Citizenship by Merit

Citizenship by Merit is a mechanism for granting citizenship based on merit and contribution to the nation, introduced by Malta to replace its previous citizenship programme.

The change followed a ruling by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) in April 2025, which stated that granting citizenship in exchange for purely financial investment was inconsistent with European Union law. Malta subsequently enacted a new legal framework.

Unlike the direct citizenship-by-investment model, the merit-based mechanism focuses on the applicant's substantive contributions and ties to the country, rather than solely on the value of the investment.

This is a significant development for the European citizenship market, as Malta was the only European Union member state to maintain a citizenship-by-investment programme. The new regulations reshape the approach to European passports.

Get the latest updates on the Malta citizenship pathway on our service page Malta citizenship by investment of Prosperous Living Investment.