member state. If you have a Maltese passport, then you have increased mobility with the right to live, work, and study in any of the 27 nations in the EU for yourself and your family.

In addition, a Maltese passport also provides visa-free access to 172 countries, increasing your personal freedoms and global opportunities. 

 

Malta Global Passport Index: Investment and Business Opportunities

Although Malta ranks 66th in our Investment Index, there are several opportunities open to investors. For knowledge-based sectors and high-end manufacturing, the country is an excellent place to put your money.

Malta attracts many foreign investors because the country has a very stable socio-economic and political system in place, generally with good growth rates and certain attractive investment opportunities. Malta has an impressive port, making it a very good logistical hub. This, alongside EU membership, has made it a great gateway to the Euro-Mediterranean region and even further afield.

Malta’s Gross National Income (GNI) per capita is $44.550, with progressive personal tax rates that range from 0-35 percent. Malta does well in business dynamism and the financial system but performs less well in market size and innovation capability. The top business opportunities in Malta are IT and electronics, financial services, pharmaceuticals, oil and gas, maritime, and training and education. 

 

Malta Global Passport IndexMalta Global Passport Index: quality of life

Malta, in general, has a very good quality of life. When looking into sustainable development, environmental performance, freedom levels, and the level of happiness of citizens, Malta scored as being “very high.” However, when it comes to living costs, Malta ranks very high, although compared to other European countries, the costs in some areas are more affordable. The country also ranked as “low” for migrant acceptance. 

Looking into the vibrant culture, 300 days of sunny weather, plus the country’s recent focus on environmental issues and embracing the Sustainable Development Goals, makes Malta a good place to live. Indeed, Malta’s Sustainable Development Vision for 2050 is ambitious, focusing on identifying opportunities where the country can do better and where further development is required, setting out realistic goals to address key challenges.

How to get citizenship in Malta

Global Citizen Solutions offers both a citizenship-by-investment program and a residency-by-investment program for Malta, which are outlined below.  

We offer a service tailored to your specific needs. Our team of experts is ready to help you with your application, working diligently from start to finish to ensure a successful application. 

 

Malta Citizenship by InvestmentQualified partner to ensure your success

Launched at the end of 2020, the Malta Citizenship by Naturalization for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment (CES), otherwise known as the Maltese Citizenship Act Granting of Citizenship for Exceptional Services Regulations, is an excellent option for investors. To qualify, you will need to make a three-part investment (a government contribution AND a real estate investment AND a philanthropic donation). 

Alongside increased visa-free access, freedom of movement within the EU, and passports for the whole family, the turnaround to obtain citizenship is very fast — it’s possible to obtain residence within 12-36 months. This is in addition to living in a stable and secure country with tax benefits for new citizens. 

Read our full guide to Malta citizenship by investment. 

 

Malta Residency by Investment

The Malta Permanent Residence Program (MPRP) enables applicants to obtain a Certificate of Maltese Residency, whereby they can reside in Malta with family members indefinitely. To apply, three qualifying investments are needed (a government contribution AND real estate AND a philanthropic donation). Benefits to residence include the benefits of visa-free travel to the Schengen region, quality healthcare, and a very good education system, where there are good international links to Europe, Africa, and Asia. 

Read our full guide to Malta residency-by-investment. 

 

The benefits of a second citizenship

Securing citizenship by investment is becoming very popular in today’s interconnected world. Many countries now provide such programs, where you can gain citizenship by making a qualifying investment into the country’s economy. It’s regarded as a win-win solution, given that both the host country benefits from foreign direct investment and you, in turn, secure enhanced financial and personal freedoms for yourself and your family. 

Global Citizen Solutions is a boutique global citizenship and residence advisory firm, providing citizenship and residency solutions to international clients. Contact us today to begin your journey to obtain global citizenship. 

Some of the countries that we currently offer citizenship or residency by investment are the following: