Malta:

Sovereignty: Commonwealth member country. Malta is a Republic whose parliamentary system and public administration is closely modeled on the Westminster system.

Location: Malta is a southern European country in the Mediterranean Sea, located 80km (50 mi) south of Sicily, 284 km (176 mi) east of Tunisia and 333 km (207 mi) north of Libya.

It consists of three islands: Malta, Gozo and Comino, of which Malta is the largest island. Gozo is more rural compared to Comino and known for its scenic hills. There are many beaches on the island, as well as seaside resorts that are popular with tourists and locals alike. The most popular are Marsalforn and Xlendi Bay. Gozo is considered one of the top diving destinations in the Mediterranean and a center for water sports.

Government Type: A Parliamentary Republic.

Interesting facts: Malta has a multitude of historic and cultural gems. The sunny weather and idyllic beaches remain a main draw for tourists. There are the obvious popular sandy beaches as well as the rugged but no less beautiful rocky coasts.

Malta is one of the countries with the highest number of sunshine hours per year in Europe, double of many cities in the north of the region. Malta has an average of more than 5 hours of sunshine per day in December to over 12 hours of sunshine in July adding up to around 3,000 hours of sunshine a year. Malta has a Subtropical–Mediterranean climate (Köppen climate classification Csa), with very mild winters and warm to hot summers. Rain occurs mainly in winter, with summer being generally dry. According to ‘International Living’, Malta is the country with the best climate in the world.

Population: A population of 453,000 and a land area of 316 km2. Native Maltese people make up the majority of the island. However, there are minorities, the largest of which are Britons, many of whom are retirees.

Demographics: Maltese are descendants of ancient Carthaginians and Phoenicians, with Mediterranean heritage.

Religion: 98% Roman Catholic.

Economy: Although Malta’s economy is the smallest in the Euro zone, it is classified as an advanced economy according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The strongest sectors of the economy are: Foreign Trade, Manufacturing, Tourism, Medical Tourism and Film Production. Well-trained workers, low labour costs, and membership in the EU attract foreign investment. Globally, Malta ranks sixth in Foreign Direct Investment and is among the top twenty countries most likely to sustain economic growth over the medium and long term.

The economy is also dependent on the human resources and foreign trade. Malta’s economy is practically driven by financial services, tourism, real estate,  and manufacturing, particularly of electronics. Other significant sectors are pharmaceuticals, information technology, and call centers. Malta’s banks have total assets worth more than 7 times the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), making it a very economically secure nation with the second largest banking sector in the euro zone.

Programme Details:

• Malta Citizenship by Investment Program is known as the Individual Investor Program (IIP).
• Malta investor citizenship program has an immaculate reputation and the World’s strictest due diligence standards.
• Addressed at non-EU citizens who do not avail themselves of other tax exile schemes and property acquisition programs.
• This program is targeted for Ultra HNWIs of good reputation.
• Strict Due Diligence is required and is administered on a case-by-case basis and according to the number of family members.  The Malta IIP is aimed at ultra HNWIs and their families worldwide.  It offers citizenship in a EU  Member State that is stable, neutral and high respected through an efficient application process, and the world’s strictest due diligence standards and vetting of applicants, thus ensuring only high respectable clients will be admitted.
• Applicant should be medically fit.
• The minimum contribution levels to the National Development Fund must be met in the initial phase of the program and have been set as follows:
  • €650,000 for the principle applicant
  • €25,000 for the spouse and each child under 18 years of age
  • €50,000 for children over 18 but less than 25 years of age (single status)
  • €50,000 for each dependent parent and grandparent  above 55 years of age

Programme Conditions:

• A one-time programme that would take in a total of 1,800 applicants only and then it will be shut down permanently. The Individual Investor Programme Malta is strictly capped at 1,800 applicants, making it the most exclusive citizenship scheme available.
• Lease of an apartment for a minimum annual rent of €16,000 for a period of 5 years OR a purchase of a property in Malta for a minimum of €350,000 with a must hold period of 5 years.
• An investment of €150,000 in stocks, bonds, debenture, etc for a period of 5 years.
• Present evidence that the main applicant and dependents are covered by a global health insurance policy.
• Present evidence that the main applicant has been resident of Malta for at least 12 months preceding the day of the issuing of the certificate of naturalization.
• A personal interview is not mandatory but may be recommended by Identity Malta on a case by case basis.
• The processing time would be not less than 6 months but no longer than 2 years.
• All Malta immigration applicants that are at least 18 years old are required to take an Oath of Allegiance in order to receive Malta citizenship, 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 in order to finalize the process of becoming an EU citizen.

The following contributions shall be required as a minimum to qualify for citizenship under the programme:

(a) Main applicant: €650,000 (Six Hundred and Fifty Thousand Euros), of which a non-refundable payment of €10,000 (Ten Thousand Euros) shall be remitted as a non-refundable deposit prior to submission of the application

(b) Spouse: €25,000 (Twenty Five Thousand Euros)

(c) For each and every child below 18 years of age: €25,000 (Twenty Five Thousand Euros)

(d) For each and every unmarried child between 18 years of age and 26 years of age: €50,000 (Fifty Thousand Euros)

(e) For each and every dependent parent above 55 years of age: €50,000 (Fifty Thousand Euros)

The non-refundable government payments to be made at the time of the application are:

• The €10,000 down payment out of the contribution amount (which would be deducted from the total contribution amount at the time of approval).
• Due Diligence Fees of €7,500 for the main applicant and €4,000 for the spouse.

Program Advantages:

• Successful candidates will be granted citizenship in Malta by a Certificate of Naturalization, which can also be extended to include their families. Once a candidate is awarded Malta citizenship, which includes EU citizenship, they have the right of establishment in all 28 EU countries and Switzerland. They also have the ability to set up business in Malta, and can get a Malta passport enabling them to enjoy visa-free travel to more than 160 countries across the World including the United States.
• EU freedom of movement treaties permit Maltese citizens to live, work, and study in any other European Union country including Switzerland.
• Easy to integrate as mostly English speaking.
• Good medical facilities .
• High standard of living but at a most affordable cost.
• Safe environment for children.
• Attractive tax regime. Residents of Malta and who are not domiciled in Malta are taxable on a remittance basis.
• Participating in the Maltese citizenship program will give future generations of your family increased educational opportunities in the West.
• Visa free travel within Schengen states.
• People who acquire Maltese citizenship via the Individual Investor Programme can vote in political elections provided they have been resident in the country for 6 of the past 18 months.