Acquisition of Maltese Citizenship
Acquisition of Maltese Citizenship by Birth
On the 21st of September 1964 when Malta became independent as a state, it was established who would be entitled to an automatic claim to Maltese citizenship by either birth or descent and who may register as a citizen of Malta.
- Who automatically became a citizen of Malta when Malta became an independent state?
- People born in Malta before 21st of September 1964 and if at least one of their parents was born in Malta; or
- Born abroad but his/her father and a paternal grandparent were both born in Malta; and
- On 20th September 1964 they were still citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies.
- Who automatically acquired Maltese Citizenship by birth between 21st September 1964 and 31st July 1989?
- People born in Malta during the said period provided that their father, who was not himself a citizen of Malta, did not enjoy diplomatic immunity in Malta; or
- Born abroad during the said period and at the time of birth, their father was a citizen of Malta by birth or by naturalisation or by registration.
- Who became a citizen of Malta by birth on or after 1st August 1989?
- People born in Malta during the said period and at the time of their birth, their father or mother was/is a citizen of Malta or a person who enjoyed/enjoys freedom of movement (that is a person born in Malta of parents born in Malta before 21st September 1964) and ceased to be a citizen of Malta after emigrating; or
- Born abroad during the said period and at the time of their birth, their father or mother was a citizen of Malta by birth or by naturalisation or by registration.
- Was it or is it possible for a person who had acquired Maltese Citizenship by birth or descent to retain his/her Maltese Citizenship together with that of another citizenship he/she had obtained or retained?
Until 31st July 1989, this was not possible. Dual or multiple citizenship has now become extremely common.
As of the 10th of February 2000, a citizen of Malta could acquire and retain a foreign citizenship or multiple citizenships along with his/her Maltese Citizenship.
Acquisition of Maltese Citizenship by Registration
The following persons are eligible to register for Maltese Citizenship:
- Spouse of a Maltese citizen married for at least five years and on the date of application is still married and living with that citizen of Malta;
- Widow/widower of a person who was a citizen of Malta at the time of his/her death and the widow/widower had been married and living with the now deceased person for at least five years;
- The widow/widower of a person who was a citizen of Malta at the time of his/her death, and if not for the death of the person, the widower/widower would have been married to that person for five years on the date of application;
- Widow/widower of a person who passed away before 21st September 1964 and if it were not for his/her death he/she would have automatically become a citizen of Malta (due to the fact that he/she was born in Malta of a parent born in Malta too or was born abroad of a father and a paternal grandparent who were both born in Malta) and the widow/widower was still living with the deceased person at the time of his/her death;
- Son/daughter born prior to 21st September 1964 of a female born in Malta and who became or would have become, but for her death, a citizen of Malta on the said date;
- Son/daughter of a female citizen of Malta (who acquired Maltese citizenship by birth in Malta, and who was a citizen of Malta at the time of the son’s/daugher’s birth) and was born outside Malta on or after 21st September 1964 and before 1st August 1989;
- Former citizen of Malta and does not qualify automatically for dual citizenship because he/she had not resided for a minimum of six years abroad or was formerly a citizen of Malta by Registration or by Naturalisation;
- Descendant, second or subsequent generation, born abroad of an ascendant born in Malta whereby one of the parents of the said ascendant was also born in Malta. If the descendant is a minor, then the person who has authority over the said minor shall submit the relative application on his behalf.
Acquisition of Maltese Citizenship by Naturalisation
The following persons may apply for Maltese citizenship by naturalisation on the basis of residence in Malta:
- Be at least 18 years old;
- Be a foreigner or stateless person;
- Has resided in Malta throughout the twelve (12) months immediately preceding the date of application; &
- Has resided in Malta for an aggregate period of a minimum of four (4) years, during the six (6) years preceding the above period of twelve (12) months;
- Person of good character;
- Has adequate knowledge of Maltese or English language; and
- Would be a suitable citizen of Malta.
For further information about how GVZH Advocates can help you with your citizenship and/or residency requirements, kindly contact us on privateclients@gvzh.mt.
Citizenship by Naturalisation Based on Merit
Through Subsidiary Legislation 188.06, Granting of Citizenship by Naturalisation Based on Merit Regulations, Malta consolidated its framework governing citizenship by naturalisation on the basis of merit. The Regulations establish the legal basis for the exceptional and non-ordinary grant of citizenship to individuals whose achievements, services, or contributions are considered to be of significant value.
Citizenship by Merit operates as a discretionary mechanism grounded in merit, contribution, and national interest. Each application is assessed on its individual merits and on whether the applicant’s naturalisation is considered to serve the interests of the Republic of Malta.
The Citizenship by Merit framework is defined by the following principles:
Exceptional and discretionary nature
The grant of citizenship is reserved for exceptional cases and remains subject to ministerial discretion.
Merit-based
The Regulations do not prescribe any fixed investment, donation, or financial threshold as a condition for eligibility.
National interest focus
Applications are assessed by reference to the applicant’s contribution, service, or relevance to Malta’s social, cultural, economic, or humanitarian interests.
Applicants may include individuals of recognised standing in fields such as science, sport, culture, entrepreneurship, philanthropy, and technology.
The Citizenship by Merit process begins with the submission of a detailed proposal outlining the applicant’s background, achievements, and demonstrated or intended contribution. The evaluation process includes review by the appointed evaluation structures, enhanced due diligence conducted by the competent authorities, and the submission of a recommendation to the Minister for a final decision.
In accordance with Subsidiary Legislation 188.06, following the issuance of an approval in principle, applicants may proceed to submit a formal application for a certificate of citizenship by naturalisation on the basis of merit.
At this stage, applicants are generally required to demonstrate:
- A period of lawful residence in Malta, at least eight months;
- The holding or leasing of adequate residential property in Malta; and
- Evidence of exceptional service or contribution to Malta or to humanity, supported by an endorsement from a competent body;
- Confirmation of adequate knowledge of Maltese or English;
- Proof of all other ties created with the Republic of Malta as at that stage as proposed in the proposal letter.
Following submission of the formal application, the Evaluation Board reviews the case once again and submits its recommendation to the Minister responsible for citizenship. The final decision remains at the sole discretion of the Minister.
Where citizenship is granted, the applicant, together with any approved dependants, is required to take the Oath of Allegiance, following which a certificate of naturalisation is issued.
The Regulations allow for the inclusion of dependants, including spouses and minor children, as well as dependent children up to the age of 29, subject to eligibility and due-diligence requirements.
The Citizenship by Merit framework, governed by Subsidiary Legislation 188.06, provides for the discretionary grant of citizenship by naturalisation in exceptional cases assessed to be in the national interest.
