Freedom is the most valuable luxury that an individual can have. Relocating to Malta can open doors to a lifetime of incredible experiences and an unprecedented quality of life.

Whilst researching how to become a resident or citizen of Malta, you have probably come across a volume of (potentially conflicting) information. To help you out, we’ve condensed the most essential points in one concise article that distills facts from myths.

Are the Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) and the Malta Citizenship for Exceptional Services Regulations (CES) still available?

The short answer is yes, both of Malta’s residence and citizenship by investment programmes are available to all third country nationals hailing from non-sanctioned countries.

Individuals with a clean criminal record that comply with the established residency, investment and Malta Government contribution requirements can initiate their application process.

Do the MPRP and the CES have lengthy processing periods?

This is a myth. The two schemes have been structured in a manner that balances rigorousness with efficiency.

The MPRP features a four-tier due diligence process with the promise of a 4 to 6 month processing period from the moment of submission of a complete and correct application.

A successful CES application allows for Maltese citizenship by naturalisation to the applicant, and as a result, is subject to a meticulous due diligence procedure. Nonetheless, the total time-window under these regulations is restricted to a minimum of either 12 or 36 months. It is up to the applicant to determine their desired choice of minimum residency out of the two options.

In either case, it is essential to work with an Approved Agent that is licensed by the Community Malta Agency. Apart from being a legal requirement, this not only ensures the best possible application with full guidance throughout, but it also ensures that the overall turnaround time is the most efficient.

How strong is the Maltese passport?

The Maltese passport is regarded as one of the strongest passports in the world.

A Maltese passport provides visa-free travel to 185 destinations, giving the holder excellent mobility options. Indeed, the country's passport has just been ranked among the top 10 passports globally.

Is it true that Malta's investment migration schemes rank highly?

This is a well-established fact.

Malta's investment migration options consistently rank highly among the world's top programmes. The country's citizenship by investment programme has been ranked as this year's top programme worldwide, while the Malta Permanent Residence Programme ranked among the top 5 globally.

What are the benefits of residing in Malta?

Over the years, Malta has gained and retained an excellent reputation for the lifestyle it offers. Apart from being a safe, sun-soaked Mediterranean paradise; it offers state-of-the-art medical infrastructure, European-quality educational facilities ranging from pre-school to postgraduate levels and consolidated iGaming and fintech sectors.

This is coupled with the fact that English is one of the country's two official languages and it is widely used in all spheres of life.

Obtaining permanent residence or citizenship in Malta unlocks visa-free travel within the Schengen area and beyond, the possibility to explore investment opportunities in Malta and Europe, and access to free high-quality healthcare.

Ready to take the next step towards your freedom?

Dr Russell Attard Baldacchino is an experienced and warranted investment migration attorney in Malta. Available to help you identify the optimal relocation solution, whilst assisting and representing you throughout the process.

Ready to move across the Pond? 👉 Connect with Dr. Russel today!