Acquiring Maltese Citizenship: The New Reality (2025 Update)

Welcome to my detailed guide on Maltese citizenship by investment – or rather, what's left of it.

I have to give it to you straight right from the start:

On 29 April 2025, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) declared the Malta Citizenship by Investment Programme illegal.

But don't panic.

In this article, I won't just explain exactly what happened and why. I'll also show you what alternatives you have now and what the future holds for Malta.

After all, I've been on the island for over 15 years and have witnessed the evolution of the Golden Passport from the very beginning.

Ready for the unvarnished truth?

Let's dive in.

Yours, Philipp M. Sauerborn

ECJ Ruling: The End of the Malta Golden Passport

Let's start with the elephant in the room.

On 29 April 2025, the European Court of Justice ruled that Malta's Exceptional Investor Naturalisation (MEIN) programme violates EU law. The judgment is final – no appeal is possible.

And here is the kicker:

The judges described the programme as the "commercialisation of the citizenship of a Member State and thus of EU citizenship".

Ouch.

That hits hard.

Free Initial Consultation

Have your tax situation reviewed for free.

Request consultation now

What does this mean for you specifically?

It's quite simple:

• New applications are no longer being accepted
• Pending applications are in limbo
• Citizenships already granted remain valid
• Malta is working on a new, EU-compliant programme

Let me emphasise this again: If you have already received Maltese citizenship through the MEIN programme, you are safe. It remains valid.

But for everyone else?

Well, that's where it gets complicated.

The Legal Background of the ECJ Ruling

The ECJ argued that Malta violated two fundamental EU principles:

EU Principle	Violation by Malta	Consequence
Article 4(3) TEU – Sincere Cooperation	Citizenship as a commodity	Undermining trust within the EU
Article 20 TFEU – EU Citizenship	No genuine link to the country required	Devaluation of EU citizenship

The EU Commission had already initiated infringement proceedings in 2020. Malta fought back for three years.

In vain.

What Was the Maltese Golden Passport (MEIN)?

Before we get to the alternatives, let me briefly explain what the MEIN programme actually was.

And why it was so attractive.

The Maltese Exceptional Investor Naturalisation (MEIN) programme – also known as the "Golden Passport" – was one of the last of its kind in the EU. After the end of the programmes in Cyprus (2020) and Bulgaria (2022), Malta was the last man standing.

Free Initial Consultation

Have your tax situation reviewed for free.

Request consultation now

The Benefits of the Maltese Passport at a Glance

Why was the Maltese passport so sought after?

Here are the hard facts:

• Visa-free travel to over 180 countries – including the USA, Canada, Australia
• Full EU citizens' rights – Live, work, and study in all 27 EU countries
• Access to the Schengen Area – Borderless freedom of movement in 26 countries
• Tax advantages with Non-Dom status – Only income remitted to Malta is taxed
• English as an official language – No language barrier with authorities
• Dual citizenship allowed – You didn't have to give up your old passport

Sounds too good to be true?

It was. That's why the EU put a stop to it.

Buying Maltese Citizenship: The Costs in Detail

Now it gets interesting.

What did the whole thing actually cost? And what did you have to bring to the table?

Buckle up, the numbers are substantial.

The Investment Requirements of the MEIN Programme

The MEIN programme had two options:

Option	Main Investment	Residency Period	Per Family Member
Standard Route	€600,000	36 months	+ €50,000
Express Route	€750,000	12 months	+ €50,000

But wait!

That was far from everything.

The Hidden Costs – What No One Tells You

In addition to the main investment, there were these "little extras":

1. Real Estate Investment (Mandatory!):

Purchase: At least €700,000 (hold for 5 years) OR Rent: At least €16,000 per year (5 years)

2. Charitable Donation: €10,000 to a Maltese NGO
3. Due Diligence Fees:

Main applicant: €15,000 Spouse: €10,000 Children/Dependants: €5,000 – €10,000

4. Legal and Advisory Fees: €30,000 – €80,000
5. Health Insurance: Minimum coverage €100,000 EU-wide

Let's do the maths:

Total costs for the Express Route for a family (2 adults, 2 children):

• Main Investment: €750,000
• 3 Family Members: €150,000
• Real Estate (5 years rent): €80,000
• Donation: €10,000
• Due Diligence: €40,000
• Advisory: €50,000

Total: €1,080,000 minimum

Phew. That's a lot to take in, isn't it?

Individual Investor Programme Malta: How the Process Worked

You're probably wondering: How did the whole thing actually work?

I'll explain it step by step.

Phase 1: Preparation (2-3 Months)

First, you needed a licensed agent. Nothing happened without one. The Community Malta Agency (the government authority) only worked with authorised representatives.

The list of documents was... impressive:

• Police conduct certificates from all countries of residence in the last 10 years
• Proof of Source of Wealth
• Proof of Source of Funds
• Birth certificates, marriage certificates, all notarised and apostilled
• Medical certificates
• And about 50 other documents...

Free Initial Consultation

Have your tax situation reviewed for free.

Request consultation now

Phase 2: Residence Application and Due Diligence (4-6 Months)

This is where it got serious.

The Maltese authorities conducted a four-tier due diligence process:

1. Tier 1: Basic check by the agent
2. Tier 2: Extended check by specialised due diligence firms
3. Tier 3: Government check (Community Malta Agency)
4. Tier 4: Final security check (Interpol, Europol databases)

At the same time, you had to establish your residence in Malta. That meant: signing a lease agreement and registering.

Phase 3: The Waiting Period (12 or 36 Months)

Depending on the route chosen, you had to be a "resident" in Malta for 12 or 36 months.

But watch out:

Here comes the trick we'll talk about in a moment.

Phase 4: Citizenship Application (2-4 Months)

After the residency period expired, you could finally submit the actual citizenship application.

Now you also had to make the investments:

• Transfer to the National Development and Social Fund
• Property purchase or long-term lease
• Donation to the NGO

Phase 5: The Oath of Allegiance and Naturalisation

The final step: You had to come to Malta personally and take the Oath of Allegiance.

After that, you received:

• The Certificate of Naturalisation
• The Maltese passport
• The Maltese ID card

Total duration Express Route: 14-18 months

Total duration Standard Route: 38-42 months

The 12-Month Trick: Residency Without Real Presence

Now comes the part no one likes to talk about.

The "residency requirement".

Officially, you had to be "resident" in Malta for 12 or 36 months. But what did that really mean?

Here is the truth:

What "Residency" Really Meant

According to Jonathan Cardona, the former head of the Individual Investor Programme, while you had to be registered on the island for 12 months, there was no physical presence requirement.

You read that right.

You only had to come to Malta twice:

1. Once for registration – Sign lease, register address
2. Once for the Oath – At the end of the process

In between? Complete freedom.

The "Genuine Link" Debate

But wait – wasn't there something about a "genuine link"?

Yes, that was the big sticking point.

The EU Commission argued that a genuine connection to the country must exist. Malta countered with the principle of freedom of movement.

In practice, it looked like this:

What Malta Required	What Actually Happened
Registered address in Malta	✓ Apartment rented, never lived in
Connecting factors	✓ Golf club membership, never played
Integration	✓ Donation to NGO, never visited
Physical presence	✗ 2-4 days a year

Do you see the problem?

The EU did. Hence the ruling.

My Personal Take on This

I've been in Malta for over 15 years. I live here, I work here, my children go to school here.

And honestly?

It always bothered me that people could get citizenship without ever really living here.

Don't get me wrong:

I am absolutely in favour of investment migration. It brings capital, creates jobs, boosts the economy.

But citizenship should be more than a financial transaction.

It should reflect a genuine connection to the country.

Alternatives to Maltese Citizenship

Okay, enough about the past.

What are your options NOW?

I have good news: alternatives still exist.

Free Initial Consultation

Have your tax situation reviewed for free.

Request consultation now

Option 1: Malta Permanent Residency Programme (MPRP)

The Malta Permanent Residency is still very much alive and EU-compliant.

Key facts:

• Investment: From €37,000 government contribution + Property (purchase from €375,000 or rent from €14,000/year)
• Processing time: 4-6 months
• Benefits: EU residency rights, Schengen travel freedom
• Downsides: No citizenship, no EU working rights (automatically)

After 5 years, you can apply for citizenship – but only if you REALLY live in Malta.

Option 2: Other EU Programmes

Here is an overview of currently available EU programmes:

Country	Programme	Minimum Investment	Path to Citizenship
Portugal	Golden Visa	€500,000 (funds only)	5 years
Greece	Golden Visa	from €250,000*	7 years
Italy	Investor Visa	€250,000	10 years

*Greece: Tiered since Sept. 2024 – €250,000 only for conversion projects, €400,000 in most areas, €800,000 in Athens, Thessaloniki and popular islands. Spain's Golden Visa was abolished in April 2025.

But be careful:

None of these programmes offer direct citizenship. You have to take the long road.

Option 3: Caribbean Citizenships

If it absolutely has to be a second passport, look to the Caribbean:

• St. Kitts & Nevis: From $250,000 – The classic
• Dominica: From $200,000 – The value winner
• Antigua & Barbuda: From $200,000 – With Canada visa
• Grenada: From $200,000 – With USA E-2 Visa option
• St. Lucia: From $200,000 – The newcomer

These programmes are legal, established, and internationally recognised.

But:

A Caribbean passport is not an EU passport. Travel freedom is more restricted, and economic opportunities are limited.

Option 4: The Entrepreneurial Route

My personal favourite for business owners:

Set up a Malta Limited and build a REAL presence.

The advantage:

• You utilise Malta's tax benefits (effective 5% corporate tax)
• You build genuine connections to the country
• After 5 years of genuine presence: Naturalisation possible
• EU-compliant and sustainable

Yes, it takes longer. Yes, it requires real commitment.

But it is the only path that will stand the test of time.

The Future of Malta Citizenship: What Comes Next?

The big question: Where do we go from here?

In July 2025, Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri presented the new Citizenship by Merit law. On 24 July 2025, the law (Act XXI of 2025) was passed by Parliament, and on 30 July 2025, the corresponding regulations (Legal Notice 159 of 2025) were published.

The MEIN programme was formally abolished and replaced by the new "Citizenship by Exceptional Merit" system.

What the New Programme Includes

1. Genuine Residency Requirement – At least 183 days per year in Malta
2. Longer Waiting Periods – At least 5 years of residency
3. Qualitative Criteria – Not just money, but also:

Business creation with jobs Technology transfer Exceptional cultural or scientific contributions

4. Stricter Due Diligence – Even more intensive background checks
5. Language Skills – English or Maltese proficiency required

In other words:

It is a completely different programme.

Free Initial Consultation

Have your tax situation reviewed for free.

Request consultation now

EU-Wide Implications

The ECJ ruling sends a signal to all of Europe.

What does this mean specifically?

Trend	Consequence	Timeframe
End of CBI programmes in the EU	No more direct passports for cash	Already happened
Tightening of Golden Visa programmes	Higher investments, longer waits	2025-2026
Focus on "Genuine Links"	Real integration becomes mandatory	Immediate
Harmonisation of EU standards	Uniform rules for all Member States	2026-2027

The golden days of "passport shopping" in Europe are definitely over.

My Personal Conclusion After 15 Years in Malta

Let me be completely honest with you.

The end of the MEIN programme is not the end of the world.

On the contrary:

It is a chance for Malta to develop a more sustainable, fairer system.

My Advice to You

If you are seriously interested in Malta:

1. Come here and live here – At least for a few months a year
2. Build genuine connections – Business, social, cultural
3. Use the tax advantages legally – With a Malta Limited and real substance
4. Think long-term – Rome wasn't built in a day either

Malta is a wonderful country. 300 days of sunshine a year. A booming economy. English as an official language. EU membership.

But it should be more than just a stamp in your passport.

The Uncomfortable Truth

Many of my clients ask me: "Philipp, what is the fastest way to an EU passport?"

My answer is always the same:

There is no fast way anymore. And that's a good thing.

Citizenship is a privilege, not a commodity.

If you understand that and are ready to truly commit, then Malta is still an excellent choice.

If you just want a quick passport?

Then look to the Caribbean. Or rethink your strategy.

My Offer to You

I am here. In Malta. For 15 years.

I know every stone on this island, every authority, every loophole (and every dead end).

If you are seriously interested in making Malta your new home – not just on paper, but for real – then let's talk.

I'll show you the realistic path. No sugarcoating, no false promises.

But with the expertise of someone who has walked the path himself.

Ready for the next step?

Then get in touch.

Yours, Philipp M. Sauerborn

P.S.: By the way – I was at the beach with my daughter yesterday. In December. At 22 degrees. Just a reminder of why Malta is a great place despite everything.

Free Initial Consultation

Have your tax situation reviewed for free.

Request consultation now

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still get Maltese citizenship by investment?

No, the MEIN programme was declared illegal by the ECJ on 29 April 2025. Malta is working on a new programme, but this will have completely different requirements – specifically genuine residency and genuine connections to the country.

What happens to citizenships already granted?

These remain valid. The ECJ only declared the programme itself illegal, not the citizenships already granted. If you have already received a Maltese passport through the MEIN programme, you will keep it.

How much did Maltese citizenship cost?

The old MEIN programme cost at least €600,000 (for 36 months residency) or €750,000 (for 12 months), plus real estate investment (€700,000 purchase or €16,000 annual rent), donations, and fees. Total costs were usually over €1 million.

Are there alternatives to the Maltese Golden Passport?

Yes, but no more direct EU citizenships. Alternatives are: Malta Permanent Residency (MPRP), other EU Golden Visa programmes (Portugal, Greece, Italy) with a path to naturalisation after 5-10 years, or Caribbean citizenship programmes. Spain's Golden Visa was abolished in April 2025.

Can I get citizenship through a Malta Limited?

Indirectly, yes. If you set up a Malta Limited and truly live and work here, you can apply for naturalisation after 5 years of continuous legal residence. However, this requires genuine integration and physical presence.

What will the new Malta programme include?

The new law (Act XXI of 2025) includes a genuine residency requirement (183+ days/year), at least 5 years of waiting, qualitative criteria (creating jobs, technology transfer), and language proficiency requirements.

Is Malta Permanent Residency still possible?

Yes, the Malta Permanent Residency Programme (MPRP) is still available and EU-compliant. It costs from €37,000 government contribution plus property (purchase from €375,000 or rent from €14,000/year) and offers residency rights in Malta as well as Schengen travel freedom.

Why did the ECJ rule against Malta?

The ECJ viewed the "commercialisation of citizenship" as a violation of EU principles. The court argued that EU citizenship requires more than a financial transaction – namely, a genuine link to the Member State.

Can I appeal the ruling if my application is rejected?

The ECJ ruling itself is final and cannot be appealed. For pending applications, legal advice is recommended, as there may be claims for damages or refunds.

Is Malta still worth it for entrepreneurs?

Absolutely! Malta continues to offer excellent tax advantages for companies (effective 5% corporate tax), EU market access, English language, and 300 days of sunshine. The combination of business and long-term residency can still lead to citizenship – just via the regular route.