Who qualifies for Maltese citizenship by descent
Three routes cover most of the diaspora: (1) a child of a Maltese citizen is Maltese; (2) children born abroad to a Maltese mother between 21 September 1964 and 1 August 1989, who weren't citizens at birth, can register on Form I; (3) descendants of a Malta-born ancestor whose parent was also born in Malta can register on Form K — any generation. There's no residence or language requirement for these routes.
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Any generation — if the line reaches two generations born in Malta
Since 1 August 2007, the Maltese Citizenship Act lets a person born abroad register as a citizen if they descend in the direct line from an ascendant who was born in Malta of a parent who was likewise born in Malta. There's no generation limit and it can run through mothers or fathers. In practice that means a great-great-grandchild of a Maltese emigrant can qualify — provided the emigrant's own parent was born in Malta too.
That last condition is where claims fail. If your emigrant ancestor was born in Malta but their father was born in, say, Sicily or Tunisia, the line doesn't qualify through that ancestor. Look one generation further back, or along another branch.
Sources: Community Malta Agency — acquisition of citizenship (forms and fees)
Children of Maltese mothers, 1964–1989
Between Malta's independence on 21 September 1964 and 1 August 1989, a child born abroad to a Maltese mother didn't automatically become Maltese. Those children — now adults in their late 30s to early 60s — can register on Form I. Their own children may then qualify through them.
Forms, fees and timing
Applications go to Community Malta (the agency handling citizenship) on the right form: Form K for descendants of Malta-born ancestors, Form I for children of Maltese mothers 1964–1989, and Form M for minor descendants. Each costs €150 with the application and €50 when you collect the certificate. Identità's guidance puts the whole procedure at roughly five months to two years.
Order Maltese birth certificates for the ancestor and their parent from the Public Registry first — they anchor the claim. Then assemble foreign birth and marriage certificates for each generation, apostilled and translated where needed.
Sources: Community Malta Agency — acquisition of citizenship (forms and fees) · Identità — Public Registry and citizenship
Not the investment scheme
Malta's former citizenship-by-investment programme is unrelated to descent. On 29 April 2025 the EU Court of Justice ruled that this kind of transactional citizenship breaches EU law. Registration by descent rests on genuine family links and isn't affected — but be wary of agents who blur the two.
Step by step
1. Identify your Malta-born ancestor and confirm their parent was also born in Malta (order both Maltese birth certificates from the Public Registry). 2. Collect birth and marriage certificates for every generation down to you; get apostilles and English translations where needed. 3. Complete the right form — K for descendants, I for children of Maltese mothers 1964–1989 — and pay the €150 application fee. 4. When approved, collect your certificate of citizenship (€50) and apply for a Maltese passport.
Maltese requirements at a glance
- Route 1: a parent who was Maltese at your birth
- Route 2 (Form I): born abroad to a Maltese mother between 21 Sept 1964 and 1 Aug 1989
- Route 3 (Form K): an ancestor born in Malta whose own parent was also born in Malta — any generation, either side
- No residence, language or renunciation requirement
- Fee: €150 with the application and €50 on collection of the certificate
Documents for a Maltese claim
- 1Your full birth certificate
- 2Maltese birth certificates for your Malta-born ancestor and for that ancestor's parent
- 3Birth and marriage certificates linking every generation from the ancestor to you
- 4Proof of any name changes
- 5Valid passport; foreign documents apostilled and, if not in English, translated
Maltese processing times
Guidance from Identità puts the registration procedure at roughly five months to two years. Maltese birth records from the Public Registry usually arrive quickly; gathering foreign records for each generation takes longer.
Where Maltese claims go wrong
- Using a Malta-born ancestor whose parent was born outside Malta — for Form K, look one generation further back
- Confusing descent registration with Malta's investment scheme, which the EU Court of Justice found contrary to EU law on 29 April 2025
- Name changes on emigration (anglicised spellings) that break the paper trail
- Children of Maltese mothers born abroad 1964–1989 assuming they're already citizens — they need Form I
Official Maltese government sources
Maltese citizenship FAQ
Q1My great-grandfather was born in Malta. Do I qualify?
If his parent (your great-great-grandparent) was also born in Malta, yes — you can register on Form K, with no generation limit. If not, check his parents' line or another branch.
Q2My mother is Maltese and I was born in Australia in 1975. Am I Maltese?
Not automatically, but you can register as a citizen on Form I, which covers children born abroad to Maltese mothers between 21 September 1964 and 1 August 1989.
Q3Do I have to live in Malta or learn Maltese?
No. Registration by descent has no residence or language requirement.
Q4Will I lose my current citizenship?
Not under Maltese law — Malta has allowed dual citizenship since 10 February 2000. Check your other country's rules.
Q5How much does it cost?
€150 with the application and €50 when the certificate is issued, plus the cost of documents.
Q6How long does it take?
Roughly five months to two years, according to Identità's guidance.
Maltese nationality law
Maltese Citizenship Act (Cap. 188), as amended — notably the 2000 amendment allowing dual citizenship from 10 February 2000 and the 2007 amendment, in force 1 August 2007, allowing registration of descendants of Malta-born ancestors.
Dual citizenship in Malta
Malta has allowed dual and multiple citizenship since 10 February 2000. You don't have to give up another nationality to register.
Maltese application costs
Registration forms (I, K and others): €150 with the application plus €50 on collection. Maltese birth certificates from the Public Registry, apostilles and translations are extra.