Applying for Malta Citizenship through Investment
Before submitting a Malta Citizenship Application, applicants for Citizenship by Investment are required to start a one year residence requirement (genuine link requirement) by visiting Malta to submit their biometrics and formally take up residence in Malta. At this stage, a deposit of €10,000 on account of the €750K contribution is due for the Main Applicant. Apart from this, residence card fees are to be paid as follows:
- €5,027.50 - Main Applicant
- €1,027.50 - Each Dependant
On completing the residence application with the assistance of a licensed immigration attorney, the licensed agent files a formal application for Maltese Citizenship by Investment known as the citizenship eligibility application, paying the due diligence fees and administrative fees:
- €15,000 - Main Applicant Due Diligence Fee
- €10,000 - Dependant Due Diligence Fee (over the age of 12)
- €1,000 - Administrative fee (per applicant)
Malta Citizenship Application Submission
On submission of the Malta citizenship eligibility application, the government agency performs due diligence checks and ensures the correctness and completeness of the application. During this stage, the agency may request further information and documents in forms of reports, to ensure all documentation needed to make a decision, is in the file. Once this is finalised, the Agency performs the third and fourth tier of due diligence and presents its findings to the Minister.
On the Minister's instructions, the Agency informs the licenced agent whether the applicant is eligible to apply for Maltese citizenship. After 12 months of residency, the agent submits the final citizenship application and subsequently the agency updates its due diligence and presents its final findings once again to the Minister. Once the citizenship has been granted, the applicant is to pay the contribution, make a philantrophic donation, and rent or buy a property within the applicable time frames.
On finalising all the requirements, the applicant is invited to come to Malta to take of the oath of allegiance and the certificates of naturalisation are issued.
Our Malta Citizenship Application Services
For over twenty years, our immigration lawyers have represented numerous individuals in applying for Maltese citizenship under various routes including citizenship by descent, citizenship by marriage, citizenship through adoption and citizenship by investment. Malta Citizenship Application services may only be offered via Licensed Agents and applications to Agenzija Komunita Malta are to be submitted only by an Licensed Agent.
The firm enjoys a sterling reputation in the areas of citizenship and residence planning and in the handling of legal and tax matters relevant to the structuring of personal wealth and business interests worldwide. The firm has been successfully handling citizenship applications, residence permits, and special tax status applications, for over 20 years.
Our Citizenship & Residence Planning team is led by partners Dr Jean-Philippe Chetcuti and Dr Priscilla Mifsud Parker.
- Dr Jean-Philippe Chetcuti acts as the firm’s managing partner and is a lawyer specalising in global citizenship and residency programmes, family office structuring, international tax, trusts and estate planning. He has advised some of the world's most accomplished ultra HNWIs and their family offices, lawyers, private banks and wealth managers.
- Dr Priscilla Mifsud-Parker is a private clients lawyer who heads the Families & Wealth and Corporate, Trusts & Fintech practice groups. She is a member of the Maltese Chamber of Advocates and is the Chairperson of the Society for Trusts and Estates Practitioners (STEP,) holding the position of Malta branch chair since 2020. She is licenced by Agenzija Komunita Malta to submit citizenship by investment applications and holds licence AKM-ACCA.
Our Malta Citizenship Application Services
Licensed Agent
Applications for Maltese Citizenship by Investment are to be made to and processed wholly by Agenzija Komunita Malta. Applicants must be represented by a Licensed Agent that is also a licensed Maltese Authorized Registered Mandatory (ARM). The programme imposes more responsibilities on agents to ensure the highest standards of quality are maintained throughout the application process, for the protection and benefit of applicants and the reputation of the Maltese citizenship by investment programme. Dr Priscilla Mifsud Parker is duly authorised to act as a licenced agent in terms of the Agents (Licences) Regulations, 2020 (L.N. 435 of 2020) and bound by the “Licence Agreement and Code of Conduct and Ethics for Agents” entered into with Community Malta Agency.
Application Stage
We offer the services of:
- advising you on your chances of success before filing your application;
- providing you with pre-immigration legal and tax advice;
- guiding you with the preparation and forwarding of the necessary documentation;
- vetting and preparing all supporting documentation for submission;
- corresponding and liaising with the government authorities on your behalf during the application process;
- keeping you informed with the progress of your application;
- 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.
Why Chetcuti Cauchi
The law firm is a leader in investment migration law and advises international families on all aspects of taxation, citizenship and residence law. The law firm's Maltese citizenship law practice is lead by immigration lawyer Dr Jean-Philippe Chetcuti and senior partner Dr Priscilla Mifsud Partner.
Law Firm
- Chetcuti Cauchi Advocates is a law firm bound by professional secrecy: lawyer-client privilege is fully protected under Maltese law,
- The law firm covers the full spectrum of private client law services.
Quality Service
- Full partner attention on all matters.
- Full concierge services available in a friendly and personalised environment.
- Full-service multi-disciplinary law firm specialising in the use of Malta in international legal and tax planning, company & trust formation & management.
Experience
- Chetcuti Cauchi enjoys a sterling reputation in the areas of citizenship and residence planning and in the handling of legal and tax matters relevant to the structuring and planning of personal wealth and personal interests and business worldwide.
- Over twenty years’ experience in citizenship and residency applications, specialising exclusively on Malta in an international context.
- An outstanding success rate in residence and citizenship applications, through an honest professional assessment of applicants prior to filing and a problem solving approach.
