Apply for Malta Investment Citizenship via the ESDI Programme
At MaltaInvestmentCitizenship.com we specialize in helping non-EU, non-EEA, and non-Swiss national investors and their families apply for Maltese citizenship under the Citizenship by Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment (ESDI) programme.
✅ Full Maltese citizenship for you and your family (*subject to eligibility and residence requirements.)
✅ Visa-free travel to 190+ countries once citizenship has been granted.
✅ Add spouse, children, parents, grandparents
✅ Hold dual citizenship (subject to your country’s laws)
Book a free consultation to check your eligibility
What Is the ESDI Programme?
The Citizenship by Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment (ESDI) is Malta’s sole government-regulated route that links investment with naturalisation.
Under Subsidiary Legislation 188.06 and administered by the Community Malta Agency, it lets eligible non-EU, non-EEA, and non-Swiss nationals obtain Maltese citizenship after:
Maintaining legal residence in Malta for 12 or 36 months (applicant’s choice)
Making a qualifying economic contribution, property commitment, and philanthropic donation
Passing the programme’s multi-tier due-diligence process
In short, ESDI combines residence, investment, and rigorous vetting to offer a structured path to Maltese citizenship.
Benefits of Maltese Citizenship
✅ Visa-free access to 190+ countries: Travel freely to the UK, Schengen Area, and other key destinations.
✅ Dual citizenship allowed: Malta permits multiple nationalities, depending on your home country’s laws.
✅ Citizenship for future generations: Once granted, citizenship can be passed down to your children.
✅ Healthcare and education access: Benefit from Malta’s public healthcare and education systems.
✅ Family included in one application: Include your spouse, unmarried dependent children up to 28, and dependent parents or grandparents.
✅ Gain Maltese citizenship: which carries the rights and obligations granted to Maltese nationals under EU law
Who Can Apply?
The ESDI programme is available to:
- Non-EU, non-EEA, and non-Swiss nationals
- Individuals with a clean criminal record and good standing
- Applicants who first obtain legal residence in Malta
- Applicants who meet the financial, property, and donation requirements
- Those who complete a 12- or 36-month residency period in Malta before applying for citizenship
Dependents You Can Include:
- Spouse or de facto partner
- Unmarried children up to age 28 (inclusive)
- Parents and grandparents (must be financially dependent)
Investment Requirements
1. Exceptional Direct Investment in the Maltese Economy
€600,000 → if holding legal residency for 36 months
€750,000 → if holding legal residency for 12 months
2. Property Commitment
Buy a property worth at least €700,000
OR
Lease a property for at least €16,000/year
Property must be held for 5 years
3. Philanthropic Donation
€10,000 donation to a registered Maltese NGO
4. Government Fees and Processing Costs
The total government-related fees vary depending on the number of applicants and are typically paid in stages:
- €15,000 due diligence fee for the main applicant
- €10,000 non-refundable deposit at the residence stage (credited toward investment total)
- €1,000 administrative fee per applicant at the eligibility stage
- €500 administrative fee per applicant at the citizenship stage
Note: These fees are non-refundable and apply separately from the main investment and property commitments. Additional fees apply for dependants and passport issuance.
5. Additional Dependents
€50,000 contribution per additional family member
(Spouse, unmarried dependent children up to 28, or financially dependent parents/grandparents)
Timeline & Process
The full process typically takes 15–18 months and includes:
- Residency Stage (1–2 months)
- Apply for and obtain a residence card
- Visit Malta for biometric registration
- Eligibility Assessment (9–10 months)
- Submit documentation
- Undergo four-tier due diligence
- Receive formal approval of eligibility
- Citizenship Application (3–4 months)
- Submit investment documentation
- Await approval in principle
- Complete property and donation commitments
- Citizenship Approval (1–2 months)
- Visit Malta to take the Oath of Allegiance
- Receive your Certificate of Naturalisation
- Apply for a Maltese passport
Legal and Compliance Notes
Applicants must hold a valid residence status in Malta for 12 or 36 months before applying for citizenship.
A 14-day physical visit to Malta is required during the residency period.
Most financial commitments are made after approval of eligibility, minimizing upfront risk.
The programme is not a tax incentive. Applicants are taxed like any other Maltese citizen based on residence and domicile.
Malta allows dual citizenship, but applicants must check if their country of origin permits it.
Frequently Asked Questions
You start by applying for a residence permit specifically under the ESDI programme. This is issued by the Community Malta Agency and is valid for either 12 or 36 months, depending on the investment route you choose.
No. You are not required to reside full-time in Malta. However, a 14-day consecutive visit is mandatory during your residency period to establish a genuine link with the country.
No. The main investment is paid only after you pass due diligence and receive approval in principle. Upfront costs are limited to legal fees, application charges, and a small initial deposit.
No. The ESDI residence permit is a special permit issued only for applicants pursuing citizenship under the ESDI regulations. It does not grant long-term residency or lead to permanent residence on its own.
The residence permit is temporary and conditional. If you don’t complete the required steps (due diligence, investment, etc.), your application will be closed, and your permit will expire.
Your Path to Maltese Citizenship Starts Here
Gain Maltese citizenship and enjoy visa-free travel to 190 + destinations, including the entire Schengen Area. Our team guides you through every step of the ESDI process in collaboration with a licensed agent.