An overview of the citizenship by investment programs in Malta, and a glimpse into the process towards citizenship in Portugal.
Malta
Malta is one of the few countries that can grant immediate citizenship by investment through its Malta Individual Investor Program (MIIP).
This program requires applicants a three-step investment in order to obtain permanent full citizenship in the country:
- firstly, a €650,000 national development and social fund contribution for the applicant and €25,000 or €50,000 for any other family member to whom it is wished to extend the citizenship – depending on the degree of consanguinity;
- secondly, a qualifying investment of the amount of €150,000 to be held for at least 5 years in either equity or investment scheme;
- thirdly, the purchase of a real estate property of the value of €350,000 or the rental of a property for at least €16,000 p.a., both options to be held for at least 5 years.
The perks of a Maltese passport are numerous:
visa-free travels to over 180 countries, citizenship in one of the safest and most stable countries in the world, advantageous business benefits in a fast-growing economy, access to high quality healthcare system, social and political stability.
Portugal
Portugal offers the possibility to apply for citizenship by naturalization to all those who have retained a residence permit for investment for at least 5 years.
Hence, the first step towards Portuguese citizenship is the application to the Golden Visa program and the obtainment of residency by investing in real estate property in Portugal, acquiring units of investment funds or venture capital funds, or constituting a society headquartered on the national territory.
After 5 years of Golden Visa, the investors and their next of kin can obtain the right to apply for Portuguese citizenship by naturalization.
