NDSF
National Development and Social Fund (Malta)
A government fund of Malta (National Development and Social Fund) that receives the non-refundable contribution under the MEIN citizenship program. The main financial part of the path to an EU passport.
- What it is
- Malta’s state fund, into which the non-refundable MEIN contribution is paid
- Where it applies
- Malta’s citizenship by investment programme (MEIN)
- How much
- From €600,000 (with 36 months of residence)
- What it gives
- The main financial part of the route to an EU passport
- Can you prepare
- Yes: build the contribution into the full MEIN budget
In plain words
The NDSF (National Development and Social Fund) is Malta’s state development fund, into which the main non-refundable contribution under the MEIN citizenship by investment programme is paid. This contribution is the main financial part of the route to a Maltese — and therefore European — passport.
The size of the fund contribution depends on the period of prior residence: from €600,000 with 36 months and from €750,000 on the accelerated timeline. It is non-refundable money — a payment to the state for exceptional naturalisation, not an investment that can be recovered. Besides the NDSF contribution, the programme requires real estate (purchase or lease) and a charitable donation.
The NDSF reflects the scale and status of MEIN: the only EU passport by investment costs more than the Caribbean programmes precisely because of this contribution and the accompanying requirements. That is why the full cost of MEIN is calculated with all its components — the fund contribution, real estate, donation, fees and the in-depth check.
Where the NDSF applies
What matters about the NDSF contribution
- From €600,000 (36 months)
- From €750,000 (accelerated)
- Non-refundable
- Real estate
- Donation
- Government fees
- EU passport
- The rights of an EU citizen
- For the whole family
- In-depth due diligence
- One of the strictest
- For each adult
Where the NDSF sits in the MEIN process
- 01Obtaining residence
- 02In-depth check (CMA)
- 03NDSF contribution and real estate
- 04Applying for naturalisation
- 05EU passport
What you need to know
- The NDSF is Malta’s state fund for the MEIN contribution
- The contribution is from €600,000 with 36 months of residence
- The money is non-refundable — a payment for naturalisation
- Besides the contribution, real estate and a donation are required
- The contribution explains why MEIN costs more than the Caribbean
Common mistakes
- Counting only the contribution and forgetting the property and the donation
- Expecting the contribution back — it is non-refundable
- Underestimating the strictness of the CMA check
- Not building the residence period into your plans
- Confusing MEIN with Maltese permanent residence (MPRP)
What this means for a BRIDGES client
We set out the full cost of MEIN, in which the NDSF contribution is the main line, and prepare an impeccable file for the strict CMA check. We help you through the residence period and every stage, so that you obtain the only EU passport by investment calmly.
Frequently asked questions
01 /What is the NDSF?
The National Development and Social Fund — Malta’s state fund, into which the main non-refundable contribution under the MEIN citizenship programme is paid.
02 /How much must be paid into the fund?
From €600,000 with 36 months of residence, or from €750,000 on the accelerated timeline. Besides the contribution, real estate and a donation are required.
03 /Is the contribution refunded?
No, it is non-refundable money — a payment to the state for exceptional naturalisation, not an investment that can be recovered.
04 /Why does MEIN cost more than the Caribbean?
The result is an EU passport. Hence the large NDSF contribution, the property requirement, the donation, the residence period and the strict check.
05 /What else is paid besides the contribution?
Real estate (purchase or lease), a charitable donation, government fees and the cost of the in-depth CMA check.
06 /Who administers the programme?
Community Malta Agency (CMA) — the government agency that carries out the check and approves MEIN applications.
See also
Read next
This material has undergone editorial review by BRIDGES.
An EU passport through MEIN?
We will set out the full cost including the NDSF contribution and prepare the file for the strict CMA check — end to end, to the passport.