Malta Citizenship by Investment: Why It Closed and What Replaced It (2026)

In short

Malta's investment-based citizenship programme is closed to new applicants. The EU Court of Justice ruled against it on 29 April 2025 and Malta amended its Citizenship Act on 24 July 2025. A separate discretionary citizenship by merit route now exists, without a fixed investment or payment. Citizenship already granted remains valid.

What happened to Malta citizenship by investment?

On 29 April 2025, the Court of Justice of the European Union ruled in Commission v Malta (Case C-181/23) that Malta's investment-based naturalisation scheme breached EU law. The court objected to a transactional route to Maltese and therefore EU citizenship based on predetermined payments or investments. Read the court judgment.

On 24 July 2025, Malta amended its Citizenship Act through Act XXI of 2025. The former investment-based scheme, commonly called MEIN or Exceptional Services by Direct Investment, is not open to new applicants. Malta's Community Malta Agency statement explains the change. Citizenship already granted remains valid. Existing individual cases and any legal questions should be checked with the authority rather than treated as new applications.

What was the old Malta citizenship programme?

Historical programme only: Applicants under the former rules had to meet residence, vetting and property requirements as well as make a prescribed contribution and donation. The old headline contribution was €750,000 after a 12-month residence pathway or €600,000 after a 36-month pathway. A €10,000 charitable donation and either qualifying property purchase or lease were additional. These were not all-in costs and none of these amounts is a current price for Maltese citizenship.

The retired cost guide described further historical expenses: the property purchase threshold was €700,000 or a lease of €16,000 annually for five years, alongside administrative, due diligence and professional fees. Those figures help explain past programme costs, not an offer available today. Do not pay an intermediary for a purported new MEIN application.

How does Malta citizenship by merit work?

Citizenship by naturalisation on the basis of merit is discretionary and assessed case by case. Malta considers exceptional service or contributions in science, technology, arts, sport, entrepreneurship including job creation and philanthropy. A person submits a proposal supported by evidence of achievements and proposed contributions for assessment and due diligence. Wealth or a payment alone does not qualify anyone. There is no published fixed investment, payment or guaranteed timetable replacing MEIN.

See the Community Malta Agency's merit guidance for the process. Applicants should obtain current advice on eligibility and costs directly from the responsible authority.

What are the alternatives?

If your aim is residence in Malta, read the Malta Permanent Residence Programme guide. This is a residence route, not automatic citizenship and it does not provide unrestricted rights to live across the EU.

If your aim is citizenship through investment, see the guide to active citizenship by investment programmes. Eligibility, pricing, vetting and travel rights differ by country. Do not assume any other country's passport provides Maltese or EU citizenship rights.

Frequently asked questions

Can I still apply for Malta citizenship through MEIN?

No. New applications for investment-based citizenship are no longer accepted following the 2025 court ruling and legislative amendment.

Is Malta citizenship by merit a replacement investment programme?

No. Merit naturalisation is discretionary and based on exceptional contributions or services, not a fixed payment or property purchase.

Are Maltese passports already granted under MEIN still valid?

Yes. Citizenships already granted remain valid. Individual legal circumstances should be confirmed with Malta's citizenship authority.

How much did Malta's former programme cost?

Historically the contribution was €600,000 or €750,000 depending on the residence pathway. The donation, property, government fees and professional costs were additional. These are historical figures only.

Does Malta permanent residence automatically lead to citizenship?

No. Residence and nationality are separate statuses with different legal requirements.

Sources

• Court of Justice of the EU, Commission v Malta (C-181/23)
• Community Malta Agency, 2025 legislative amendment
• Community Malta Agency, citizenship by merit guidance

Reviewed September 2026. Rules and individual eligibility should be confirmed with the responsible authorities.