Why Maltese Citizenship by Descent
Malta is an EU and Schengen member. If Komunita Malta confirms you as a Maltese citizen by descent or registration, you get a Maltese passport and full EU rights. This is a lineage claim, not an investment program.
EU Freedom of Movement: Live, work, and study in the 27 EU member states once citizenship is confirmed.
English-speaking EU jurisdiction: Government process and records work in English.
Dual nationality is lawful: Identita states it is lawful to hold more than one nationality.
No investment required: Descent and registration are not citizenship-by-investment.
Who Qualifies
Maltese citizenship is confirmed by the Citizenship Office at Agenzija Komunita Malta. Identita states citizenship may be acquired by birth from one or both Maltese parents, by descent from Maltese ancestors, by naturalisation, or by registration. Typical qualifying situations:
Maltese parent: You were born to a Maltese citizen. If you were born abroad, citizenship still has to be confirmed and your foreign birth registered with the Public Registry before a passport is issued.
Descent / later generations born abroad: Since the 1 August 2007 amendments to the Maltese Citizenship Act (Cap. 188), later generations born outside Malta can acquire citizenship by registration when they prove a direct line to a qualifying Maltese-born ancestor. Komunita Malta decides the file. A grandparent born in Malta is not an automatic yes. Identita tells those applicants to contact [email protected] first.
Children born abroad of a confirmed Maltese citizen: They also need Citizenship Office confirmation, then registration of their apostilled birth certificates, then a passport application.
We assess the line and documents before you file. We do not treat a family story as a grant.
The Process
Step 1: Eligibility Assessment
We map your line to Malta and check whether the file should go to Agenzija Komunita Malta as a parent claim or a descent / registration claim.
Step 2: Document Collection
We collect civil records that prove each generation: birth, marriage, and death certificates, plus proof the Maltese ancestor was born in Malta.
Step 3: Citizenship Confirmation
The Citizenship Office in Valletta confirms whether you are a Maltese citizen. Applications from abroad can go through a Maltese embassy. Identita: contact [email protected].
Step 4: Public Registry, then Passport
After confirmation, any foreign birth, marriage, or divorce certificate must be registered with the Malta Public Registry. Then you apply for the Maltese passport. A Dual Nationality Letter from Komunita Malta is accepted where a citizenship certificate is not issued.
Need help finding documents? Our genealogical research service helps locate vital records across countries and generations. Learn more
Requirements
Your birth certificate: Official copy, apostilled if issued outside Malta.
Lineage records: Birth, marriage, and death certificates linking you to the qualifying Maltese ancestor.
Proof the ancestor was born in Malta: Maltese birth record or equivalent civil evidence.
Identity documents: Current passport or national ID.
Apostilles and translations: Foreign documents apostilled. Translations only where the receiving office requires them.
What's Included
Lineage and eligibility assessment
Maltese civil-record research and procurement
Document checklist and tracking
Citizenship confirmation filing with Komunita Malta or a Maltese embassy
Public Registry registration guidance for foreign birth or marriage
Passport-application support after confirmation
Status updates until the file is decided
Timeline
| Milestone | Timeframe |
|---|---|
| Eligibility assessment | 1-2 weeks |
| Document collection | 1-6 months |
| Citizenship confirmation | Set by Komunita Malta. Embassy files often take longer. |
| Public Registry + passport | After confirmation. Passport timing is set by Identita, not by us. |
Government processing is not a fixed number we control. We do not quote a guaranteed grant date.
Important Notes
Citizenship first, passport second. Identita will not issue a passport until the Citizenship Office confirms status and required foreign acts are registered with the Public Registry.
A grandparent born in Malta is not automatic. Identita sends those cases to [email protected] for a decision on the specific line.
Dual nationality is lawful in Malta. Your other country may still restrict it.
This is not citizenship by investment. Malta's exceptional-services / investment route is a different product.
Government fees are extra. Our fee covers the file, not Identita or Komunita charges.
U.S. citizens remain U.S. taxpayers on worldwide income after a Maltese passport. Malta does not erase U.S. tax.