As the first EU-approved Citizenship by Investment Programme, the Individual Investor Programme (IIP) of the Republic of Malta grants citizenship to applicants who invested and contributed to the economic and social development of Malta.
Here are the reasons why we believe Malta’s IIP is the best citizenship by investment program in the world:
Gateway to European Citizenship
One of the most desirable benefits of a Maltese passport is that it also grants you EU citizenship as well as unrestricted access to the Schengen Area.
EU citizenship comes with several benefits, such as being able to live, work, study in any of the 28 EU countries, Norway, Iceland, Switzerland & Liechtenstein.
Additionally, like most other EU passport, a Maltese passport is a high-quality travel document that offers visa-free travel to over 182 countries, including EU, USA, Canada.
Stability and opportunity
When becoming a Maltese Citizen through investment, your family can become Maltese citizens for life and your citizenship is passed down through generations by descent.
Malta is a safe and stable country booming with business opportunities which became the fastest growing economy in the EU in 2019 and 2020 according to the European Commission.
Malta’s economy is broadly diversified, from microchip production to financial services, from highly specialised currency printing to digital gaming, from tourism to blockchain-related enterprises, with Malta being the first country in the world to regulate this sector.
Unemployment levels are among the three lowest in Europe and have broken its all-time low record for three years in a row. Malta had registered a fiscal surplus for two years in a row, and the debt to GDP ratio has fallen from above 70% to around 50% in five years.
High standard in education and Healthcare
Malta provides universal free healthcare, universal free childcare, one of the few countries in the world to provide it, and universal free education for all its citizens.
Malta mostly follows the British curriculum and boasts a very highly rated education system with English and Maltese spoken in the classroom and on the playground.
Healthcare in Malta has a long and rich history starting in Valletta in 1575. From this history, its excellence and advancements persisted. Today, Malta ranks among the best in the world by the World Health Organization.
Malta has both private and public healthcare systems. Maltese and EU nationals obtain healthcare, free of charge, at a government-funded polyclinic/Health Center or hospital. EU Nationals can also attend private clinics and pay out of pocket or through private insurance.
Tax-friendly
With no wealth taxes and a low cost of living, Malta enjoys an attractive tax regime.
Furthermore, the basis for taxation under the Maltese tax system is based on domicile and residency, not citizenship. The grant of Maltese citizenship to a non-domiciliary of Malta does not of itself, cause the beneficiary to acquire a new domicile of choice in Malta.
Therefore Malta’s residency tax regime for those holding Maltese citizenship implements source and remittance-based taxation only. Wealth tax or inheritance tax for citizenship by investment holders does not apply, and there is no asset reporting.
A non-resident citizen of Malta is only taxable in Malta on Maltese source income.
Alas, Maltese citizens are free to reside in any jurisdiction to optimise their tax burden.
Fast track to mobility
The Malta IIP grants European citizenship within 12 months. In a matter of 2-3 weeks of submitting a Malta Citizenship application, applicants receive e-Residence Cards granting Maltese residency with full Schengen rights.
The efficient application process ensures a fast-track were citizenship is approved after 4 months of processing time. Passports are issued up to 12 months from the date of initial residency.
Once citizenship is granted, the new Maltese citizens enjoy full rights, as well as access to 182 countries visa-free including UK, USA and Canada.
Programme Requirements
The Malta Citizenship by Investment Scheme is aimed at ultra-high net worth persons. Individual investors are required to contribute at least €650,000 to Malta’s National Development and Social Fund. The Fund finances major projects of national importance. It also funds social and capital projects of public interest, linked to community and economic welfare of the State such as education, research, health care, justice, public services, enterprise and business, innovation and job creation.
