Malta immigration rule changes

Malta Citizenship by Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment: Malta amended the Citizenship Act, discontinuing the direct-investment citizenship route for new applicants and replacing it with a discretionary, merit-based exceptional-services naturalisation framework. No citizenship-by-investment programme now operates in the EU.

Malta Citizenship by Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment: Court of Justice of the EU (Grand Chamber) ruled in Case C-181/23 that Malta's investor-citizenship scheme (CES) is contrary to EU law, holding that EU citizenship cannot be acquired through a predetermined financial transaction without a genuine link.

Malta Citizenship by Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment: EU Commission infringement case (C-181/23) against Malta for alleged breach of EU citizenship rules remains active. Court of Justice of the EU ruling expected 2025–2026. Malta continues to accept and process applications while defending the program.

Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP): MPRP government contribution increased; property thresholds adjusted.

Malta Citizenship by Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment: European Court of Justice Advocate General issued opinion that Malta's program may breach EU law by effectively selling citizenship without genuine links. Malta disputed the characterisation and continues to operate the program.

Malta Citizenship by Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment: Programme renamed from Malta Individual Investor Programme (MIIP) to Citizenship by Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment (CES). MIIP closed to new applications. Contribution thresholds revised: €600,000 for 36-month residency, €750,000 for 12-month residency. Legal Notice 437 of 2020.