The “Individual Investor Program of the Republic of Malta” (IIP) is the citizenship by investment scheme, which allows naturalising individuals and their families if they contribute to the “economic and social development of Malta”. It is interesting to know that this is the only investor’s immigration solution approved by the European Commission, after a lengthy legal process.

Advantages of the Maltese citizenship, according to the official brochure of the Identity Malta:

  • Visa-free travel to more than 160 countries in the world
  • Possible tax planning benefits
  • Dependence on more than one passport
  • Personal security
  • Looking for a stable political system
  • Good quality of life
  • Better education for children

More advantages, according to my subjective opinion:

  • Friendly local people
  • Malta is a Member State of the European Union
  • Malta is close to the South Mediterranean countries
  • Malta is an English speaking country
  • Malta is an affordable business hub

The Necessary Amount of Investment for the Maltese Citizenship

As primary requisites (besides the investment), the applicants must be at least adults (18 years old) and must reside in Malta at least one year before obtaining the certificate of naturalisation.

As the investment, the candidates must satisfy the following investment requisites:

  • Real Estate
    1. Purchase of a residential real estate with a minimum value of EUR 350,000 and must maintain the investment for at least five years.
    2. Rent a residential property for five years; the annual rent must be at least 16,000 euros.
    The property cannot be rented for other people.
  • Contribution
    Contribute to the National Development and Social Fund 650,000 euros. (The donation covers the primary applicant and the dependants)
  • Investment
    Purchase of bonds, stocks or other special purpose vehicles, identified by the Identity Malta. The minimum amount of this investment is 150,000 EUR and must be maintained for at least five years.
  • Insurance
    The applicants also must have a Global Health Insurance for at least 50,000 euros, which must cover the dependants as well.

Who can be included in the application for the IIP?

  • Spouse
  • Dependants 18 years old or under
  • Dependants between 18-26 years old, who are not married and the primary applicant must support them, and they form part of the household
  • Dependants older than 55 years (e.g. parents) who form part of the household and are wholly supported by the primary applicant

According to the official site of the Individual Investor Program, the costs for the participants during the process are the followings in 2018:

Spouse: €25,000
Each Dependant child aged 0-17: €25,000
Each Dependant child aged 18-26: €50,000
Each Dependant aged 55 or above: €50,000

Due Diligence Fees
Principal applicant: €7,500
Spouse: €5,000
Each Dependant child aged 13-17: €3,000
Each Dependant child aged 18-26: €5,000
Each Dependant aged 55 or above: €5,000

Passport Fees
per person: €500

Bank Charges
per application: €200

Necessary documents for the Maltese citizenship by investment program

  • Police clearance certificate
  • Proof of residence (for twelve months before the naturalisation process)
  • Medical certificate
  • Affidavit of support for the other applicants (dependants) older than 18 years
  • Oath of Allegiance for all applicants older than 18 years

The Maltese Individual Investor Programme is an evident success. Even the Brexiteers from the UK bought Maltese citizenships to keep an EU passport, just in case. From 2014, until December 2017, the investor’s immigration scheme contributed €363,245,398 into the National Development and Social Fund. Meanwhile and it is essential and practical information: the investors on average spend 2,5 times more on the qualifying properties. It means (on average)that the new Maltese citizens bought their residential real estates for €767,047.15 per property.

Meanwhile, the number of successful applicants may reach the original 1800 cap, according to my information the government already plans to extend the program or create a second but definitely more expensive scheme.

According to the legal framework, only authorised and registered agents may process any applications for the Malta Individual Investor Program. I am not one of them. However, I work with several agents and helped two different agencies to obtain the permit.