Updated
GL-N-01
Glossary · Citizenship and residency programs
NDSF - National Development and Social Fund (Malta)
A government fund of Malta (National Development and Social Fund) that received the non-refundable contribution under the MEIN citizenship program. The program was discontinued on 24.07.2025.
01 / In 30 seconds
The short answer
- 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
02 / In plain words
What NDSF means
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.
A case from practice
An investor goes through MEIN: they obtain residence, complete the required period, pay the contribution into the NDSF (from €600,000), buy or lease a home and make a donation. After the in-depth CMA check, they and their family become EU citizens. The NDSF contribution is the main financial part of the route.
Where the NDSF applies
- Malta’s citizenship programme (MEIN)
- The main contribution for an EU passport
- Calculating the full MEIN budget
- The route to EU citizenship
- Comparison with the Caribbean programmes
- Planning for the family
03 / What it covers
What matters about the NDSF contribution
Amount
- From €600,000 (36 months)
- From €750,000 (accelerated)
- Non-refundable
On top of the contribution
- Real estate
- Donation
- Government fees
What it gives
- EU passport
- The rights of an EU citizen
- For the whole family
Check
- In-depth due diligence
- One of the strictest
- For each adult
04 / How it works
Where the NDSF sits in the MEIN process
Obtaining residence
In-depth check (CMA)
NDSF contribution and real estate
Applying for naturalisation
EU passport
05 / Key facts
What you need to know
01
The NDSF is Malta’s state fund for the MEIN contribution
02
The contribution is from €600,000 with 36 months of residence
03
The money is non-refundable — a payment for naturalisation
04
Besides the contribution, real estate and a donation are required
05
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)
06 / Expert advice
How to prepare in advance
The full cost of MEIN is calculated with all its components: the NDSF contribution (from €600,000), real estate, the donation, fees and the residence period. An impeccable source-of-wealth file is prepared in advance for the strict CMA check. Then the route to the only EU passport by investment goes without a hitch.
What we do for you. 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.
Anna KovalevskayaLead lawyer for EU citizenship and residency, 12 years of practice
07 / Questions
Frequently asked questions
The National Development and Social Fund — Malta’s state fund, into which the main non-refundable contribution under the MEIN citizenship programme is paid.
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.
No, it is non-refundable money — a payment to the state for exceptional naturalisation, not an investment that can be recovered.
The result is an EU passport. Hence the large NDSF contribution, the property requirement, the donation, the residence period and the strict check.
Real estate (purchase or lease), a charitable donation, government fees and the cost of the in-depth CMA check.
Community Malta Agency (CMA) — the government agency that carries out the check and approves MEIN applications.
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