Malta Citizenship by Merit is the legal basis on which Maltese citizenship can be acquired by naturalisation in circumstances where the state deems that the applicant’s contribution is worthy of citizenship. It applies to individuals who render exceptional services to the Republic of Malta, make an exceptional contribution, or whose naturalisation is considered to be of exceptional interest to Malta. The legislation expressly recognises fields including philanthropy, entrepreneurship, investment in Malta, research, technology, arts, as well as job creation.
Following the judgment of the Court of Justice of the European Union in Case C-181/23, Malta amended its citizenship legislation in 2025. The result is a statutory mechanism for the discretionary granting of citizenship on the basis of merit.
In short, Malta Citizenship by Merit is best understood as an exceptional route to naturalisation grounded in individual merit, contribution and national interest — not a standardised citizenship route with fixed qualifying conditions.
The Legal Basis for Malta Citizenship by Merit
The legal basis for Malta Citizenship by Merit is found principally in Article 10(9) of the Maltese Citizenship Act (Chapter 188), together with the regulations governing the granting of citizenship for exceptional services, as amended by Legal Notice 159 of 2025.
Legal Notice 159 of 2025 introduced amendments to the subsidiary legislation governing the merit-based naturalisation process. It sets out a structured process through which an applicant’s background, achievements, proposed contribution and wider circumstances are assessed before a decision is taken on whether citizenship should be granted.
Under this legislation, citizenship by merit may be granted where a person renders an exceptional service to Malta or to humanity, makes an exceptional contribution, or is considered to be of exceptional interest to Malta.
What Constitutes Merit?
Merit, under the Maltese citizenship framework, is inherently individual. It cannot be reduced to a single financial threshold or a predetermined qualifying investment.
The assessment may take into account an applicant’s established achievements and reputation, the significance of their contribution, their professional or entrepreneurial record, and the potential value of their future engagement with Malta.
The legislative framework identifies relevant areas including science and research, technology, sport, entrepreneurship, culture and the arts, and philanthropy. Entrepreneurship may include initiatives involving job creation; other contributions may involve the advancement of knowledge, innovation, cultural development, sporting achievement or significant philanthropic activity.
An applicant’s profile can therefore be relevant in a variety of ways:
- A leading entrepreneur who will create substantial employment
- A scientist whose work has generated international recognition
- An athlete with exceptional achievements
- An internationally recognised artist
- A technology specialist
- An individual whose philanthropic activities have produced substantial social impact
Each of these may present a potentially relevant case for Citizenship by Merit but success in a field is not, by itself, decisive. The central question is whether the applicant’s individual circumstances demonstrate the exceptional service, contribution or interest contemplated by the legislation, and whether the case justifies the discretionary granting of Maltese citizenship.
Exceptional Service, Exceptional Contribution and Exceptional Interest
The statutory framework contains three qualifying concepts:
- Exceptional service to Malta or to humanity, directed at circumstances in which a person’s service or achievements are of an exceptional nature and significance.
- Exceptional contribution, which may arise through an exceptional donation, entrepreneurship, job creation, philanthropy, scientific advancement, technological innovation, cultural achievement or other activity producing substantial value. In practice, this may include a financial donation to a university fund, the restoration of heritage sites or cultural assets, or substantial donations to charitable causes, among other forms of contribution.
- Exceptional interest to Malta, which recognises circumstances in which an applicant possesses skills, qualities, talents or expertise considered to be of particular significance to Malta’s national interests.
The granting of Maltese citizenship on the basis of merit is discretionary. This means an applicant does not acquire an automatic right to citizenship merely by demonstrating a successful career, making a contribution, establishing residence in Malta, or satisfying procedural requirements.
Applications are examined individually, with the authorities retaining discretion throughout the decision-making process. Community Malta Agency has expressly emphasised that applications are assessed strictly and diligently, on a case-by-case basis.
This discretionary character is one of the defining features of Malta Citizenship by Merit, and it is what fundamentally distinguishes it from a standardised, investment-based route.
The Citizenship by Merit Process
The process begins with the applicant coming to Malta to apply for a residence card. Securing residence status is the first practical step, as it establishes the applicant’s formal presence in Malta and lays the groundwork for the residence period required later in the process. In fact a formal citizenship application, may only be submitted after 8 months from the acquisition of a Maltese residence card.
Once residence has been secured, the applicant prepares and submits a detailed proposal letter to Community Malta Agency with the help of our lawyers. The proposal should:
- Present the applicant’s background and achievements
- Explain the exceptional service or contribution to be made
- Identify the relevance of the proposed contribution to Malta
The proposal then undergoes independent evaluation by the specialised Evaluation Board, alongside Community Malta Agency’s due diligence and verification processes. The Evaluation Board submits its recommendation to the Agency as to whether the proposal should be approved or refused. The Agency, in turn, submits the recommendation to the Minister for consideration.
The Minister may grant approval in principle or reject the proposal; the decision is discretionary and final under the applicable framework.
Where approval in principle is granted, the applicant may proceed with the formal application for a certificate of citizenship by naturalisation on the basis of merit, subject to fulfilment of the applicable statutory requirements.
Due Diligence and Integrity under the Malta Citizenship by Merit Regulations
Exceptional achievements or contributions do not exempt an applicant from rigorous due diligence. Community Malta Agency carries out due diligence and vetting as part of the process, and every merit proposal is considered alongside the Agency’s verification and compliance procedures. An applicant’s identity, background, professional history, reputation, financial circumstances and other relevant factors may all be examined as part of the overall assessment.
The due diligence fees to be paid are as follows:
| Government Fees | Per | Fee |
| Due Diligence Fees | Applicant | €40,000 |
| Due Diligence -Fees | Dependent over age of 12 (incl. spouse) | €5,000 |
| Due Diligence – Admin Fee | Applicant | €15,000 |
| Due Diligence – Admin Fee | Dependent over age of 12 (incl. spouse) | €2,500 |
Malta Citizenship by Merit vs. the Former Citizenship-by-Investment Framework
The distinction between the current framework and Malta’s former citizenship-by-investment framework is fundamental.
The former framework was based on prescribed qualifying conditions and financial contributions. Following the CJEU judgment of 29 April 2025, Malta amended its citizenship legislation, and the present merit framework now operates on a different legal and conceptual basis entirely.
Malta Citizenship by Merit is not a rebranding of the former citizenship-by-investment framework. It is a discretionary naturalisation mechanism directed at exceptional individuals whose service, contribution, qualities or expertise may justify the granting of citizenship in the national interest. Community Malta Agency has expressly cautioned against presenting it as a continuation of, or alternative to, the former framework.
This distinction matters when assessing prospective applicants: financial capacity alone does not establish merit, and making a particular financial contribution does not create an entitlement to citizenship.
Which Family Members can be included in a Malta Citizenship by Merit Application?
The applicable legislation also provides for the inclusion of qualifying dependants in a request for citizenship by merit, subject to the conditions prescribed by law. In particular, the applicant may include their spouse, as well as children up to the age of 28, provided that such children are unmarried and financially dependent on the applicant.
Does Malta allow Dual Citizenship?
Malta permits dual and multiple citizenship. As a matter of Maltese law, the acquisition of Maltese citizenship does not require an applicant to renounce another nationality. Whether an applicant is able to retain their existing nationality will, however, also depend on the citizenship laws of their country of origin.
Benefits of Maltese Citizenship by Merit
Maltese citizenship carries a number of practical advantages which include:
- As Malta is a Member State of the European Union, Maltese citizenship confers EU citizenship, along with the right to live, work and study in any EU or EEA member state.
- Maltese passport holders benefit from visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to a large number of countries worldwide, reflecting Malta’s standing within the EU and the Schengen Area.
- Unlike residence permits, citizenship is not subject to periodic renewal or conditions of continued residence, and it can generally be passed on to future generations in accordance with Maltese law.
- Citizens benefit fully from Malta’s English-speaking legal system, its regulatory framework, and its position as a hub for international business, financial services and other sectors.
- As noted above, Malta permits dual citizenship, so citizenship is acquired without any obligation to renounce an existing nationality, subject to the law of the applicant’s country of origin.
Why Malta?
Malta offers an unusual combination of EU membership, an English-speaking legal and business environment, a strategic Mediterranean location, and an established international community.
English and Maltese are the country’s official languages, and English is extensively used in business, education and public administration. Malta is also an EU Member State and part of the Schengen Area.
Its compact geographical scale, established professional infrastructure and diversified economy create opportunities for individuals seeking to build meaningful commercial, philanthropic, scientific, technological or cultural engagement.
This environment is particularly relevant to a merit-based naturalisation framework. The emphasis is not simply on an applicant’s existing achievements, but on the potential for those skills, networks, resources and expertise to produce a meaningful and lasting contribution in Malta.
How ACC Immigration Can Assist
A successful application under the Malta Citizenship by Merit framework requires considerably more than the assembly of standard citizenship documents.
The central question is how the applicant’s individual profile can be presented within the legal concepts of exceptional service, exceptional contribution or exceptional interest. This requires a careful assessment of the applicant’s achievements, supporting evidence, reputation, existing relationship with Malta, and proposed future contribution.
The merit proposal should be treated as the central substantive document in the process. It must establish a coherent narrative, supported by documentary evidence, that demonstrates why the applicant’s naturalisation is justified within the statutory framework.
Throughout the process, it is worth keeping in mind the distinction between eligibility to be considered and entitlement to citizenship. The former may arise where an applicant falls within the statutory framework; the latter never arises, because the decision to grant citizenship under Malta Citizenship by Merit remains, at every stage, discretionary.
Given the discretionary nature of Malta Citizenship by Merit, the strength of an application depends heavily on how the applicant’s profile is assessed, positioned and presented. ACC Immigration works with applicants at every stage of this process, including:
- Eligibility assessment. Reviewing an applicant’s background, achievements and circumstances to determine whether a credible case can be made under the exceptional service, exceptional contribution or exceptional interest categories.
- Residence card application. Guiding the applicant through the initial step of applying for a Maltese residence card, and advising on the documentation and requirements involved.
- Preparation of the merit proposal. Developing the substantive proposal letter to Community Malta Agency, including the articulation of the applicant’s past achievements and a coherent, forward-looking plan for continued contribution to Malta.
- Coordination of supporting documentation. Assembling and organising the evidence required to substantiate the claims made in the proposal, in line with the Agency’s requirements.
- Liaison with Community Malta Agency. Managing communications throughout the Evaluation Board’s review and the due diligence process, and responding to any requests for further information.
- Residence and integration support. Assisting with matters such as securing adequate residential property in Malta.
- Family member applications. Advising on the eligibility of qualifying dependants and preparing any related documentation.
Because each application is assessed strictly on its own facts, early and careful preparation is essential. ACC Immigration’s role is to help ensure that an applicant’s case is presented clearly, accurately and persuasively within the legal framework governing Malta Citizenship by Merit — while managing expectations appropriately given the discretionary nature of the final decision.
