Immigration services in Malta

The investment scheme was closed by the Court of Justice of the EU in 2025. What remains is discretionary naturalisation for exceptional services — we assess the chances of your case individually.

Property + government contribution.

Remote income.

High qualifications. Fast-tracked residence permit.

A temporary permit combining a work licence and a residence permit: it gives the right to live and work lawfully in Malta for a set period of more than 6 months, with the possibility of renewal. The legal basis is Subsidiary Legislation 217.17. Holders of refugee status, of subsidiary or temporary humanitarian protection, and persons awaiting a decision on an immigration case cannot obtain a Single Permit. Where SL 217.17 is not met, the application is refused without refund of the payments.

A residence permit for third-country nationals enrolled at an institution licensed by the National Commission for Higher Education on a full-time programme leading to a higher education qualification. The form is filed through the Identità Expatriates Portal.

A route governed by Subsidiary Legislation 217.06: a third-country national lawfully resident in Malta may bring family members over from abroad. For those who do not fall under the standard family reunification rules there is a separate Family Members Policy — relatives may be brought over on an ex-gratia basis where the conditions of the policy are met. Check the requirements for the sponsor (length of residence, income, accommodation, health insurance) in SL 217.06 and in the requirements checklist on the Identità website.

EU long-term resident status for third-country nationals lawfully and continuously resident in Malta.

Maltese citizenship is acquired by birth, by descent, by naturalisation or by registration. IMPORTANT: Identità does not run the citizenship procedure — it issues the identity card once citizenship has been granted. The citizenship/dual citizenship certificate is issued by Aġenzija Komunità Malta, and that is where you should turn for the conditions and the residence periods required for naturalisation. The residence periods required are not set out on this page — they should be checked with Aġenzija Komunità Malta.