IMMIGRATION TO MALTA – CITIZENSHIP
Citizenship by Investment Malta
Introduced at the beginning of 2014, the Malta Individual Investor Programme (IIP) offers high and ultra-high net worth individuals and families worldwide citizenship in a highly respected EU Member Country. Malta has been a member of the European Union since 2004, enjoys a stable political climate, bi-partisan political scene, growing economy, and has some of the soundest banks in the world. The Malta IIP is the first investment citizenship program of its kind to be recognized by the European Commission, and the executive body of the European Union has formally acknowledged the legality of the program paving the way for its success
Citizenship by Investment Malta
Financial Contribution . All individuals and families applying to the Malta Individual Investor Program must make a significant non-refundable contribution to the National Development and Social Fund set up by the Government of Malta and run by a board of trustees. The fund, which is on the same level as the central bank, finances projects in the country linked to public health, education, job creation, social improvement, and innovation. The following contributions must be made within four months of being issued a Malta IIP Letter of Approval in Principle:
Main applicant - €650,000
Spouse - €25,000
Minor children - €25,000 each
Children 18-26 (unmarried) - €50,000 each
Dependent parents & grandparents - €50,000 each
Adult children (physically or mentally challenged) - €50,000 each
European Union
Immigration Malta - Citizenship, Malta became a full member of the European Union in 2004. EU freedom of movement treaties permit Maltese citizens to live, work, and study in any other European Union country including Switzerland. This means that people with Malta passports are allowed to move to Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom (UK).
Schengen Area
Malta has been a member of the Schengen Area of Europe since 2007. This allows a Maltese citizen to travel to 26 European countries without going through any border control. Countries that make up the borderless area include EU members Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, England (Great Britain), Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden, as well as the four European Free Trade Association (EFTA) member states of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. Individuals that hold a passport from any Schengen Area country can visit any other country in the borderless area without the inconvenience of a border check.
Citizenship by Investment Malta
Tax Consequences of Citizenship in Malta
Obtaining European citizenship by investment through the Malta investor program does not have any tax consequences! Even if an individual moves their primary residence to Malta, they can retain the status of a "non-domiciled" person and therefore have an extremely advantageous tax exposure. Candidates that become a resident of Malta but are not domiciled in the country are only required to pay tax on any income they earn or receive in the country. Malta has no municipal taxes, no estate duty, no death or inheritance taxes, and no wealth or net worth taxes. Malta also has double taxation treaties with approximately 60 countries around the world. The corporate tax rate in Malta is 35%, but special tax concessions apply to non-resident or non-domiciled company owners.
Dual Citizenship Malta
Individuals that obtain a second citizenship by investment are not required by Maltese law to renounce their existing citizenship. Malta has no restrictions on holding dual nationality, in fact, the nation's Citizenship Act specifically provides that Malta dual citizenship is permitted, but your current country of citizenship may have restrictions that prohibit you from possessing a Malta second passport.
Is Malta Investment Citizenship Permanent?
Malta citizenship through investment is granted by a Certificate of Naturalization, and once you obtain EU citizenship via the Malta Individual Investor Program you will have it forever and can even pass it on to future generations.
Maltese Citizenship for Investors with Financial Assets Denominated in U.S. Dollars
Now is a great time to participate in the Malta citizenship by investment program if you are holding a significant amount of U.S. dollar-denominated assets. When the Malta economic citizenship program was first announced in early 2014, the euro was significantly stronger than the American dollar. At this time, the EUR 650,000 minimum contribution amount was close to USD $900,000. As of 2018, however, the American dollar has strengthened compared to the euro and the required donation of EUR 650,000 is presently closer to USD $800,000. Consequently, the Malta second citizenship program is currently more affordable for investors holding much of their wealth in assets that are denominated in U.S. dollars.
How to Get Malta Citizenship
Many people interested in European citizenship by investment research the subject online, determine they are a good fit for the Malta Individual Investor Program, but then are unsure how to apply for Maltese citizenship through investment. Applying for Maltese citizenship on your own is not possible. Under the requirements of the Malta IIP or MIIP, a prospective applicant is obliged to use a concessionaire or Accredited Agent in order to get the application process started. This means the ONLY way to apply for the Malta citizenship program is through an Accredited Person, so contacting one of these exclusively certified individuals to learn more about the program is the best way to initiate the Maltese citizenship application procedure.
Biometric Data
All Malta citizenship scheme applicants, with the exception of children under six years old, must at some point visit in person a Maltese embassy or the Malta Passport Office in Valletta to give their biometrics. Biometrics include facial features as well as the scanning of fingerprints for applicants aged 12 and above. Biometric data that is given as part of the Malta citizenship by investment application process can be stored for as long as six months.
Oath of Allegiance
All Malta immigration applicants that are at least 18 years old are required to take an Oath of Allegiance in order to officially receive citizenship of Malta, provided they have the capacity to do so. This oath must be taken in person, so all successful candidates of the Malta citizenship scheme must visit the country to finalize the process of becoming an EU citizen.
Is Malta Safe to Invest In?
Malta is a republic with a parliamentary democracy system and is highly respected and considered neutral on the international stage. Malta's banks have total assets worth more than seven times the country's gross domestic product (GDP), making it a very economically secure nation with the second largest banking sector in the Eurozone. Unlike many neighboring EU countries, Malta has an excellent credit rating (BBB+) and their government bonds are in high demand amongst both professional and retail bond investors.
Malta withstood the "great recession" remarkably well with the country's housing price index never dropping by more than 5% in a year including in 2008 and 2009 when other European real estate markets were crushed. The country has also never imposed a tax on deposits in Maltese banks, dissimilar to nearby Cyprus who imposed a one-time tax levy in 2013 which included offshore bank accounts. As part of the former British Empire, Malta's financial system was built from the ground up with a solid foundation and has proven to be both robust and stable even while other European nations have faced major economic challenges. Not only did the Maltese economy weather the European financial crisis exceptionally well, it is now one of the leading economies in the Eurozone.
According to the country's National Statistics Office, the Malta economy expanded by more than 3% last year. The European Commission is currently forecasting that the Maltese economy will expand by more than 5% in 2018, making it one of the top economies in the entire EU during this period. The economists and reporters of the "Global Wealth Migration Review" recently reported that Malta experienced the second largest wealth growth of any country in 2017, behind only India and tied with China. Every new high-net-worth individual (HNWI) that becomes a citizen of Malta via the I.I.P. will help grow the local economy. The nation's safe and stable economy is just one of the many reasons why the Malta Individual Investor Program is a secure and strategic investment.
Malta Residence & Visa Programme
The Most Advantageous EU Residency by Investment Programme.
The Malta Residence & Visa Programme (MRVP) provides an opportunity to non-EU residents to reside, settle or stay permanently in Malta – a fully-fledged EU state, and thereby travel freely within the EU Schengen Area.
Access for Beneficiary & Dependants to the Schengen Area.
Acquisition of Indefinite Residency.
Live in a country with a moderate cost of living.
A Residency card provides you direct access to apply for a work permit.
Application open to the entire family including parents and grandparents of spouse and beneficiary.
A safe place with a very stable economy.
A place where there is political stability.
Access to high level educational institutions.
Access to renowned English schools.
Access to a multi-cultural environment that accepts diversity.
Respect for LGBTIQ rights.
Great Place for Entertainment – All ages (3D & 4D cinemas, Beautiful sandy beaches, casinos, discos, theatres, water fun parks, VIP clubs, bowling centres, Go-carting, Marsa Sports Club (with golf, tennis courts, squash, etc.), museums, heritage sites.
Great Yachting Industry - Malta's popularity as a yachting destination is reflected in the continuous expansion of its yacht marinas. High level of service and dedication operating within the Super Yacht industry in Malta - an integrated service for all your Yachting requirements.
Medical Tourism - a very popular destination where medical standards meet and exceed European requirements. Seek excellent healthcare while enjoying the beauty of this island.
Some Facts & Figures
FITCH recently updated Malta’s credit rating to ‘A+’ with a stable outlook. FITCH said the Maltese economy was outperforming its eurozone peers;
Malta is also outperforming EU Member States in terms of GDP growth and employment - Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth was at 7.7% for the third quarter of 2017 – the average growth across the EU stood at 2.6% for this same quarter according to Eurostat, the EU’s statistical agency;
Low unemployment, currently at around 4.1% – is one of the lowest rates within the E.U.;
Malta ranks as one of the best destination for many expats.
Investing or establishing a Business
- Very easy to set up a business;
- Island strategically located at the centre of the Mediterranean Sea;
- Pro-business Government with easy access to decision makers;
- Availability of International Finance Centers;
- Excellent ICT infrastructure;
- Advantageous corporate tax systems;
- Strong work ethics and high productivity levels;
- Easy access to and strong diplomatic and trade relations with North Africa and the Middle East;
- Great Filming Industry;
- More than 250 foreign companies have already invested in Malta and are operating in the country;
- There are 76 double taxation treaties between Malta and third countries;
- Malta has the largest ship register in the European Union;
- The Construction industry is booming – great return on investment;
- Malta is fast becoming a leading global financial services industry;
- The new aviation park will establish Malta as a leader in the aircraft maintenance industry;
Acquire a Residency Visa in Four Months.
Check the Malta company registrations
Malta Company Formations - Maltese Company Benefits
Malta Company Formations - Maltese Company Benefits, Trading Companies in Malta provide the ideal platform for the establishment of international trading activities and can be a useful base for a European business due low tax rates.
