Citizenship of Cyprus or Malta in 2026: comparison of paths to an EU passport

Major change for 2026: You can no longer buy an EU passport

Let's start with a fixation that overturns all the old ideas. For many years, Cyprus and Malta have been symbols of “citizenship by investment” - the two fastest and most expensive ways to obtain an EU passport. By 2026, both of these routes are closed, and closed in different ways, but with the same outcome for the investor.

Cyprus scrapped its citizenship investment program (CIP) back in 2020 amid high-profile investigations and pressure from Brussels. Since then, there has been no direct purchase of a Cypriot passport - we write more about this in the article about cancellation of investment citizenship of Cyprus.

Malta held out the longest and remained the last EU country to effectively sell citizenship - until 29 April 2025, when the Court of Justice of the European Union ruled in Case C-181/23. The court ruled that Malta's "golden passport" scheme is contrary to EU law, since Union citizenship cannot be the result of a commercial transaction without a real connection with the state. After this decision, Malta's classic investment program was effectively terminated.

The conclusion is simple and important: in 2026, no EU country will sell passports “for money” legally and quickly. The only way left is real naturalization after years of living in the country. Next we will look at how this works in Cyprus and Malta, and where this path is shorter and more logical.

Judgment of the European Court of Justice against Malta: what happened on April 29, 2025

This is a turning point for the entire investment migration industry, and it needs to be understood accurately, without exaggeration and without hushing up.

The European Commission has been conducting infringement proceedings against Malta for several years - infringement. The subject was Malta's Citizenship for Exceptional Services through Direct Investment Program (known as MEIN, successor to the former IIP). On 29 April 2025, the Court of Justice of the European Union in Luxembourg ruled in case C-181/23 against Malta.

Key findings of the Court:

• EU citizenship is not a commodity. The acquisition of Union citizenship cannot be the result of a commercial transaction in exchange for a financial contribution without a real, genuine connection of the person with the country.
• Violation of the foundations of trust. The scheme undermines mutual trust between member states and devalues ​​the essence of EU citizenship (Article 20 Treaty on the Functioning of the EU).
• Violation of the principle of loyal cooperation. Malta was found to be in breach of the duty of good faith (Article 4(3) EC Treaty).

Bottom line: Malta must stop selling citizenship by investment in its current form. The MEIN program in investment format has been stopped. As a replacement, the Maltese authorities announced a narrow procedure of “citizenship for merit” (by merit) - but this is no longer the purchase of a passport, but an exception for people with an outstanding contribution to the country or humanity. Previously made decisions on naturalization remain in force.

Cyprus today: naturalization only, no purchase

In Cyprus, there has been no direct purchase of citizenship for several years. Today, a Cypriot passport can be obtained in three ways: by naturalization after years of residence, by marriage to a citizen and by descent. There is no “put money in - get passport” thing left.

The basic logic of naturalization is as follows: the state observes a person for several years, verifies that he actually lives on the island, pays taxes, does not break the law, has learned Greek and integrated into society, and only then can he grant citizenship.

• Settlement qualification - according to the standard path, about 7 years of legal residence within the last decade (formulated as “8 out of 10”), and the last year must be continuous.
• Fast track - 4 years for highly qualified specialists at Greek level B1 or 5 years at A2.
• Language - compulsory exam in Greek, for the standard path level B1.
• Cyprus knowledge test - fundamentals of political and social reality, passing grade 60%.

Important: investments in Cyprus still work, but do not lead to a passport, but to resident status - residence permit and lifelong permanent residence. We describe in detail how naturalization works step by step in the guide about Cypriot citizenship by naturalization, and a general overview of all routes is in the material about Cypriot citizenship.

Malta today: residency exists, citizenship is banned by the EU

Following the decision of the Court of Justice of the EU, the Maltese passport-for-investment model no longer works. But this does not mean that Malta has closed to foreigners - it is just that investments now lead to a residence permit rather than citizenship.

The key tool is the Malta Permanent Residence Program (MPRP). This is a residence permit/permanent residence status, not a passport. Key parameters for 2026:

• Applicant's assets - at least 500,000 € (including 150,000 € in financial assets) or 650,000 € (including 75,000 €).
• Real Estate - rent from 14,000 € per year for 5 years or purchase from 375,000 € with retention for 5 years.
• Contributions - state fee, administrative fee and mandatory charitable donation from €2,000.
• Accommodation - there is no strict requirement for the number of days; the status is convenient for mobile people.

But MPRP is precisely residency. To get a Maltese passport, after receiving a residence permit, you need to undergo regular naturalization for long-term residence, as in any EU country: years of real life, impeccable reputation, integration. The fast investment corridor to citizenship that existed until 2025 no longer exists. Citizenship by merit is a rare exception for outstanding individuals and is not a replacement for the previous investor program.

Comparison table: Cyprus vs Malta in 2026

Let's collect the key differences between the two countries in one table. This is the framework for the solution - next we will analyze the most important lines in more detail.

The main conclusion from the table: in essence, the paths to a passport for both countries have now converged at one point - real naturalization. The differences are in speed, language, Schengen and lifestyle.

Conditions and real terms: where the EU passport is closer

Since the purchase is no longer necessary, the main practical question is where the real path to the passport is shorter and more predictable. Let's compare based on the most valuable resource - time.

Cyprus. The standard qualification is about 7 years of legal residence over the last decade. But there is a serious advantage: the 2024 reform introduced an accelerated path for highly qualified specialists of Cypriot companies - 4 years with a Greek B1 or 5 years with an A2. For families who have moved for work relocation to IT, fintech, shipping or consulting, this is a real window: an EU passport in 4-5 years instead of seven.

Malta. After stopping the investment program, general naturalization by residence remains. First - residency through MPRP, then years of real life on the islands and the standard citizenship procedure. The fast “investment” corridor of 1-3 years, which existed until 2025, no longer exists.

• If speed is important and there is specialized work - the accelerated naturalization of Cyprus looks more predictable.
• If Schengen is important at the residence stage - Malta is in Schengen now.
• If you need lifelong EU resident status without language - it is worth looking at Cyprus permanent residence Regulation 6.2.

In any case, we are talking about a project for years, not a deal for months. BRIDGES GLOBAL lawyers will help you choose a route for your specific situation.

An expert's view: typical misconceptions and how to count

Over the years of practice, we see the same mistakes in client expectations, and almost all of them come from the old era of “golden passports”. We'll sort them out so you don't waste time and money.

• “You can still buy a passport in Malta.” No. Following the decision of the Court of Justice of the European Union on April 29, 2025, the investment scheme was terminated. What remains is residency (MPRP) and the rare "merit citizenship" rather than purchasing a passport.
• “Cypriot permanent residence is almost citizenship.” No. Permanent residence in Cyprus is lifelong and convenient, but only real naturalization with years of residence and Greek language leads to a passport.
• “An EU passport means immediately Schengen.” Cyprus is still outside Schengen, and this needs to be included in travel plans, without confusing Schengen with freedom of movement within the EU.
• “You can keep your status from another country and accumulate time.” No. Both Cyprus and Malta look at real physical presence at the naturalization stage rather than status on paper.

a calculation always begins with one question: are you really ready to live in the country for several years. If yes, an EU passport is legally attainable. If not, it is wiser to focus on resident status and not create illusions about quick citizenship.

Taxes and lifestyle: what to consider when choosing an island

Tax logic and lifestyle are something that is worth looking at no less than the terms of citizenship, because you will have to live here for more than one year.

Both islands are established jurisdictions with developed infrastructure for foreign capital, a transparent banking system and regimes for new residents. The specific tax burden greatly depends on the structure of income, tax resident status and the presence of special regimes, so the exact figures are always calculated individually with a tax consultant - there is no universal “rate for everyone”.

What is important for choosing a lifestyle:

• Cyprus - a large island with an active business environment: IT, fintech, shipping and consulting are concentrated here, many international companies and, as a result, jobs for specialists. This also opens up an accelerated path to naturalization.
• Malta - a compact archipelago with an English-speaking environment, dense infrastructure and convenient logistics throughout Europe thanks to Schengen.
• Families - both islands have a developed system of international schools; in Malta it is easier because of English, in Cyprus there is a wider choice and more space.

Tax planning should be done before moving, and not after: the correctly chosen residence status and income structure affect both the burden and the speed of integration required for citizenship.

Who is Cyprus best suited for?

Cyprus is logical for those who are ready to really connect their lives with the island and want a more predictable path to a passport in terms of timing.

• Highly qualified professionals and their families - those who move to work for a Cypriot company in IT, fintech, shipping or consulting. For them, accelerated naturalization works in 4-5 years, and Greek is converted into speed.
• For those who need lifelong EU resident status without language - Cypriot permanent residence Regulation 6.2 gives indefinite status with a maintenance visit every two years, without residence and language requirements. More details in the material about Cyprus permanent residence.
• For entrepreneurs - those who want to do business in an active business environment with international companies around.

Let’s be about the disadvantage of Cyprus: the country is still outside Schengen, and Greek is required for citizenship. But if your goal is to actually live and work on the island, these barriers are worth it with a predictable route to an EU passport.

Who is Malta best suited for?

Malta remains attractive to a certain profile - it's just that the emphasis has now shifted from citizenship to residency and lifestyle.

• For those who care about Schengen now - Malta has been in the zone since 2007, and this eliminates the issue of border control when traveling around continental Europe.
• For English-speaking families - ubiquitous English removes the language barrier in everyday life, schools and during adaptation, which in Cyprus will have to be achieved through Greek.
• Mobile residents - MPRP does not require a strict number of days of presence, which is convenient for those who move a lot but want a European base.

An important fair disclaimer: the path to a Maltese passport after 2025 has become longer and only goes through ordinary naturalization by residence - there is no longer a fast investment corridor. Therefore, it is reasonable to consider Malta in 2026 primarily as a quality EU residence in Schengen, and citizenship as a long-term prospect for a real move. We provide a detailed comparison of the residence statuses of the two countries in the material about comparison of residency in Cyprus and Malta.

Schengen, movement and passport power

One of the main practical issues is freedom of movement. And here there is a and important difference between the two countries.

Malta has been part of the Schengen area since 2007. This means that a Maltese residence permit, and especially a passport, provide the usual Schengen logic of movement across continental Europe without internal borders.

Cyprus remains a member of the EU, but is not yet part of Schengen. The country's authorities state 2026 as the target date for accession and report that technical preparations have been completed, but in practice accession has not yet taken place. This must be taken into account : Cypriot permanent residence in itself does not provide visa-free Schengen, and a Cypriot passport is full-fledged EU citizenship, but with a reservation about the current status of the country outside the Schengen zone.

It is important not to confuse the two concepts. Citizenship of any EU country, including Cyprus, gives the right to live, work and study freely in any EU country - this is the right of free movement within the Union, and it works independently of Schengen. Schengen refers to the lack of border controls at the internal borders of the zone. For most families, the difference is felt at the stage of travel: with Maltese status it has already been removed, with Cypriot status it depends on the progress of Cyprus’ entry into the zone.

Language and Integration: B1 Greek vs English Comfort

The language and integration barrier is what distinguishes citizenship from simple residence. And here the countries differ noticeably.

Cyprus. For naturalization, a Greek language exam is required - for the standard path level B1, for highly qualified specialists B1 for 4 years or A2 for 5 years. This is not a formality: Greek from scratch to B1 is really 1-2 years of preparation, which should be started in parallel with the accumulation of qualifications. Plus a separate test on knowledge of the history, culture and realities of Cyprus with a passing score of 60%.

Malta. The official languages ​​are Maltese and English, and English is widely spoken. At the everyday level, a foreigner feels comfortable here almost immediately, without a language marathon. For naturalization, integration and connection with the country are assessed, and the English-speaking environment significantly facilitates daily life and family adaptation.

• Cyprus - the language threshold is higher (Greek), but there is an accelerated path in terms of deadlines.
• Malta - a comfortable English-speaking environment, but without a quick investment corridor to a passport.

For families with school-age children, this factor often turns out to be decisive: in Malta it is easier to integrate into English-language schools, in Cyprus you will have to rely on learning Greek.

Bottom line: how to choose between Cyprus and Malta in 2026

The main result sounds unusual to those who remember the era of “golden passports”: neither Cyprus nor Malta no longer sells EU citizenship for money. Cyprus closed the investment program in 2020, the Maltese scheme was stopped by a decision of the EU Court of Justice in 2025. There is only one path left - real naturalization after years of living in the country.

To briefly summarize the choice in practice:

• Need a predictable and relatively quick path to your passport - look at Cyprus with its accelerated naturalization in 4-5 years for highly qualified specialists, laying down the study of Greek.
• Schengen and the English-speaking environment are important already at the stage of residence - look at Malta, realizing that citizenship there now comes only through long-term naturalization.
• Requires lifelong EU resident status without language or residence - Cypriot permanent residence Regulation 6.2 solves this problem best.

Any of these routes is a project that lasts for years, where the result depends on a competent strategy from the first day. Current requirements and forms for Cyprus should always be checked on the official portal Ministry of Internal Affairs of Cyprus (gov.cy), and it is better to discuss the choice of country and route for your family and capital with a lawyer who will calculate the real terms in your situation.