While citizenship remains a matter of national competence of
individual member states of the European Union, Malta has today secured Europe’s
blessing of the
Malta Citizenship Scheme. The Individual Investor Programme is expected
to attract significant investment to Malta through the grant of citizenship to
applicants on the basis of their proven good standing, an investment in Malta and
a contribution to the National Social and Development Fund of Malta.
Malta-EU agreement on Maltese Citizenship Programme
After a series of negotiations carried out today, Malta and
the European Commission have reached an agreement on the Individual Investor
Programme,
Malta’s citizenship by investment programme. The European Commission’s endorsement of the revised
citizenship programme has been welcomed by the
Maltese Government and
Opposition and various stakeholders. The
Head of the European Commission, Vivienne Reding who had voiced its concern
over the original scheme has welcomed this breakthrough, stating that the European
Commission is committed to ensure that member states with similar programmes to
Malta’s adhere to the necessary requirements.
12 Month Malta Residency Requirement
The feature that has secured the European Commission’s
approval is the minimum residency requirement of 12 months, after which
citizenship would be granted to the applicant. This minimum residency requirement
commences on date of property purchase or rental by the citizenship
candidate. This does not mean that an
applicant needs to spend 365 days. In
fact, the factual basis of residence under Maltese law is 183 days. This or other evidence of an intention to reside for that particular year are sufficient to satisfy this requirement.
Maltese Citizenship Resources:
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