(Commonwealth_Europe) Malta‘s approach to granting citizenship has seen fluctuations over the years, with a notable increase in numbers in recent times. As of 2024, the country has granted citizenship to 2,795 individuals, surpassing the 2,652 granted in 2023. The number of people acquiring Maltese nationality has slightly increased, but it still falls short of the peak of 3,610 individuals granted citizenship in 2018. In 2017, Malta granted 3,186 citizenships, a significant increase from the 2,125 granted the previous year. The most pronounced increases in citizenship grants occurred between 2014 and 2016, with Malta awarding 902, 949, and 2,125 citizenships in those years, respectively. The year 2016 also saw a jump of over 1,000 granted citizenships compared to the previous year.
Malta offers several pathways to citizenship, catering to a wide range of applicants. One of the primary methods is through descent, where individuals can claim Maltese citizenship if they can trace their ancestry to the country. The Maltese Citizenship Act (Chapter 188) outlines the criteria for obtaining citizenship through descent, as well as other routes, such as naturalization and marriage. These routes offer flexible options for individuals with Maltese heritage or connections to the country through marriage.
Another prominent option is through naturalization, which typically involves a long-term residence requirement, although it can be expedited for certain applicants. The Individual Investor Program (IIP), commonly referred to as the Golden Passport Program, allows wealthy foreigners to acquire citizenship in exchange for a significant financial investment in Malta. This program has been one of the most talked-about citizenship routes in recent years, especially because of its controversial nature. While the scheme offers an attractive opportunity for foreign investors, it has attracted criticism due to concerns over transparency and the potential for abuse. People have linked the program to issues like money laundering and corruption, leading to calls for its termination.
Despite these concerns, the Golden Passport Program remains an option for foreign nationals seeking to secure Maltese citizenship. The European Union has expressed concern over the implications of such programs, especially after EU Advocate General Michael Collins stated that EU countries have the right to sell citizenship through such schemes, as long as they maintain rigorous integrity standards. However, critics, including Eka Rostomashvili of Transparency International, warn that the continued use of such programs could have wider implications. Rostomashvili noted that a ruling in favor of Malta’s Golden Passport program could encourage other EU countries to reintroduce similar schemes, potentially undermining global anti-corruption efforts.
Rostomashvili expressed concerns that the resurgence of these programs could transform EU citizenship into a commodity accessible to the wealthy. She argues that this could result in citizenship no longer serving as a privilege for those with genuine ties to a country, but instead serving as a tool for the wealthy to secure access to the European Union. The potential for such schemes to weaken the EU’s efforts to combat corruption has led to calls for stricter regulations and the termination of the Golden Passport Program altogether.
In the face of such criticisms, Malta has been under pressure to reform its citizenship policies. As the country continues to navigate the complex landscape of citizenship acquisition, the balance between attracting foreign investment and maintaining the integrity of its legal and political system remains a contentious issue. With concerns about money laundering, corruption, and the erosion of democratic values, the future of Malta’s citizenship-by-investment programs remains uncertain. It is clear, however, that the debate surrounding these programs is far from over, with critics and supporters alike continuing to make their voices heard.
