The island state of Malta with its favorable position in the Mediterranean Sea, a warm climate, ancient culture and high standard of living is attractive not only for tourists. Recently, more and more wealthy foreigners dream of becoming citizens of this European country. What gives the former stronghold of the Knights of Malta order of such attraction to contemporaries?
This country, whose population is only four hundred and fifty thousand people (as in the small regional center of Russia), has been a full member of the European Union since 2004. In addition, her subjects enjoy benefits in the UK. Thus, the citizenship of Malta gives the right to travel freely throughout Europe. Moreover, you can even travel around the United States of America, since an agreement on visa-free entry has been signed between the two countries.
A short digression into history
This short reference is needed to understand why Malta’s citizenship laws constantly indicate dates “from September 1964 until August 1989.” Previously, the island was a colony of Great Britain. Since 1964, a new independent state appeared in the political arena - Malta. But citizens of the island nation did not lose the status of subjects of the British Commonwealth of Nations. And those of them who have kinship in a direct line with the British, generally can have two passports - an independent country and the old metropolis. Until July 31, 1989, a law was in force according to which citizenship of Malta was granted under the law of the territory. That is, every baby born on the island automatically became a citizen of the country. To prevent the mass migration of migrants to demolition in Malta, the government changed the law. Now citizenship is automatically granted by blood right.
How to get Malta citizenship
There are several ways to have citizenship of a country. The first of them (we already mentioned it) is automatic, at birth. This means that every child, no matter where he saw the light of the day, becomes a Maltese if at least one of his parents is a citizen of Malta. Interestingly, until 2000, only the position of the father of the child was taken into account. But then the legislation changed in favor of gender equality. Maltese children born outside the island, whose fathers are not citizens of the country, can now be naturalized by registration. This procedure does not require a residence permit or permanent residence on the island. It can be passed at any embassy of Malta without any link to accommodation. In addition to the country's consulates abroad, registration can also be issued at the Department of Expatriation and Citizenship Affairs on the island.
Marriage
There are other ways to become a full-fledged resident of the country. This is a marriage with a citizen of Malta. But this thing is troublesome. It is necessary to confirm cohabitation for five years and only after that get a passport of a citizen of the country. Too long to wait? But this happy five-year plan can be lived anywhere: even in Russia, even in Malta, even in a third state.
Naturalization
Another way to obtain citizenship is naturalization due to long-term residence on the island. De jure, it takes five years of legal residence with the status of a residence permit or permanent resident, but de facto - all eighteen, which is six years more than in picky Switzerland. All issues of naturalization, that is, the entry into the citizenship of Malta, are handled by the Minister of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. In practice, this authority gives a positive answer only when a person with refugee status or asylum seeks humanitarian reasons. It is noteworthy that the denial of naturalization is issued not by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Justice, but by the director of the strange institution Citizenship and Expatriate Affairs.
Malta citizenship for investment
Let’s go, as they say, from the other side. Since the beginning of the global economic crisis, some states have come up with how to replenish the national budget. Even before Malta entered the euro area (2008), it sold the status of permanent resident (permanent resident). For this, a foreigner must meet the following criteria:
- his minimum income should be at least twenty-five thousand euros per year;
- own cash capital in the amount of four hundred thousand euros;
- during the first year of being in the status, he undertakes to purchase real estate on the island in the amount of at least 75 thousand euros or to rent one, paying at least two and a half thousand euros per year.
In addition, the applicant for permanent resident status is obligated to declare the sources of his income and regularly pay taxes. In return, the state of Malta provides him with such bonuses:
- enter and leave the country without any visas;
- live on the island or beyond without time limits;
- get visas to all states that have embassies in Malta;
- tax incentives for income transferred to the country.
Citizenship through investment
What does it mean? Recently, Malta has been selling citizenship. On October 31, 2013, the government launched a program to attract foreign investors. According to her, the naturalization procedure looks even easier than in the case of a permanent resident. You need to buy real estate, open an account with a round sum in it in a Maltese bank, pay taxes. A significant one-time financial infusion will allow you to get a passport of a citizen of Malta in an accelerated mode.
It should be said that this country is a full member of the European Union, despite the fact that it joined this association only on May 1, 2004. This means that the citizens of Malta are not subject to the Transitional Provisions restricting the movement of labor, as, for example, in Central Europe. Thus, the inhabitants of the country can freely find a job in any power of the European Union.
How much is it?
Initially, the government program provided for a simple investment infusion of 65 thousand euros. But later the bill was finalized. How much is Malta citizenship at the moment? We count. The head of the family must pay 65,000 for himself and 25,000 for each family member (spouse and minor children) to a special fund. Further, the main applicant will be forced to buy property in Malta. Its cost is also clearly regulated: from 150 to 350 thousand euros. Next, you need to open an account in a Maltese bank, which put 14 thousand. Well, the annual tax will be 4,200 conventional units per year. A newly made citizen signs an obligation to acquire over the course of five years securities worth 150 thousand euros.
Is it necessary to get out of Russian citizenship?
On February 10, 2000, Malta passed a law that repeals the requirement of uniform citizenship. Now citizens of the country can have two or three passports of different powers. As you know, Russian laws also do not prohibit dual citizenship. There is no need to sign an obligation to refuse a passport of the Russian Federation. The entry into the citizenship of Malta through investment does not provide for either compulsory residence on the island, knowledge of Maltese or English, or any other requirements besides financial obligations.