Legal Basis
The legal foundation for citizenship by merit is found in Article 10(9) of the Maltese Citizenship Act, which allows the Minister responsible for citizenship to grant naturalisation to foreign nationals or stateless persons who:
- Have rendered exceptional services to Malta or to humanity, or
- Whose naturalisation is of exceptional interest to Malta.
The law further defines “exceptional” as “manifestly superior” and identifies categories such as:
Scientists, researchers, athletes, sportspeople, artists, cultural performers, investors, and entrepreneurs.
Eligibility
To be considered for citizenship by merit, the applicant must:
- Be a foreigner or stateless person;
- Have resided in Malta for at least eight (8) months immediately prior to submitting the application;
- Hold title to a residential property in Malta;
- Have rendered exceptional services in sports, culture, arts, science, or research.
Application Process
Eligibility Stage
Prospective applicants must submit the Eligibility Form , supported by relevant documentation. The purpose of this step is to assess whether the applicant meets the legal and substantive criteria for consideration.
Applicants must select one of two justifications in the eligibility form:
i) I have rendered exceptional services to Malta or to humanity (with proof attached);
or
ii) My naturalisation is of exceptional interest to Malta (with an endorsing report from the designated competent body).
Designated competent bodies responsible for endorsing applications include:
- For Sports: National sports associations registered with Sport Malta
- For Culture and the Arts: Arts Council Malta or the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage
- For Science and Research: A tertiary education institution, the National Council for Further and Higher Education, or the Malta Council for Science and Technology
Citizenship Application Stage
Once eligibility is confirmed, applicants will be invited to submit the full application using Form U1, supported by further documentation and subject to additional reviews.
Required Documents
Applicants must provide the following:
1. Birth certificate
2. Valid Maltese residence permit
3. Valid passport biometric page
4. Proof of residence in Malta for at least 8 months prior to submission
5. Police conduct certificate(s) covering the last 10 years (for countries where the applicant resided at least 6 months)
6. Proof of title to residential property in Malta
7. Detailed Curriculum Vitae
8. Proof of exceptional services rendered, including:
- A written report by a competent body confirming recognition or exceptional talent;
- Or evidence of promise to become a leading talent in the relevant field
9. Form U (or Form Q1 for minors)
10. MRQ Form (personal questionnaire)
A Route Reserved for the Remarkable
Citizenship by merit is Malta’s sovereign expression of appreciation for individuals whose exceptional accomplishments bring prestige, progress, and value to the country. Whether you're a Nobel laureate, Olympic athlete, groundbreaking researcher, or a cultural icon Malta offers a path to citizenship based on merit, excellence, and integrity.
