Ever since the grant of citizenship by investment was established, the initiative generated the amount of €1,130,825,000 in gross contributions made by the applicants to the government of Malta, of which €616,427,599 were transferred to the NDSF, and €388,529,774 were transferred to the Consolidated Fund. These figures were released according to the press release from by the Parliamentary Secretariat for Citizenship and Communities
A total amount of over €1.8 million were donated by successful applicants of the IIP programme to local NGOs till the end of the year 2021. These NGOs vary, and include; the Archdiocese of Malta, religious entities, entities working to safeguard animals, band clubs, cultural endeavours, environmental causes, various local councils, initiatives related to music, sport clubs, the President’s Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society, departments pertaining to the University of Malta, and entities working towards equality and women’s rights.
The Granting of Citizenship by Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment is regulated by the Granting of Citizenship for Exceptional Services Regulations (S.L. 188.06).
The requisites for filing an investment application are:
- Provide a proof of residence in Malta for a period of thirty six (36) months, provided that this period may by exception be reduced to a minimum of twelve (12) months, subject to an exceptional direct investment (of six hundred thousand euro [€600,000] and seven hundred fifty thousand euro [€750,000] respectively), to be effected prior the issue of the certificate of naturalisation;
- Purchase an immovable residential property in Malta having a minimum value of seven hundred thousand euro (€700,000) or take on a lease a residential immovable property in Malta for a minimum annual rent of sixteen thousand euro (€16,000), which property shall be adequate and suitable for the applicant and his dependants, for a minimum period of five (5) years from the date of issue of the certificate of citizenship;
- Carry out an exceptional direct investment in Malta, in accordance with the Granting of Citizenship for Exceptional Services Regulations (S.L. 188.06); and
- Donate, prior to the issue of the certificate of naturalisation, a minimum of ten thousand euro (€10,000) to a registered philanthropic, cultural, sport, scientific, animal welfare or artistic non-governmental organisation or society, or as otherwise approved by the Agency.
Prospective applicants are required to be physically in Malta and build connecting factors during the residence period. These requirements shall be satisfied by providing documented proof. It is required that the applicant presents to the Agency his proposal on how he intends to create these connecting factors when presenting the eligibility application.
Applicants who are nationals of or have close ties to the following listed countries shall not be eligible to apply under the Granting of Citizenship for Exceptional Services Regulations (S.L. 188.06). These countries are: Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Iran, North Korea, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen.
The Community Malta Agency (the Agency) is a Government Agency established through Community Malta Agency (Establishment) Order (S.L. 595.38) which is responsible for administering all Maltese citizenship-related matters. This includes accepting and processing applications for the acquisition of Maltese citizenship by birth, by registration, by naturalisation through long term residence, for exceptional services by merit, and for exceptional services by direct investment in Malta. The Agency is also responsible for the carrying out of an in-depth due diligence process on each and every application, and putting forward recommendations to the Government regarding the granting of citizenship. Mr Joseph Mizzi has been appointed New Chief Executive Officer of Community Malta Agency.
