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 172 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 34th 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 ranking vs other countries
Let’s take a look how the Malta passport compares to other countries:
Index | Malta | USA | UK | Italy | Spain | Germany |
Global Passport Index Ranking | 34th | 2nd | 7th | 26th | 21st | 1st |
Enhanced Mobility Index | 28th | 17th | 26th | 8th | 4th | 3rd |
Investment Index | 66th | 3rd | 18th | 49th | 53rd | 11th |
Quality of Life Index | 25th | 39th | 4th | 23rd | 9th | 5th |
Free Access Countries | €38,00 | 4 | 7 | 37 | 37 | 37 |
Global Visa Requirements for Maltese Passport Holders
As a Maltese citizen, you can visit countries on every continent visa-free, with a visa-on-arrival, or with an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization).
Let’s take a closer look at the countries accessible to Maltese citizens.
| Country | Malta |
|---|---|
 Albania | visa free (90 days) |
 Algeria | visa required |
 Andorra | visa free |
 Angola | visa free (30 days) |
 Antigua and Barbuda | visa free (180 days) |
 Argentina | visa free (90 days) |
 Armenia | visa free (180 days) |
 Australia | e-visa |
 Austria | visa free |
 Azerbaijan | e-visa |
 Bahamas | visa free (90 days) |
 Bahrain | visa on arrival |
 Bangladesh | visa on arrival |
 Barbados | visa free (90 days) |
 Belarus | visa free (30 days) |
 Belgium | visa free |
 Belize | visa free |
 Benin | e-visa |
 Bhutan | e-visa |
 Bolivia | visa on arrival |
 Bosnia and Herzegovina | visa free (90 days) |
 Botswana | visa free (90 days) |
 Brazil | visa free (90 days) |
 Brunei | visa free (90 days) |
 Bulgaria | visa free |
 Burkina Faso | visa on arrival |
 Burundi | visa on arrival |
 Cambodia | visa on arrival |
 Cameroon | e-visa |
 Canada | e-visa |
 Cabo Verde | visa free (30 days) |
 Central African Republic | visa required |
 Chad | visa required |
 Chile | visa free (90 days) |
 China | visa required |
 Colombia | visa free (90 days) |
 Comoros | visa on arrival |
 Congo | visa required |
 DR Congo | e-visa |
 Costa Rica | visa free (90 days) |
 Ivory Coast | e-visa |
 Croatia | visa free |
 Cuba | visa required |
 Cyprus | visa free |
 Czech Republic | visa free |
 Denmark | visa free |
 Djibouti | e-visa |
 Dominica | visa free (180 days) |
 Dominican Republic | visa free |
 Ecuador | visa free (90 days) |
 Egypt | visa on arrival |
 El Salvador | visa free (90 days) |
 Equatorial Guinea | e-visa |
 Eritrea | visa required |
 Estonia | visa free |
 Swaziland | visa free (30 days) |
 Ethiopia | visa on arrival |
 Fiji | visa free (120 days) |
 Finland | visa free |
 France | visa free |
 Gabon | visa free (30 days) |
 Gambia | visa free (90 days) |
 Georgia | visa free (360 days) |
 Germany | visa free |
 Ghana | visa required |
 Greece | visa free |
 Grenada | visa free (90 days) |
 Guatemala | visa free (90 days) |
 Guinea | e-visa |
 Guinea-Bissau | visa on arrival |
 Guyana | visa required |
 Haiti | visa free (90 days) |
 Honduras | visa free (90 days) |
 Hong Kong | visa free (90 days) |
 Hungary | visa free |
 Iceland | visa free |
 India | e-visa |
 Indonesia | visa on arrival |
 Iran | e-visa |
 Iraq | visa on arrival |
 Ireland | visa free |
 Israel | visa free (90 days) |
 Italy | visa free |
 Jamaica | visa free |
 Japan | visa free (90 days) |
 Jordan | visa on arrival |
 Kazakhstan | visa free (30 days) |
 Kenya | e-visa |
 Kiribati | visa required |
 Kosovo | visa free (90 days) |
 Kuwait | visa on arrival |
 Kyrgyzstan | visa free (60 days) |
 Lao | visa on arrival |
 Latvia | visa free |
 Lebanon | visa on arrival |
 Lesotho | visa required |
 Liberia | visa required |
 Libya | visa required |
 Liechtenstein | visa free |
 Lithuania | visa free |
 Luxembourg | visa free |
 Macao | visa free (90 days) |
 Madagascar | visa on arrival |
 Malawi | visa on arrival |
 Malaysia | visa free (90 days) |
 Maldives | visa on arrival |
 Mali | visa required |
 Marshall Islands | visa free (90 days) |
 Mauritania | visa on arrival |
 Mauritius | visa free (90 days) |
 Mexico | visa free (180 days) |
 Micronesia | visa free (90 days) |
 Moldova | visa free (90 days) |
 Monaco | visa free |
 Mongolia | visa free (30 days) |
 Montenegro | visa free (90 days) |
 Morocco | visa free (90 days) |
 Mozambique | visa on arrival |
 Myanmar | e-visa |
 Namibia | visa required |
 Nauru | visa required |
 Nepal | visa on arrival |
 Netherlands | visa free |
 New Zealand | e-visa |
 Nicaragua | visa free (90 days) |
 Niger | visa required |
| Nigeria | e-visa |
 North Korea | visa required |
 North Macedonia | visa free (90 days) |
 Norway | visa free |
 Oman | visa on arrival |
 Pakistan | e-visa |
 Palau | visa free (90 days) |
 Palestine | visa free |
 Panama | visa free (90 days) |
 Papua New Guinea | e-visa |
 Paraguay | visa free (90 days) |
 Peru | visa free (90 days) |
 Philippines | visa free (30 days) |
 Poland | visa free |
 Portugal | visa free |
 Qatar | visa on arrival |
 Romania | visa free |
 Russia | e-visa |
 Rwanda | visa on arrival |
 Saint Kitts and Nevis | visa free (90 days) |
 Saint Lucia | visa free (90 days) |
 Samoa | visa free (90 days) |
 San Marino | visa free |
 Sao Tome and Principe | visa free (15 days) |
 Saudi Arabia | visa on arrival |
 Senegal | visa free (90 days) |
| Serbia | visa free (90 days) |
 Seychelles | visa free (90 days) |
 Sierra Leone | visa on arrival |
 Singapore | visa free (90 days) |
 Slovakia | visa free |
 Slovenia | visa free |
 Solomon Islands | visa free (90 days) |
 Somalia | visa on arrival |
 South Africa | visa free (90 days) |
 South Korea | e-visa |
 South Sudan | e-visa |
 Spain | visa free |
 Sri Lanka | e-visa |
 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | visa free (90 days) |
 Sudan | visa required |
 Suriname | visa required |
 Sweden | visa free |
 Switzerland | visa free |
 Syria | visa required |
 Taiwan | visa free (90 days) |
 Tajikistan | visa on arrival |
 Tanzania | visa free (90 days) |
 Thailand | visa on arrival |
 Timor-Leste | visa free (90 days) |
 Togo | visa on arrival |
 Tonga | visa free (90 days) |
 Trinidad and Tobago | visa free (90 days) |
 Tunisia | visa free (90 days) |
 Turkmenistan | visa required |
 Tuvalu | visa free (90 days) |
 Turkey | visa free (90 days) |
 Uganda | visa free (90 days) |
 Ukraine | visa free (90 days) |
 United Arab Emirates | visa free (90 days) |
 United Kingdom | visa free (180 days) |
 United States | e-visa |
 Uruguay | visa free (90 days) |
 Uzbekistan | visa free (30 days) |
 Vanuatu | visa free (90 days) |
 Vatican | visa free |
 Venezuela | visa free (90 days) |
 Vietnam | e-visa |
 Yemen | visa required |
 Zambia | visa free (90 days) |
 Zimbabwe | visa free (90 days) |
 Afghanistan | visa required |
How to Get a Maltese Passport
Compared to other EU countries, getting a Maltese passport is easy. However, the due diligence aspect can be challenging. If you meet the requirements, you can be granted citizenship and a passport after just 12 or 36 months of residence in Malta.
There are several ways to obtain Maltese citizenship, depending on your situation and objectives.
- You’re entitled to Maltese citizenship by descent if you have an ascendant in the direct line and a parent who is a Maltese national.
- You’re entitled to Maltese citizenship by marriage if you have a Maltese spouse and have lived in Malta for five years.
- You’re entitled to Maltese citizenship by naturalization if you have legally resided in Malta for at least four years starting from the previous seven years.
- You’re entitled to Malta citizenship by naturalization by way of investment after 12 months or three years of residing in Malta.
Malta Citizenship by Investment
Malta’s citizenship by investment program – more accurately referred to as the Maltese Citizenship Act Granting of Citizenship for Exceptional Services Regulations (CES) – is a Maltese citizenship program based on naturalization.
The CES provides qualifying investors with the opportunity to obtain passports for themselves and their family members, provided that they:
- Make a real estate investment.
- Make financial contributions to a Malta-registered organization approved by the Community Malta Agency (CMA).
- Make an exceptional investment in the Maltese economy.
Malta citizenship by investment is one of the most popular in Europe primarily because of the host of benefits it provides to investors, as well as the short timeframe within which you can get a new passport.
Maltese Passport Eligibility: CES Program
Applications for the Maltese citizenship scheme are carefully examined and evaluated through a four-tier due diligence process.
To gain eligibility for the Citizenship by Naturalization for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment (CES) program, you must:
- Be over 18 years of age
- Not be from a country on the list of “prohibited” countries
- Have a clean criminal record (the Malta Government conducts extensive criminal checks with INTERPOL, the International Criminal Court).
- Invest at least €600,000 (about $667,000) to receive citizenship status in 36 months or at least €750,000 ($834,000) to receive citizenship status in 12 months.
- Donate €10,000 ($11,000) to a Malta-registered organization approved by the Community Malta Agency (CMA).
- Either place €700,000 (about $778,000) in the purchase of a Maltese real estate property or rent one for at least €16,000 (about $17,700) per year over five years.
- Submit a valid Malta residency card as proof of your residency.
Malta passport processing time (CES)
The processing time for the CES program varies, but here is a basic breakdown:
- Residency application (2-3 weeks): Once you have completed the level one due diligence and submitted your application for a residence permit to the Community Malta Agency, they will review your eligibility based on the requirements. If you meet all the necessary criteria, they will submit your eligibility application.
- Citizenship eligibility (12-36 months): After you’ve fulfilled the investment requirements, you must also have resided in Malta for at least 36 months – or 12 months, depending on the invested sum before you can apply for Maltese citizenship. Obtaining a Letter of Approval in Principle takes two to three months.
- Citizenship approval (2-3 months): You must then take the Oath of Allegiance to receive an official naturalization certificate. At this stage you can obtain your Malta passport.
Important to note: Agents from the Community Malta Agency will monitor all successful applicants for five years after citizenship has been granted.
Take a look at our Malta Citizenship Ultimate Guide by local experts
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 is you don’t wish to renounce citizenship of your home country. The Malta Residency by Investment Visa, also known as the Malta Golden Visa, allows you and your family to reside 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.
How Can Global Citizen Solutions Help You?
Global Citizen Solutions is a boutique investment migration consultancy firm focused on finding the right residency or citizenship by investment program for individuals wishing to secure their future and become global citizens. With offices in Portugal, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, and Brazil, our multilingual team guides individuals and families from start to finish, providing expert advice considering freedom, mobility, taxation, and security.
- We have helped hundreds of clients from 35+ countries in all the top residency by investment and citizenship by investment programs. With an in-depth and comprehensive understanding of the area, we provide our clients with solid guidance.
- Our team has never had a case rejected. Our 100 percent approval rate sets us apart from our competitors and guarantees that you can expect a successful application.
- Our transparent pricing covers all the processes from opening your bank account, document certification, and legal due diligence to investment and submission. As there is one fee for the entire process, you can be confident that you will not face any hidden costs later.
- All data is stored within a GDPR-compliant database on a secure SSL-encrypted server. You can be safe knowing that your personal data is treated with the utmost security.
- Global Citizen Solutions provides an all-encompassing solution. Our support can continue even after you receive your passport. We offer additional services such as company incorporation, Trusts, and Foundations formation.
- The BeGlobal Onboarding System® allows you to access the status of your application every step of the way, something that sets us apart from our competitors.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Malta passport
How much does a Malta passport cost in 2024?
If you are a Maltese citizen, you can acquire a Maltese passport for between €16-€80 depending on the age of the applicant.
What is the price of a Malta passport through citizenship by investment?
To be granted Maltese citizenship through investment, you’ll need a minimum of €600,000, plus additional costs. You must also either buy property worth €700,000 or lease a property for €16,000 per year for five years and make a €10,000 charitable donation.
What are the benefits of having a Malta passport?
There are a range of benefits of having a Malta passport, including visa-free travel to 172 countries, access to the EU, fantastic education opportunities, and access to EU healthcare standards.
How long does it take to get a Malta passport in 2024?
It depends on your investment route, generally with the CES program a Malta passport will take anywhere between 13-37 months.
What documents are needed for the Malta passport application form?
The documents required for the Malta passport application form include evidence of a clean criminal record, financial documents, a valid passport, proof of biometric data submission, and two passport-size photos.
What are the visa-free countries for a Maltese passport holder?
You can enjoy visa-free access to over 170 destinations worldwide, including the EU Schengen Area, the UK, Canada, and the US.
Is the Malta passport strong?
Malta’s passport ranks 34th out of 197 countries on the Global Passport Index. With its membership in the EU and participation in the Schengen Area, Malta’s passport offers significant advantages in terms of travel and business mobility.
Is it easy to get a Maltese passport?
The process is quite straightforward: A four-tier due diligence procedure is used to verify and assess the application for Malta Citizenship by Investment, and if you match the qualifications for this program, you will be given citizenship and a passport after just 12 or 36 months of residency in Malta.
Do US citizens need a visa to enter Malta?
No. US citizens can enter Malta for up to 90 days for tourist or business purposes without a visa. Please note that the passport should be valid for at least three months beyond the planned departure date.
Do I need to live in Malta to become a citizen?
Applicants of Malta’s citizenship by investment program must provide evidence of a bona fide connection to the country. This means that investors must establish residence for at least 12 months before applying for the program, which entails purchasing or leasing property.
Do foreign investors pay tax in Malta?
If you are considered a Malta citizen, then you are required to pay tax in Malta. However, there are some tax incentives and provisions for foreign investors. Some of these include double taxation treaties, income tax exemptions from foreign countries, and domicile status exemptions. But it’s always best to consult a professional to know where you stand.
What is the Maltese passport processing time?
If you’re already a Maltese citizen you can generally obtain a passport within four days, depending on the backlog.
Does Malta allow dual citizenship?
Yes, Malta allows dual citizenship. Citizens can hold multiple nationalities without giving up their Maltese citizenship. Just be sure to check the rules of any other country involved.
