Malta Citizenship Application

Applying for Malta Citizenship through Merit

Malta citizenship by merit is granted to individuals who demonstrate an exceptional contribution to the Republic of Malta, through a structured combination of residency, contributions to the country, and ties to Malta. The process is designed to attract individuals of standing who are committed to Malta’s long-term development and values.

The framework recognises exceptional contributions and services that meaningfully benefit Malta or humanity at large. Eligible contributions may include initiatives that create jobs, advance scientific or technological innovation, elevate cultural or sporting achievements, or support substantial philanthropic and humanitarian efforts in line with Malta’s vision 2050. Distinguished individuals such as scientists, researchers, athletes and sports persons, artists and cultural performers, entrepreneurs, technologists and philanthropists are expressly contemplated within the legal framework as potential candidates whose achievements and impact may justify naturalisation on the basis of merit.

This merit-based approach ensures that Maltese citizenship is granted to individuals who not only demonstrate outstanding capabilities or contributions, but whose presence and ongoing engagement with Malta enhance the nation’s reputation, foster economic and social value, and align with Malta’s long-term strategic interests.

Malta Citizenship Application Submission

The regulations allowing for the granting of Maltese citizenship by merit follows a structured process administered by the Community Malta Agency (Komunita Malta) and ultimately subject to ministerial approval. The process begins with the submission of a residence application, following which the applicant is required to travel to Malta to provide biometric data. This initial residence phase establishes the applicant’s lawful presence in Malta and marks the formal commencement of the pathway towards naturalisation.

Once a residence card has been issued, the applicant prepares a comprehensive proposal addressed to the Evaluation Board and submitted through the Community Malta Agency. This proposal outlines the applicant’s personal background and family members, where applicable, and sets out in detail the exceptional contribution or service proposed to Malta or to humanity at large. It also includes a forward-looking plan demonstrating the applicant’s intended commitments, ongoing engagement, and links with Malta following naturalisation.

The Community Malta Agency conducts an initial review of the proposal to ensure completeness and credibility before initiating due diligence checks and requesting the applicable administrative fees. Upon successful completion of this stage, the proposal is formally referred to the Evaluation Board, which assesses the merits of the application and may request further information or conduct interviews as part of its evaluation. The Board then issues a recommendation to the Minister responsible for citizenship matters.

If the proposal is approved, the Minister issues a Letter of Approval in Principle. Following this approval, and after completing a minimum period of lawful residence in Malta of at least eight months, the applicant may proceed to submit a formal application for naturalisation. This application must demonstrate continued compliance with residence requirements, the holding of adequate residential property in Malta, and evidence that the proposed contribution has been made or is being implemented in accordance with the approved plan.

At this stage, the Community Malta Agency carries out updated due diligence checks and collects further administrative fees before forwarding the application to the Evaluation Board for a second assessment. If the Board recommends approval and the Minister concurs, a final Letter of Approval is issued.

Citizenship is only conferred once the applicant takes the Oath of Allegiance to the Republic of Malta within the prescribed timeframe and signs a formal undertaking to honour post-naturalisation obligations. Following naturalisation, the Community Malta Agency continues to monitor compliance with these commitments, and Maltese law reserves the right to revoke citizenship in cases of serious or material non-compliance. This framework reinforces Malta’s position that citizenship is granted on the basis of merit, integrity, and sustained connection, rather than entitlement.

As part of our broader Immigration practice, Chetcuti Cauchi Advocates also advises and assists clients in relation to other modes of acquiring Maltese citizenship. These include, among others, citizenship by descent, registration, and marriage, each of which follows its own statutory criteria, evidentiary requirements, and procedural timelines. Our role is to assess eligibility at an early stage, structure the application correctly, and manage the process from preparation through submission and follow-up with the competent authorities. By providing clear guidance on documentation, procedural sequencing, and realistic timelines, we ensure that each pathway to Maltese citizenship is pursued efficiently, compliantly, and in line with the client’s personal and family circumstances.

Our Malta Citizenship Application Services

For over twenty five years, our immigration lawyers have represented numerous individuals in applying for Maltese citizenship under various routes including citizenship by descent, citizenship by marriage, citizenship through adoption and citizenship by investment and citizenship by merit. Malta Citizenship Application services may only be offered via Competent Professionals in line with the Maltese Citizenship Act.

The firm enjoys a sterling reputation in the areas of citizenship and residence planning and in the handling of legal and tax matters relevant to the structuring of personal wealth and business interests worldwide.  The firm has been successfully handling citizenship applications, residence permits, and special tax status applications for over 25 years.

Our Citizenship & Residence Planning team is led by 4 partners, co-founder Dr Jean-Philippe Chetcuti, senior partner and licensed citizenship agent Dr Priscilla Mifsud Parker, Marina Magri and Dr Antoine Saliba-Haig, assisted by a dedicated team of specialist immigration lawyers and immigration advisors with over 20 years of experience handling Malta citizenship applications.

• Dr Jean-Philippe Chetcuti acts as the firm’s managing partner and since 1998 has specialised in global citizenship and residency programmes, family office structuring, international tax, trusts and estate planning. He has advised some of the world's most accomplished ultra HNWIs and their family offices, lawyers, private banks and wealth managers. Under the Malta's first citizenship by investment programme, the Individual Investor Programme of 2014, JP held the first license IIP-001 and was the first to be promoted licenced agent in recognition of the quality and quantity of files submitted to the then citizenship agency Identity Malta.
• Dr Priscilla Mifsud-Parker is a private clients lawyer who heads the Families & Wealth and Corporate, Trusts & Fintech practice groups. She is a member of the Maltese Chamber of Advocates and has served two terms as Chairperson of the Society for Trusts and Estates Practitioners (STEP), from 2020. She is licenced by Agenzija Komunita Malta to submit citizenship by investment applications and holds licence AKM-ACCA.
• Dr Antoine Saliba Haig is a Partner of the firm and co-heads the Immigration and Global Mobility Practice of the firm. He is a member of the Chamber of Advocates and has written his thesis on the acquisition and loss of citizenship in Malta. He is also recognised as a leading lawyer in this field by Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners.

Our Malta Citizenship Application Services

Licensed Agent & Competent Professional

Applications for Maltese Citizenship by Merit are to be made to and processed wholly by Agenzija Komunita Malta. Applicants must be represented by a Competent Professional that is also a licensed Agent with the Residency Malta Agency.  The regulations imposes more responsibilities on competent professionals to ensure the highest standards of quality are maintained throughout the application process, for the protection and benefit of applicants and the reputation of the Maltese citizenship by merit regulations. Dr Priscilla Mifsud Parker is duly authorised to act as a licenced agent and Competent Professional in terms of the Agents(Licences) Regulations, 2020 (L.N. 435 of 2020) and the Maltese Citizenship Act.

Application Stage

We offer the services of:

• advising you on your chances of success before filing your application;
• providing you with pre-immigration legal and tax advice;
• guiding you with the preparation and forwarding of the necessary documentation;
• vetting and preparing all supporting documentation for submission;
• corresponding and liaising with the government authorities on your behalf during the application process;
• keeping you informed with the progress of your application;
• assisting you with the purchase / rental of property in Malta including applications for AIP permits (foreigners need AIP permit to purchase property in Malta), reviews of your contract, liaising with the notary.

Why Chetcuti Cauchi

The law firm is a leader in investment migration law and advises international families on all aspects of taxation, citizenship and residence law.  The law firm's Maltese citizenship law practice is led by immigration lawyer Dr Jean-Philippe Chetcuti, senior partner Dr Priscilla Mifsud Partner and DrAntoine Saliba Haig.

Law Firm

• Chetcuti Cauchi Advocates is a law firm bound by professional secrecy: lawyer-client privilege is fully protected under Maltese law,
• The law firm covers the full spectrum of private client legal and tax services in-house.
• We are loyal to you and provide honest advise on eligibility rather than blindly taking on any case.

Quality Service

• Full partner attention on all matters.
• Full concierge services available in a friendly and personalised environment.
• Full-service multi-disciplinary law firm specialising in the use of Malta in international legal and tax planning, company & trust formation & management.

Experience

• Chetcuti Cauchi enjoys a sterling reputation in the areas of citizenship and residence planning and in the handling of legal and tax matters relevant to the structuring and planning of personal wealth and personal interests and business worldwide.
• Over twenty five years’ experience in citizenship and residency applications, specialising exclusively on Malta in an international context.
• An outstanding success rate in residence and citizenship applications, through an honest professional assessment of applicants prior to filing and a problem solving approach.