🇲🇹 Malta Citizenship by Descent

EU CITIZENSHIP · Southern Europe

Malta's 'Maltese by Descent' (MbD) pathway has no generation limit for descendants of Maltese emigrants. Full EU citizenship, English-speaking country, visa-free access to 190+ countries. Dual citizenship permitted. Distinct from Malta's expensive CBI program.

Overview

Malta's citizenship by descent pathway — known as 'Maltese by Descent' (MbD) — is governed by the Maltese Citizenship Act (Chapter 188) and the Maltese Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2020. The MbD pathway has no generation limit for descendants of Maltese emigrants — meaning even distant descendants can qualify provided they can document the lineage. This is distinct from Malta's controversial Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program, which requires a minimum donation of €600,000+. The MbD pathway is free (except for document costs) and does not require residency or language proficiency. The Maltese passport provides full EU citizenship and visa-free access to 190+ countries. Malta is an English-speaking country and a popular destination for digital nomads.

Step-by-Step Process

1. 1: Verify eligibility: confirm Maltese ancestor in your lineage chain — Family records research + Maltese civil registry · 1–4 weeks · ~$0
2. 2: Gather vital records: birth, marriage, and death certificates for yourself and all Maltese ancestors in the lineage chain — Local vital records + Maltese civil registry (Public Registry) · 4–12 weeks · $100–$400
3. 3: Obtain Maltese ancestor's civil registration records from the Maltese Public Registry — Maltese Public Registry (Valletta) · 4–12 weeks · €50–€200
4. 4: Have all foreign documents apostilled and officially translated into Maltese or English — Secretary of State office + certified translator · 4–8 weeks · $100–$400
5. 5: Submit application at Maltese embassy/consulate or Identity Malta Agency in Valletta — Maltese embassy/consulate or Identity Malta Agency (Valletta) · 1 day · €100–€500 application fee
6. 6: Application reviewed and citizenship registered — Identity Malta Agency · 6–18 months · None directly
7. 7: Apply for Maltese ID card and passport — Maltese embassy/consulate or in Malta · 4–8 weeks · ~€70–€100

Advantages

• No generation limit under the MbD pathway — any descendant of a Maltese emigrant may qualify
• Full EU citizenship — live, work, and study across all 27 EU member states
• English-speaking country — no language barrier for Anglophone applicants
• Dual citizenship permitted
• Malta passport ranks 5th globally with 190+ visa-free countries
• No residency requirement for the MbD pathway
• Schengen Area access — borderless travel across 27 European countries

Considerations

• Complex documentation for distant ancestry (no generation limit means potentially many generations to document)
• Malta's CBI program (separate from MbD) is expensive ($600K+) and controversial — do not confuse the two
• Maltese Public Registry records can be difficult to access from abroad
• Processing times of 6–18 months
• Malta is a small island with limited domestic job market

Requirements

• Applicant's birth certificate (apostilled)
• Birth, marriage, and death certificates for all Maltese ancestors in the lineage chain
• Maltese ancestor's civil registration records from the Maltese Public Registry
• Certified translations into Maltese or English of all foreign documents
• Apostille stamps on all foreign documents
• Completed application form
• Current valid passport (copy)
• Application fee (€100–€500)

Tax Considerations

Non-resident dual citizens are taxed by Malta only on Malta-sourced income and income remitted to Malta. Malta has a remittance-based tax system for non-domiciled residents — attractive for high earners. Tax residency is established by spending more than 183 days per year in Malta.

Frequently Asked Questions

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