Malta citizenship by exceptional merit: sourced answers
1 answer to specific questions — each with a verbatim quote from an official source and a link to it.
Every answer is checked against a verbatim quote from a stored copy of its source and has passed an independent review. This is reference information, not legal advice: rules change, and the outcome depends on your circumstances.
Citizenship, visa or residence programme
On what basis does the programme grant the status
Article 10(9) and the regulations provide three grounds: exceptional services to Malta or humanity; an exceptional contribution, including job creation; or naturalisation that is of exceptional interest to Malta
«Citizenship by Naturalisation on the Basis of Merit Legal Basis The Granting of Citizenship by Naturalisation on the Basis of Merit Regulations (Subsidiary Legislation 188.06) set out the statutory processes for a merit-based naturalisation under Article 10(9) of the Maltese Citizenship Act (Chapter 188). The legal framework provides that a person who renders an exceptional service to the Republic of Malta or to humanity, makes an exceptional contribution, or is of exceptional interest to Malta, may be eligible to acquire citizenship by merit. In this context, eligible applicants and their dependants may qualify for the granting of citizenship by merit through their exceptional contribution and services or exceptional interest in fields of science and research, technology, sport, entrepreneurship (including job creation), or culture and the arts, as well as philanthropy initiatives. The granting of citizenship on the basis of merit on such basis is discretionary and is treated on a case-by-case basis. The process is governed by robust due diligence and vetting procedures, in line with stringent compliance standards. …»
Source: komunita.gov.mt · source copy as of 2026-10-03
«MALTESE CITIZENSHIP [CAP. 188. 1 CHAPTER 188 MALTESE CITIZENSHIP ACT To provide for the acquisition, deprivation and renunc iation of citizenship of Malta and for purposes incidental to or connected with the matters aforesaid. 21st September, 1964 ACT XXX of 1965, as amended by Acts: II of 1970, XXXI of 1972, LVIII of 1974, XXXI of 1975, IX of 1977, XIII of 1983 , XXIV of 1989 , IV of 2000 and X of 2007 ; Legal Notice 410 of 2007; Act XV of 2013, XXIV of 2017, XXVI of 2017 , XV and XXXVIII of 2020 and XXI of 2025 . ARRANGEMENT OF ACT Articles Part I. Preliminary 1-2 Part II. Citizenship b y Naturalisation 3-7 Part III. Renunciation and Deprivation of Citizenship 8-10 Part IV . Supplemental 11-20 Part V . Provisions relating to Time 21-22 SCHEDULE Oath of allegiance 2 CAP . 188.] MALTESE CITIZENSHIP PRELIMINARY Short title. 1. The short title of this Act i s the Maltese Citizenship Act. Interpretation. Amended by: XXXI. 1972.2; XXIV . 1989.3; IV . 2000.3; XV . 2013.2; XXXVIII.2020.2; XXI.2025.2. 2. (1) In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires - "alien" means a person who is not a citizen of Malta; …»
Source: legislation.mt · source copy as of 2026-10-03
«GRANTING OF CITIZENSHIP BY NATURALISATION ON THE BASIS OF MERIT [S.L. 188.06 1 SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION 188.06 Substituted by: L.N. 159 of 2025. GRANTING OF CITIZENSHIP BY NATURALISATION ON THE BASIS OF MERIT REGULATIONS 20th November, 2020 LEGAL NOTICE 437 of 2020, as amended by Legal Notice 159 of 2025. Part I Preliminary Citation. Substituted by: L.N. 159 of 2025. 1.* The title of these regulations is the Granting of Citizenship by Naturalisation on the basis of Merit Regulations . Scope. Substituted by: L.N. 159 of 2025. Cap. 188. 2.† The scope of these regulations is to prescribe the requirements and to regulate the granting of citizenship by naturalisation on the basis of merit in accordance with article 10(9) of the Act. Interpretation. Substituted by: L.N. 159 of 2025. 3.‡ In these regulations, unless the context otherwise requires: Cap. 188."Act" means the Maltese Citizenship Act; S.L. 595.38."Agency" means the Community Malta Agency established by the Community Malta Agency (Establishment) Order; …»
Source: legislation.mt · source copy as of 2026-10-03
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