Malta ends citizenship by investment and keeps naturalisation by merit

According to the press release of the Maltese Ministry for Home Affairs of 16 July 2025, the amendment has three aims: to align the law with the judgment of the Court of Justice of the European Union in Case C-181/23 and to discontinue the "Granting of Citizenship for Exceptional Services" programme entirely; to strengthen the rules on merit-based citizenship in line with the Malta Vision 2050 strategy, with the emphasis on added value and job creation; and to uphold that the granting of citizenship is a national competence. Minister Byron Camilleri said that anyone who can offer an exceptional service or contribution may submit a proposal, which is considered through a rigorous process.

Under the new article 10(9), the Minister may grant a certificate of naturalisation by merit to an alien or stateless person who renders exceptional services or makes an exceptional contribution to Malta or to humanity, or whose naturalisation is of exceptional interest to Malta. The Act names scientists, researchers, athletes, artists, entrepreneurs, philanthropists and technologists as examples; dependants may also be naturalised. According to the notice of Aġenzija Komunità Malta of 2 September 2025, subsidiary legislation 188.06 sets out the process and requirements for naturalisation by merit.