How to obtain the citizenship of Malta? How much does the nationality of Malta cost?

The island state of Malta with its favorable position in the Mediterranean, a warm climate, ancient culture and a high standard of living is attractive not only for tourists. Recently, more and more wealthy foreigners dream of becoming citizens of this European country. What gives the former citadel of the Knights of the Order of Malta such an attractive force for contemporaries?

This country, whose population is only four hundred and fifty thousand people (as in a small regional center of Russia), since 2004 is a full member of the European Union. In addition, her subjects enjoy benefits in the UK. Thus, the citizenship of Malta gives the right to travel unhindered throughout Europe. Moreover, it is possible to travel even for the United States of America, since an agreement on visa-free entry has been signed between the two countries.

A short digression into the history

This little note is necessary to understand why the Maltese citizenship laws constantly state the dates "from September 1964 to August 1989". Earlier the island was a colony of Great Britain. Since 1964, a new independent state has emerged in the political arena - Malta. But the citizens of the island nation did not lose the status of subjects of the British Commonwealth of Nations. And those of them who have kinship ties along a straight line with the British, generally can have two passports - an independent country and an old metropolis. Until July 31, 1989, there was a law under which Maltese citizenship was granted by right of territory. That is, every baby born on the island automatically became a citizen of the country. In order to prevent a migrant from entering the country in large numbers on demolitions, the government changed the law. Now, citizenship is automatically granted by right of blood.

How to obtain Maltese citizenship

There are several ways of having a country's citizenship. The first of them (we already mentioned it) is automatic, at birth. This means that every child, regardless of where he saw the light, becomes a Maltese if at least one of his parents is a citizen of Malta. It is interesting that until the year 2000 only the position of the child's father was taken into account. But then the legislation changed in favor of equality of the sexes. Now the children of the Maltive, born outside the island, whose fathers are not citizens of the country, can be naturalized by registration. This procedure does not require a residence permit or permanent residence on the island. It can be passed in any embassy of Malta without any linkages with accommodation. In addition to the consulates of the country abroad, registration can be made in the Department of Affairs of Expatriation and Citizenship on the island.

Marriage

There are other ways to become a full-fledged resident of the country. It's a marriage with a citizen of Malta. But this is a troublesome business. It is necessary to confirm the joint residence for five years and only after that get the passport of the citizen of the country. Too long to wait? But this happy five-year period can be lived anywhere: at least in Russia, at least in Malta, even in a third state.

Naturalization

Another way to get citizenship of the country is naturalization due to a long stay on the island. De jure requires five years of legal residence with the status of residence permit or permanent resident, but de facto all eighteen, which is six years more than in selective Switzerland. The minister of the Ministry of Internal Affairs is engaged in all questions on naturalization, that is, the entry into the citizenship of Malta. In practice, this authority gives a positive answer only if it is claimed by a person with refugee status or granted asylum for humanitarian reasons. It is noteworthy that the denial of naturalization is not issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Justice, but by the director of the strange institution "Citizenship and Expatriate Affairs".

Maltese Citizenship for Investment

Let's go, as they say, on the other side. Since the beginning of the world economic crisis, some states have come up with how to replenish the national budget. Even before Malta entered the euro area (2008 ), it sold the status of permanent resident (permanent resident). For this purpose, a foreigner must meet the following criteria:

- its minimum income should be at least twenty-five thousand euros per year;

- own cash in the amount of four hundred thousand euros;

- during the first year of stay in the status he undertakes to purchase real estate on the island for an amount not less than 75 thousand euros or to lease one, paying at least two and a half thousand euros per year.

In addition, the applicant for permanent resident status is obliged to declare the sources of his income and regularly pay taxes. In return, the state of Malta provides him with such bonuses:

- without any visas to enter and leave the country;

- to live on the island or outside it without time restrictions;

- obtain visas to all states that have embassies in Malta;

- tax benefits for income transferred to the country.

Citizenship through investment

What does it mean? Recently, Malta sells citizenship. On October 31, 2013, the government launched a program to attract foreign investors. According to her, the naturalization procedure looks even easier than in the case of a permanent resident. You need to buy real estate, open an account in the Maltese bank with a round amount on it, pay taxes. A significant one-time financial injection will allow you to obtain a passport of a citizen of Malta in an accelerated mode.

It should be said that this country is a full member of the European Union, despite the fact that it joined this association only on May 1, 2004. This means that the citizens of Malta are not subject to the Transitional Provisions limiting the movement of labor, as, for example, in Central Europe. Thus, the residents of the country can work without hindrance in any power of the European Union.

How much is it?

Initially, the government program provided for a simple investment infusion amounting to 65 thousand euros. But later the bill was finalized. How much is the nationality of Malta at the moment? Consider. The head of the family must pay 65 thousand for himself and 25 000 for each member of the family (spouse and minor children). Further, the main applicant will be forced to buy real estate in Malta. Its cost is also clearly regulated: from 150 to 350 thousand euros. Next, you need to open an account in the Maltese bank, which put 14 thousand. Well, the annual tax will be 4,200 conventional units per year. A newly registered citizen signs an obligation to purchase securities worth 150,000 euros for five years.

Do we need to get out of Russian citizenship?

On 10 February 2000, Malta adopted a law that repeals the requirement of a single nationality. Now nationals can have two and three passports of different powers. As is known, in Russian laws there is also no ban on dual citizenship. There is no need to sign an obligation to refuse a Russian passport. The entry into the citizenship of Malta through investment does not provide for either compulsory residence on the island's territory, nor knowledge of Maltese or English languages, nor any other requirements other than financial obligations.