Passport Rank
10
In recent years, Malta has become increasingly popular as a destination for retirees and people looking for a second home. As a result, the Maltese government has introduced a number of visa and residency options for foreigners. The most popular of these is the Malta Permanent Residence visa, which allows foreigners to live and work in Malta indefinitely.
Malta's Global Residence Programme is designed to attract foreign individuals who are seeking a Malta residency permit. The programme offers a number of benefits, including a favourable tax regime, Malta residency visas, and access to Malta's healthcare system. Applicant must be in receipt of a stable income from sources outside of Malta, and must also be able to demonstrate that they have sufficient resources to support themselves and their dependents.
The applicant owns or leases a qualifying owned home or qualifying rented property that is occupied as the individual's primary residence globally. Immovable property located in Malta other than the south of Malta: EUR275,000 or rent of EUR9,600 per year OR Immovable property located in the south of Malta: EUR220,000 or rent of EUR8,750 per year OR Gozo: EUR250,000 or rent of EUR8,750 per year
5 years
Purchase of lease property + Donation to the National Development and Social Fund. Property: 700,000 EUR or 18,000 EUR in rent a year(property)AND Donation: 600,000 EUR (3y residence) or 750,000 EUR (1y residence)+ 50,000 EUR per dependents AND Donation: 10,000 EUR.
The Malta Permanent Residence Programme is a programme that allows non-EU/EEA and non- Swiss nationals to obtain a Malta permanent residence permit.
Acquisition or leasing of real estate. If the property is located in the south of Malta or Gozo, the property value must be at least €310,000. If the property is located anywhere else in Malta, the property value must be at least €350,000. If the rented property is located in the south of Malta or Gozo, the yearly rent value must be at least €10,000; if the property is located elsewhere in Malta, the annual rent value must be at least €12,000.
According to the SovSpot Passport Ranking Index, the Maltese passport is presently ranked 10th. It allows people to travel to 187 countries without needing a visa. As a result, it is one of the world's most sought passports, having a very high mobility score. Visa-free and visa-on-arrival access is available to Maltese passport holders in countries such as Brazil, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, and the entire European Union, allowing for nearly quick travel around the world. Maltese passport holders, on the other hand, need a visa to visit around 42 countries throughout the world. China, India, and Oman are among the countries that require a visa.
10
187
The number of countries Malta passport holders can enter without a visa (i.e. visa-free countries) is added to the number of countries Malta passport holders can enter by obtaining a visa on arrival (i.e. visa-on-arrival countries) or an electronic travel authorization (i.e. visa-on-arrival countries) (eTA). There are now 143 visa-free countries for Malta passport holders, 32 visa-on-arrival countries for Malta passport holders, and 12 eTA destinations. Malta passport holders can visit a total of 187 countries without a visa, via a visa on arrival, or using an eTA. As a result, Malta's passport is ranked number ten in the world. Apart from the visa-free and visa-on-arrival countries, Malta passport holders are required to obtain a physical visa or an eVisa to visit 42 other countries (i.e. visa required countries).
You can apply for Malta citizenship if one of your parents or grandparents is a Maltese citizen. In addition, Malta has liberalized its citizenship laws in this regard since 2007. For instance, if you were born outside of Malta but can prove that you have a parent and grandmother (from the same direct line) who were born in Malta, you only need to register as a citizen.
However, you are not eligible for citizenship by descent in Malta if your parent passed away after August 1, 2010 without applying for citizenship. However, if your parent passed away before August 1, 2007, or three years after this date without applying for citizenship themselves, they would still be regarded an eligible citizen, allowing you to apply for Maltese citizenship.
Note: Keep in mind that the costs for citizenship by descent applications can vary and depend on many factors, such as:
* In the case of first generation citizenship by descent, we assumed ONLY administration costs, which will be around $100 or less (usually free if application is done in the same country versus foreign embassy or consulate)