Maltese Citizenship by Descent can be acquired on the basis of the birth in Malta of an ascendant and his/her parent, upon making the apposite application and taking the oath of allegiance.
Grounds for Eligibility for Maltese Citizenship by Descent
By virtue of the 2007 amendments to the Maltese Citizenship Act, more persons of Maltese descent became eligible for Maltese citizenship by registration. A person born outside Malta who proves that he is a descendant in the direct line of an ascendant born in Malta of a parent also born in Malta shall be entitled to be registered as a citizen of Malta. In this case there is no residency requirement. Moreover, if the applicant has parents or grandparents who are still alive and are also direct descendants themselves, they would also have to apply for Maltese citizenship as otherwise Maltese citizenship link would have been broken.
Ineligibility for Maltese Citizenship by Registration
An important provision found in the Maltese Citizenship Act holds that if the parent of an applicant was alive on 1st August 2007 and dies after 1st August 2010 without applying for Maltese citizenship, the link is broken and the applicant loses the right to apply. If any of the ascendants died before 1st August 2007 or if the parent of the applicant dies within three years from this date without applying for citizenship, he or she would still be deemed to have acquired citizenship, safeguarding the right to Maltese Citizenship by Descent.
Maltese Citizenship by Descent: Stateless Persons
The law also provides for other modes of acquiring Maltese Citizenship by Descent:
Under the Maltese Citizenship Act, where a person is of full age and capacity and happens to be a citizen of a country other than that in which he or she resides, and whose access to the country of which he or she is a citizen is restricted, may acquire Maltese citizenship if he proves descent from a person born in Malta. This is subject to the Minister’s opinion that the grant is not contrary to the public interest.
Where a person is and has always been stateless and happens to have been born in Malta may also be granted Maltese citizenship if he or she has been ordinarily resident in Malta for a period of five years at the time of the application. The applicant must not have been convicted in any country of an offence against the security of the state or sentenced in any country to a punishment restrictive of personal liberty for a term of not less than five years.
Alternatives to Citizenship by Descent
Not eligible for Maltese citizen by descendent? Apply for Maltese Citizenship by investing in Malta - here is how to apply for Maltese Citizen by Investment.
Alternatively, not a national of the EU, EEA or Switzerland? Apply for annually renewable residency in Malta - here is how to apply for the Malta Global Residence Programme.
If you want residency in Malta for life for a one-time government fee, here is how to apply for the Malta Permanent Residence Programme.
Our Citizenship by Descent Services
For over 20 years, we have been a foremost citizenship and naturalisation law firm, assisting hundreds of individuals and families naturalise as Maltese citizens. We have extensive experience representing individuals reclaim their Maltese citizenship, take up residency in Malta or set up wealth structures and family offices.
We offer the following services in relationship to Malta Citizenship by Descent
- advising you on your eligibility and your chances of success before filing your application;
- providing you with pre-immigration tax advice and ongoing tax advice;
- guiding you with the preparation and forwarding of the necessary documentation;
- vetting and preparing all supporting documentation for submission;
- assisting you with the purchase / rental of property in Malta including applications for AIP permits (foreigners need AIP permit to purchase property in Malta), reviews of your contract, liaising with the notary.
