Malta Citizenship by Investment: Why the EU Court Cancelled the Program

Key Point in One Paragraph: You Can No Longer Buy a Malta Passport

Let's start with a and unwelcome conclusion for many, so as not to waste your time. You cannot buy Malta citizenship by investment in 2026 - this option no longer exists. On April 29, 2025, the European Union Court ruled in case C-181/23 "European Commission v. Malta" and determined that the Maltese citizenship program in exchange for investment violates EU law. The state is obliged to cease selling passports.

If you come across a website that still offers in 2026 to "obtain a Malta passport for a contribution" with a fixed amount and clear pricing, treat it with maximum caution. There is no program by which this could be done legally anymore. Any promises to "process under the old scheme" or "make it before closure" are either outdated information or a direct risk to your money and reputation.

This does not mean the path to Malta is completely closed. Legal permanent residence (EU resident visa) and classical naturalization remain available. But these are fundamentally different tools, and we discuss them below. And if you specifically need a passport by investment, it is now offered by completely different jurisdictions.

What Exactly the EU Court Decided in Case C-181/23

To understand the scope, it is important to understand the substance of the decision. The dispute began with the European Commission filing a lawsuit against Malta, considering its "golden passport" program a violation of the union's fundamental principles. The EU Court agreed with the Commission.

The logic of the decision comes down to several theses:

• EU Citizenship is Not a Commodity The Court directly stated: acquisition of Union citizenship cannot be the result of a commercial transaction.
• Real Connection to the Country is Required When a member state grants citizenship (and thus automatically EU citizenship) in exchange for predetermined payments or investments, without genuine connection of the person to the country, it violates the very foundations of union citizenship.
• This affects all EU Countries By issuing a passport for money, Malta obligated all other union states to recognize this citizenship and the rights arising from it. The Court considered this a violation of Article 20 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU and the principle of good faith cooperation (Article 4(3) of the Treaty on the EU).

In other words, the problem is not with Malta itself, but with the principle: citizenship of one union country automatically grants rights in all others, so selling it unilaterally is not permitted. The Court's decision is final.

What the MEIN Program Represented Before

To close the topic definitively, it is useful to understand what exactly was cancelled. The program was called MEIN - Malta Exceptional Investor Naturalisation, meaning "naturalization for exceptional merit through direct investment." It came in 2020 and was considered one of the most prestigious in Europe because it granted not a residence permit, but immediately EU citizenship.

The structure was approximately as follows (provided as historical reference; these options are no longer available):

• Non-refundable Contribution to a State Fund - A substantial sum, the amount of which depended on the waiting period (a faster path cost more).
• Investment in Real Estate - Purchase of a property or long-term housing rental in Malta, with an obligation to retain it for several years.
• Charitable Donation - Contribution to an approved organization.
• Period of Residence Formal residency on the island until passport issuance.

All these conditions as of 2026 are history. Even if you find old descriptions with specific amounts, you cannot rely on them: there is no longer any basis for accepting such applications. Passports issued before the Court decision were recognized as valid by the Maltese government—cancellation of already issued citizenships does not occur. However, new applications under this scheme are not accepted.

Table "was - became 2026": what changed

The clearest way to document the changes is to compare how things stood before the Court decision and how they look now. This table addresses most questions.

The table's main conclusion is simple: everything relating to direct passport purchase is in the past. Everything that remains is either a residence permit or lengthy naturalization on general grounds.

What remains available in Malta in 2026

The closure of "golden passports" does not mean Malta has closed to foreigners. Simply different, lawful tools are now available—and it is important to clearly understand the difference between residence and citizenship.

• MPRP Permanent Residence (Malta Permanent Residence Programme) —lifelong permanent resident status granting the right to live in Malta, an EU country. This is NOT a passport and NOT citizenship: you do not obtain voting rights or unrestricted work rights throughout the union. However, it is a lawful resident status obtained through investment in real estate or rental plus state contributions. Detailed analysis is in the article on Malta Permanent Residence under the MPRP Programme.
• Naturalization through residence —the classic pathway to a passport through years of actual life on the island, residency requirement, language knowledge, and integration. It is lengthy and cannot be purchased with money. Details are on the page about Malta naturalization.
• Citizenship by descent (ancestry) and by marriage —if you have Maltese ancestors or a citizen spouse, these are separate lawful grounds.

In short: you can legally live in Malta through permanent residence, but to obtain a passport you can only do so through years of naturalization or on family grounds. There is no fast investment passport anymore.

Russians and CIS citizens: what is important to consider

For applicants from Russia, Belarus and a number of CIS countries, the situation has additional nuances that need to be discussed directly.

First, investment citizenship in Malta has been cancelled for absolutely everyone - there is no difference by country here; the program simply does not exist.

Second, for available Maltese and European programs (permanent residence and others) after 2022, the EU and Malta itself introduced restrictions and enhanced compliance for Russian and Belarusian citizens due to sanctions regime. This means that the acceptance and review of such applications are subject to additional verification of capital sources, and some paths may be restricted.

Our position here is unambiguous: everything strictly within the legal framework. We do not help circumvent sanctions and do not work with "grey" schemes. Any project is conducted with full verification of source of funds and compliance with requirements. If there is no legitimate path in a particular situation, we say so rather than sell a service that does not work.

For CIS citizens who specifically need a passport, programs from non-EU countries are often more realistic - with clear and functioning verification procedures.

Dangerous offers: how not to fall for scammers

The closure of a major program is always a time when unscrupulous players become more active. They take advantage of those who do not follow the news and continue to sell what no longer exists. Here are the red flags that should alert you.

• "We will arrange a Malta passport for investment - hurry before closure." The program has already been closed by the EU Court decision. There is no "window" of opportunity.
• Fixed price list for Malta citizenship in 2026. Direct purchase does not exist, so any specific "passport price" is a marker of outdated or false information.
• Promises to "process under the old scheme" or "through government contacts." This is a direct risk of losing money and facing legal consequences.
• 100% result guarantee. In legal migration, no one guarantees results - there is only professional assessment of chances.

Simple rule: if an offer promises what is directly prohibited by the EU Court decision, this is either incompetence or fraud. Verify the current status of programs from official sources, for example on the Malta government portal (gov.mt) government of Malta (gov.mt).

What should an investor do now: step-by-step logic

If you came with a request about Malta citizenship for investment, do not rush to despair - simply correct your route. Here is how we recommend you think about it.

• Step 1. Define your real goal. Do you need specifically an EU passport, any second passport for mobility, resident status in Europe or tax planning? The answer determines everything.
• Step 2. If you need status in the EU - look at permanent residence and residence permits of European countries, including Malta Permanent Residence MPRPThis is a legal way to live in the Union, albeit without a passport.
• Step 3. If you specifically need a passport through investment - consider programs in non-EU countries (Caribbean and others). They operate and are processed within months.
• Step 4. If a Malta passport as such is important - the only legal ways are naturalization through years of residence, descent, or marriage. Quick and for money - not possible.
• Step 5. Verify capital sources and compliance in advance, especially if you are a citizen of a country under sanctions restrictions.

This logic saves the most precious resource - time. Instead of chasing a cancelled program, you immediately follow a working route.

Malta Naturalization: the only path to a passport through residence

Since direct purchase no longer exists, the only way to obtain a Maltese passport (apart from descent and marriage) is classical naturalization through years of residence. You should adjust your expectations immediately: this is not a path for those seeking quick results for money.

What naturalization generally requires:

• Residence requirement - years of actual and legal residence on the island. This is not annual visits, but actual life in Malta.
• Legal status throughout these years - valid residence permit or permanent residence without gaps.
• Integration and reputation - language proficiency, absence of criminal convictions, economic ties to the country.
• Discretionary state decision - even if conditions are met, the final decision remains with the authorities.

Essentially, naturalization is the opposite of the cancelled MEIN. While that sold passports for money without real connection to the country (which is why the EU Court cancelled it), naturalization requires genuine connection: years of life, taxes, language, integration into society. We discuss this route in detail in the article on Malta naturalization, and a general overview of citizenship grounds - in the guide to Malta citizenship.

If you specifically need a passport for investment: where to look

Let's say your goal is not a residence permit, but specifically a second passport, preferably for a reasonable investment, without years of residency. This is now impossible in Malta, but such programs still operate worldwide - simply outside the European Union.

The logic is simple: the EU Court decision applies only to union member states, because their citizenship automatically grants rights throughout the EU. Non-union countries are not bound by this decision and can legally offer citizenship for investment.

• Caribbean region - Saint Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia. These are classic programs with contributions to a state fund or real estate investment, processing within several months and without the requirement to permanently reside in the country.
• Other jurisdictions - programs also exist in other regions, with their own conditions for visa-free access, taxes and timelines.

Important disclaimer: none of these passports constitute EU citizenship and do not grant automatic rights to live and work in the European Union. They solve other tasks - mobility, backup option, tax planning. If you specifically need European status, the path lies through residence permits and permanent residence in EU countries, not through passport purchase.

Permanent residence MPRP versus citizenship: do not confuse statuses

After the cancellation of investment citizenship, many out of habit perceive Malta's permanent residence as "almost a passport." This is a dangerous misconception that can easily cost you money and time. Let us clarify the difference extremely clearly.

Permanent residence MPRP - this is a residence permit. It provides:

• the right to legally live in Malta for as long as you wish;
• lifetime resident status subject to compliance with conditions;
• the opportunity to include family in the application.

But permanent residence does not provide a Maltese passport, EU citizenship, the right to vote, the right to freely work in any union country and automatic visa-free access at the level of an EU passport.

Citizenship - this is already a full-fledged EU passport with all citizen rights. But in Malta, you can no longer obtain it for investment directly: only through naturalization (years of residence, language, integration) or by descent or marriage.

Sometimes permanent residence is called a "stepping stone" to citizenship. Formally, after many years of actual residence, a resident can indeed apply for naturalization. But this is not an automatic transition "paid for permanent residence - received passport," but rather a long independent path with its own requirements. Do not purchase permanent residence expecting a quick passport - these are different things.

Expert perspective: how not to lose money on a cancelled program

Over the past year, many people come to us with the same request - to buy a Malta passport. And almost all of them need the same explanation. So let us outline the main warnings.

• Do not believe "hurry before it closes." The program is already closed by the EU Court decision of 29.04.2025. There is nothing left to close.
• Do not pay advances for "Malta passport processing." No legal mechanism for direct purchase exists; any advance for this is a red flag.
• Distinguish between permanent residence and citizenship. You may be sold permanent residence disguised as "almost a passport" - these are different statuses.
• Match the passport country with your actual goal. If you need a passport through investment, the answer is - not Malta, but non-EU jurisdictions.

The best protection against losing money is current information and a clear statement of goals. Programs come and go, but your funds and reputation stay with you.

Summary: Malta citizenship through investment - a closed chapter

Let us draw a conclusion. Malta citizenship through investment in 2026 cannot be obtained - the MEIN program was cancelled by the European Union Court decision in case C-181/23 of April 29, 2025 as contradicting EU law. Direct purchase of a Malta passport no longer exists, and any offers to "hurry" or "process under the old scheme" represent outdated information or outright fraud.

What remains real:

• MPRP Permanent Residence - legal status of an EU resident in Malta, but this is a residence permit, not a passport.
• Naturalization, descent, marriage - the only legal paths to actual Maltese citizenship, and all require time and genuine connection to the country.
• Passport through investment in principle - still available, but in non-EU countries (Caribbean and others), not Malta.

If you have read this far, you are already better protected than most - you know what no longer exists and can choose from what works. And we will help turn your request into a real, legal action plan. Current status should always be verified on the official website of Malta government (gov.mt).