From Dreams to Destinations
From Dreams to Destinations
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In April 2025, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled that Malta’s CBI program violated EU law. Following this decision, Malta officially closed the MEIN program in July 2025.
Now, new applicants can no longer get citizenship just by investing money.
In this article, we will share why the Malta Citizenship by Investment program closed, what the new citizenship and residency options are, and the best alternatives for investors.
Yes. The Maltese Government has officially ended the Granting of Citizenship for Exceptional Services programme for financial investments.
The Malta CBI program ran for 11 years and was the last European citizenship by investment scheme. It has now been replaced by a merit-based system. This system is for people who make special contributions in science, research, sports, arts, culture, business, or charity.
Malta’s Citizenship by Investment program, called the Exceptional Investor Naturalisation (MEIN), established in 2014, was one of the most popular ways to get European Union (EU) citizenship quickly.
For a financial contribution, applicants could get Maltese citizenship and EU citizenship within about 12-18 months.
The program offered visa-free travel to over 180 countries, the right to live, work, and study anywhere in the EU, as well as potential tax advantages.
Wealthy people from the United States, South Asia, and the Middle East were especially interested, who wanted more freedom to travel and global opportunities.
Malta’s Citizenship by Investment program has officially ended after a long legal process in the European Union. The case began in 2020, when the European Commission raised concerns that Malta’s program, which gave citizenship in exchange for investment, did not create a real link between applicants and the country. The EU said this weakened the idea of EU citizenship.
In June 2021, Malta changed its program after the EU raised concerns. The new rules allowed only 400 approvals per year. Investors had to live in Malta for at least 12 months before applying. They also needed to invest between €600,000 and €750,000, rent or buy a home, and donate €10,000 to charity. But the EU still said the program gave citizenship without a real connection to Malta.
By April 2022, the European Commission formally asked Malta to end the investor program. When Malta did not make enough changes, the case went to the European Court of Justice (ECJ) in September 2022. Malta defended its program, saying citizenship is a national matter and EU law does not control how countries give it.
The case continued through 2024. In June, the ECJ held a hearing. In October, Advocate General Anthony Michael Collins gave his opinion. His view was not binding but influential. He supported Malta, saying EU law does not require applicants to have a “genuine link” with the country.
On April 29, 2025, the ECJ gave its final judgment. The court ruled against Malta. It said granting citizenship only for investment breaks EU law, reduces trust among EU states, and risks turning EU citizenship into a commodity. Malta said it respected the ruling and would review its legal effects.
After this, Malta announced a new plan. On July 16, 2025, Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri introduced a draft law for citizenship by merit. This program will give citizenship to people who make exceptional contributions to Malta or humanity. These contributions may include science, innovation, arts, culture, entrepreneurship, and other areas that support Malta’s Vision 2050 strategy.
The sudden end of Malta’s Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program has left many applicants uncertain.
Here is a complete breakdown.
For applicants who submitted their applications before the program officially closed:
As of July 24, 2025, with the enactment of Act XXI of 2025, the legal framework supporting the CBI program has been removed. This means all pending applications no longer have a legal basis.
Applicants in process are no longer eligible under the old CBI rules. They must explore other paths, such as the new merit-based citizenship route or the standard naturalisation process, if they meet the requirements.
For people who already received Maltese citizenship through the CBI program:
The European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruling does not affect citizenship already granted. Holders keep their Maltese and EU citizenship, with all rights and privileges.
For dependents included in ongoing or past applications:
Dependents are considered with the main applicant. If the principal applicant received citizenship, dependents keep their status.
For pending applications, dependents must meet the new eligibility rules to pursue citizenship independently.
The Malta Citizenship by Merit program grants citizenship to people who have made exceptional contributions to Malta or humanity.
Applicants must show outstanding achievements in fields such as:
The process includes detailed due diligence checks and a residency requirement. Applicants must live in Malta for a specified period, usually around 36 months, and demonstrate proficiency in the Maltese language.
Partners and children can be included in the application. Each case is assessed individually.
Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri explained that anyone who can offer an exceptional service or contribution to Malta can submit a proposal.
Besides the Citizenship by Merit program, Malta still offers citizenship through naturalisation.
Applicants must have lived in Malta for at least 12 months immediately before applying. They must also have lived in Malta for a total of at least 4 years during the 6 years before those 12 months.
Applicants must provide references from two Maltese citizens who are not family members.
The first endorser should hold a recognized professional or official role. This can include a lawyer, doctor, civil servant, judge, priest, police officer, prosecutor, captain, magistrate, or notary.
The second endorser must be a Maltese citizen who is at least 18 years old and did not get citizenship through naturalization.
Applicants also must show a genuine connection to Malta. This includes being proficient in Maltese or English and understanding Maltese society and culture.
The pathway is for people who have long-term ties to Malta and want to get citizenship through integration.
For those who want to live in Malta without applying for citizenship, the Malta Permanent Residence Programme is a suitable option.
There are two ways to invest.
The first is the rent option. Applicants must rent a property for at least €14,000 per year for five years. Applicants also need to pay €60,000 to the government and donate €2,000 to a registered Maltese NGO.
The second is the property purchase option.
Applicants must purchase property worth at least €375,000 and keep it for five years. Applicants also need to pay €30,000 to the government and donate €2,000 to a Maltese NGO. The property cannot be rented out or subleased during this period.
Know more about Malta Residency by Investment
Many European countries still have residency by investment programs, also called Golden Visas. These programs do not give instant citizenship, but they open a path to long-term residence.
Golden Visa programs give access to the EU and Schengen region, and in some countries, they later lead to citizenship. Most of them allow family members, like a spouse and children, to join.
Caribbean countries have programs that remain the fastest way to get a second passport legally. The most well-known are:
Applicants usually choose between a non-refundable donation to the government or buying approved real estate. The minimum starts from $130,000 to $260,000, depending on the program.
Caribbean programs offer citizenship in just 2-6 months instead of years. There are no long residency requirements. Most of them allow family inclusion and also support dual citizenship.
Turkey is one of the most popular non-EU options because it can give citizenship quickly through real estate investment.
The minimum real estate investment is USD 400,000, and the property must be held for a set period. The process is usually quick, often completed within 6 months.
Turkey offers a fast route to citizenship and a passport that gives good regional travel access. Real estate can also bring returns through rental income or property value growth.
Know more about Turkey Citizenship by Investment
Yes. Malta officially ended its citizenship by investment program (MEIN) on July 24, 2025, with the new law Act XXI of 2025.
In Case C-181/23, the European Court of Justice ruled that Malta’s investor citizenship program broke EU law. It gave EU citizenship without real ties to Malta, which weakens trust and security within the EU. In response, Malta stopped its investment citizenship program.
The program violated Article 4(3) of the Treaty on European Union (TEU), which says EU countries must cooperate sincerely. It also violated Article 20 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), which explains EU citizenship rights.
Malta now has a citizenship-by-merit route. It is for people who make exceptional contributions to Malta or humanity. Eligible areas include science, research, technology, innovation, culture, the arts, sports, entrepreneurship, philanthropy, and public service.
Malta introduced the Citizenship by Merit program (Bill No. 140) to follow EU rules. This new program replaces the old Golden Passport scheme, which required a financial contribution. Instead of paying a fixed amount, this program focuses on people who make exceptional contributions to Malta.
Yes. Investors can still apply for the Maltese Golden Visa (PR) program. They can choose either the donation route or the real estate route.
No. High-net-worth investors who missed the chance cannot apply for Maltese citizenship by investment anymore.
Existing citizens keep their status. But pending applications under the old programs do not transfer to the new system.
The PR program still exists. Applicants can live and work in Malta through donation or real estate routes.
The Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) gives long-term residency without needing to stay in Malta continuously. Investors must rent or buy property, pay a contribution and administrative fee, and make a donation.
The Malta Golden Visa is a residency-by-investment program for non-EU investors who want Schengen access. By investing in real estate, you can get permanent residency for yourself and your family.
Malta Citizenship by Merit, on the other hand, is for people who can make exceptional contributions to Malta. Unlike the Golden Visa, there’s no fixed financial requirement.
Yes, but only through the new merit-based route or standard naturalisation. The old investment-based path is closed.
Since 2015, the program has brought in over €1.4 billion, funding national projects through Malta’s development and social funds.
Yes, Malta allows dual citizenship. But check the rules in your current country, as some countries don’t allow it.
Malta’s Citizenship by Investment program has ended, but you still have options. The new Citizenship by Merit and Permanent Residence programs let you live, work, and build a future in Malta.
The new citizenship rules can be complicated. With the proper guidance, you can avoid delays and mistakes on the application and pick the best pathway for you and your family.
WeRWealthy helps you explore Malta citizenship, Permanent Residence, and other global residency options. We guide you through every step to make the process smooth and successful.
Our expert-driven process is faster, easier, and completely hassle-free.