Recent Policy & Legal Developments

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Malta’s investment migration framework has undergone significant evolution in recent years, particularly following increased EU scrutiny and global demands for transparency in citizenship-by-investment (CBI) programs. In 2020, Malta suspended its long-standing Individual Investor Programme (IIP) and introduced a new initiative: the "Maltese Citizenship by Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment" (CES). This program, while retaining many structural features of its predecessor, introduced stricter due diligence and longer residency timelines to align with EU best practices.

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As of July 2023, further refinements were enacted through Legal Notice 437 of 2020, which codifies the regulations for CES. Notably, the minimum donation amount was maintained at €600,000 for applicants seeking citizenship after 36 months of residency, and €750,000 for applicants pursuing the 12-month fast-track route. A real estate investment of at least €700,000 (or a rental contract of €16,000/year for five years) is also mandatory, alongside a charitable donation of €10,000 to a Maltese NGO.

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In parallel, Malta’s Residency Malta Agency (formerly Identity Malta) has restructured operations to streamline application reviews, increase transparency, and enhance applicant guidance. Regulatory updates in 2024 have also emphasized stricter anti-money laundering (AML) enforcement and increased audit authority for third-party agents.

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The changes reflect Malta’s strategic alignment with EU regulations and its intent to preserve the credibility of its investment migration brand.

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