Insights
Europe has long been a magnet for high-net-worth individuals seeking secure investment opportunities in real estate, business ventures, and more. Additionally, European countries provide a high standard of living, world-class healthcare, and exceptional education institutions.
Gaining access to the European market can open doors to many economic opportunities and benefits. These factors make Europe an attractive destination for investors.
Furthermore, with uncertainty arising from shifting political alliances, unstable regimes, and potential epidemics, accessing EU citizenship by investment has become essential for individuals seeking the best investment opportunities. In particular, Malta's citizenship is beneficial since it offers both a safe and luxurious lifestyle. Moreover, it grants access to the rest of the European market as a consumer or business leader.
In this article, we will explain EU citizenship by Investment in the context of Malta, why Malta is ideal for investors, and the application process for obtaining it.
EU citizenship by investment is a process through which high-net-worth individuals can acquire citizenship in an EU country by making a significant financial investment. This can include investments in real estate, government bonds, or local businesses. The primary advantage of this route is the expedited path to citizenship, which typically bypasses lengthy residency requirements. By investing in an EU country, individuals gain the security and stability of EU citizenship, access to a vast market, diverse business opportunities, and the ability to live, work, and travel freely within the EU.
For business-minded individuals seeking European citizenship, Malta offers the best option for long-term security. While all EU countries provide access to European Union rights, Malta stands out for several reasons:
With this citizenship, you will have a safe environment in which your family can live and where you can do business. The region is safer compared to the rest of the world. In particular, Malta is a safe and stable country where you can build your life and business with no worries. Reports demonstrate that Malta has a low crime rate of 0.38, which has consistently decreased over the past few years. So, you could apply for Malta citizenship as a plan B should there be an issue in your home country.
In light of the EU’s trading freedoms, conducting business in this region with this citizenship is easier. Once you have Malta citizenship, you can transfer goods and capital and establish services throughout the union. With this citizenship, you would also experience no wealth, net worth, or inheritance tax. You would only need to pay tax if you spend more than 183 days in the country, and your capital gains tax would only be 12%. As for the house you may purchase to receive this citizenship, you could resell it after 5 years, and there would be no tax on that sale.
With this citizenship, you will be able to live permanently in the region. Your family will then have access to some of the most luxurious attractions and favourite tourist spots.
For instance, you could take your yacht to Malta's wondrous blue lagoons, turning every outing into a vacation. In addition, the country has clean air, which makes it a more comfortable place to live in. According to reports, the country is even in the top 20 in terms of health care.
This country offers family inclusion as part of its citizenship process. Therefore, your family, including your spouse, children under 18, dependent children under 26, and grandparents over 55, can also receive this citizenship.
You may access this citizenship in four different ways. Yet, not all of these paths are accessible since they depend on your situation.
In general, the following routes toward Malta citizenship:
For your purposes, the investment route is most likely the most effective option since it is faster than naturalization. It requires you to make an investment totalling between $763,600 and $1,592,600 (€700,000 – €1,460,000).
The below table outlines Malta's investment options that you will need to maintain for 5 years:
| Contribution | Cost |
| Residential Owned Property | $763,300 (€700,000) |
| Residential Leased Property | $17,400 (€16,000) a year |
Before you can go through the citizenship application steps, you first need to know the requirements you must meet. The following criteria are required for investment citizenship:
One of the quickest paths to a European passport is through Malta. The process can take 4 – 18 months. You can further simplify this process with the help of an agent to whom you will give power of attorney. However, you first need to legally reside in the country with a permit for at least 12 months.
Then, you will need to go through the following steps:
To begin applying for this citizenship, you will need to collect the required documentation.
When you have all your documents, a Maltese Consul must sign them before you can submit them.
After the Maltese Consul has signed your documents, you will need to receive your residency card. You will receive it after you have purchased your residence. If you opt to fast-track this process, you can even receive it in a week.
With your residency card sorted, you must submit your application and documents to Identity Malta.
Now that you have handed over your application, you will need to pay the fees for the government to process your application and conduct due diligence. Administrative fees are $1,000 (€1,000) per applicant. Meanwhile, due diligence has the following fee structure:
| Individual | Fee |
| Main Applicant | $16,400 (€15,000) |
| Dependent Applicant | $10,900 (€10,000) |
| Sponsor/Benefactor | $16,400 (€10,000) |
Weeks to months after paying the fees, you may receive an 'In Principle' approval. While this is not your official citizenship, it gives you permission to proceed with your application.
Once you have the approval, you will need to make your contribution within the next 25 days.
Finally, you will submit proof of your health insurance and declare allegiance. Then, you should receive your passport. However, you will still need to reside in the country for at least 12 months.
Portugal is the easiest European Citizenship by Investment to receive. The process of applying for this citizenship is straightforward, and you can select multiple investments. It also takes only 5 years and 3 months to go through the residency process and reach the citizenship stage.
The strongest European passport is Spain. Their passport is strong because it allows their citizens to travel to most countries with the least restrictions. This passport allows you to tour 190+ countries with no visa.
Estonia's citizenship is the hardest EU citizenship to obtain. As much as this country has avenues to access residence, getting this citizenship is particularly difficult. You need to pass language and history tests and live in the country for 8 years, 5 of which must be continuous.
Acquiring EU citizenship by investment, especially Malta citizenship, is elementary and relatively quick. This highly sought-after citizenship starts with obtaining a residence. Then, you will need to meet the requirements for citizenship and opt for the Citizenship for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment.
Considering the variety of investment options, you are better off with the advice of experts such as Vancis Capital. Consult their experts across the world to understand your investment migration options and select the right one for you.
Get in touch to discuss how we can help you with your citizenship or residency by investment goals. One of our investment migration experts will contact you to discuss your case. With over 16 years of combined experience our team has helped hundreds of families achieve freedom.
