Malta Citizenship by Descent — EU, Schengen & Commonwealth Passport
Malta offers automatic citizenship by descent to children of Maltese parents with no generational limit, provided each generation is registered and the chain is maintained. Malta is a unique triple passport: EU member (since 2004), Schengen Area member, and Commonwealth member, providing holders with EU freedom of movement plus certain Commonwealth advantages in countries like the UK, Australia, and Canada. Dual citizenship has been permitted since 2000. Note: Malta's separate citizenship-by-investment program was abolished in July 2025 following an ECJ ruling that it violated EU citizenship principles — this does not affect the legitimate descent route.
Current passport design
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Eligibility Overview
A child born to at least one Maltese citizen parent automatically acquires Maltese citizenship at birth, regardless of where the birth occurs. Dual citizenship is fully permitted since July 2000. To maintain Maltese citizenship across generations, each generation must have formally registered or affirmed Maltese citizenship. There is also a Maltese-born lineal ascendant pathway for people with a Maltese-born grandparent or great-grandparent, depending on circumstances.
Key Requirements
- ✓At least one parent is or was a Maltese citizen
- ✓Documented lineage from the Maltese ancestor to the applicant with birth and marriage certificates for each generation
- ✓For multi-generation claims: verification that intermediate generations maintained or were entitled to Maltese citizenship
- ✓Application at Identita' (Identity Malta) or a Maltese consulate
- ✓Dual citizenship fully permitted since 2000 — no renunciation required
Documents You Will Need
- 1Applicant's birth certificate showing at least one Maltese parent
- 2Maltese parent's proof of Maltese citizenship (Maltese passport, identity card, or civil registration record)
- 3Marriage certificates for each couple in the lineage chain
- 4For grandchild or more remote claims: birth certificates and citizenship evidence for all intermediate generations
- 5Apostilles on all foreign documents
- 6Certified English or Maltese translations of non-English/non-Maltese documents
- 7Applicant's current valid national passport
Expected Timeline
Direct parent-to-child registration: 2–6 months. Multi-generation descent claims: 6–18 months. Maltese naturalization (for those without descent): 5 years of legal residency plus 12–24 months of application processing.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- ⚠️Registration requirement: Maltese citizenship is not automatically transmitted if prior generations failed to register; a gap in registration can create complications for multi-generation claims
- ⚠️7-year connection requirement: registered Maltese citizens living abroad for extended periods should maintain contact with Identita' to avoid potential loss issues — check current rules
- ⚠️CBI confusion: the Individual Investor Programme was abolished in July 2025; any agent offering 'Maltese citizenship for investment' after that date is operating outside the law
- ⚠️Pre-independence emigrant records: Maltese who emigrated before 1964 independence have records under British administration held in the Malta Public Registry and parish archives
Official Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can qualify for Malta Citizenship by Descent — EU, Schengen & Commonwealth Passport?
Any person born to at least one Maltese citizen parent automatically acquires Maltese citizenship, regardless of birth location. Dual citizenship is permitted since 2000. For multi-generation claims, each intermediate generation must have maintained or been entitled to Maltese citizenship. Malta's citizenship-by-investment program was abolished in July 2025 — descent by lineage remains fully valid.
Which documents are required?
Your birth certificate showing a Maltese parent, the Maltese parent's proof of Maltese citizenship, and your current national passport. For multi-generation claims, birth and marriage certificates and citizenship evidence for all intermediate generations. Foreign documents need apostilles and certified translations into English or Maltese.
How long does the process take?
Direct parent-to-child registration: 2–6 months. Multi-generation descent claims: 6–18 months. Maltese naturalization (for those without descent): requires 5 years of residency then 12–24 months of processing.
Legal Basis
Maltese citizenship is governed by the Maltese Citizenship Act (Cap. 188) of 1965, as amended. Dual citizenship was permitted by amendment effective July 28, 2000. The Individual Investor Programme (citizenship-by-investment) was established in 2013 and abolished by ECJ ruling and subsequent Maltese legislation in July 2025.
Dual Citizenship
Malta fully permits dual and multiple citizenship since July 28, 2000. Maltese citizens who acquire foreign nationality do not lose their Maltese citizenship, and foreign nationals who acquire Maltese citizenship by descent are not required to renounce their existing nationality. The EU + Commonwealth passport combination makes Malta particularly valuable for diaspora communities in Australia, Canada, the USA, and the UK.
Estimated Costs
Citizenship registration: approximately €50–€150 in administrative fees. Apostilles: €10–€40 per document. Certified translations: €30–€80 per document. Malta Public Registry records: €5–€20 per document. Total for a direct descent registration: approximately €200–€600.
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