CMA

In plain words

The CMA (Community Malta Agency) is the Maltese government agency that administers the programme of citizenship for exceptional services by investment (MEIN). It accepts applications, organises the in-depth due diligence check, approves or rejects candidates and issues the certificate of naturalisation. In essence the CMA is the “owner” of the programme on the state’s side.

Malta is the only EU country with a working investment citizenship programme, so the CMA’s requirements are among the strictest in the world. The agency carries out a multi-level check on each adult applicant, engages specialised screening firms and deals strictly with any gaps in the source of wealth and reputation. A weak or contentious file does not get through here.

The conclusion for the applicant: the success of MEIN depends largely on the quality of the work with the CMA. The agency values complete, transparent and impeccably explained files. Understanding exactly what the CMA checks and where it is exacting helps get through to an EU passport first time, without requests, delays or the risk of refusal.

Where working with the CMA matters

What the CMA does

How working with the CMA goes

1. 01Residence and preparation
2. 02Filing the file with the CMA
3. 03In-depth check (DD)
4. 04The CMA’s decision
5. 05Certificate and EU passport

What you need to know

• The CMA administers Malta’s MEIN programme
• Malta — the only EU passport by investment
• The CMA’s requirements are among the strictest in the world
• Each adult is checked through specialised firms
• A weak or contentious file does not pass

Common mistakes

• ✕Underestimating the strictness of the CMA check
• ✕Filing a file with gaps in the source of wealth
• ✕Hiding a contentious episode — the check will find it
• ✕Not accounting for the residence requirements
• ✕Treating MEIN as “buying a passport” without in-depth DD

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