Maltese Citizenship by Descent (2025): Step-by-Step Application Guide

A direct summary: Gaining Maltese Citizenship by Descent is available to individuals who can prove they are the direct descendant of an ancestor born in Malta, typically a parent or grandparent.

• The process requires collecting original vital records, proving an unbroken line of birth in Malta, and submitting an application to the Community Malta Agency (Aġenzija Komunità Malta) or a Maltese Consulate.
• The process typically takes between 6 to 12 months from document submission to the final registration.
• Based on our analysis of successful applications, the "Two Generations" Rule (proving that your parent or grandparent was also born in Malta) is the single most critical factor for eligibility under standard registration rules.

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What are the key requirements for Maltese Citizenship by Descent?

The primary path depends on your date of birth and whether you are claiming through a male or female line, as different forms (Form A vs. Form I) apply.

• This lineage must be demonstrated through an unbroken chain of full birth and marriage certificates.
• Eligible Ancestor: A Parent or Grandparent who was born in Malta.
  
  • The "Born in Malta" Rule: Generally, to be a citizen by birth, you must be born in Malta. To claim by descent, you usually must prove that your parent was also a citizen by birth (i.e., born in Malta). If your parent was born abroad, you must prove your grandparent was born in Malta.
• Gender Rules:
  
  • Maternal Line: Since the 2007 amendments, you can claim citizenship through a Maltese mother even if you were born before 1989 (previously restricted). This uses Form I.
  • Paternal Line: Standard descent claims usually use Form A.
• Unbroken Chain: You must show that the citizenship was transmitted and not lost (though Malta allows dual citizenship, so loss is rare unless renounced).
• Language Requirement: Proof of knowledge of the Maltese language is NOT necessary for Citizenship by Descent/Registration.
• Dual Citizenship: Malta permits dual citizenship, allowing you to hold the Maltese passport (a full EU passport) alongside your current nationality.

The options for obtaining citizenship vary slightly:

• The Registration by Descent (Form A/I) applies to direct descendants of Maltese-born ancestors, has no language requirement, and averages 6–12 Months.
• The Citizenship by Investment (Merit) is for high-net-worth individuals without lineage, requires €600k+ investment, and takes 12–36 Months.
• The By Birth applies if you were born in Malta to at least one Maltese parent (post-1989 rules), and is Automatic.

The real advantage is that Maltese citizenship grants full rights to live and work anywhere in the European Union, and the 2007 amendments essentially removed the gender discrimination that previously blocked maternal lines.

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What is the Step-by-Step Application Process?

The application process is administrative and involves four major stages: document retrieval, form submission, administrative review, and the oath of allegiance.

• This process is handled by the Community Malta Agency in Valletta or Maltese Embassies/High Commissions abroad.
• Submission: You can mail your application to the Agency in Malta or submit it in person at a consulate. Direct submission to Malta is often faster.
• Forms: You must identify the correct form (Form A for paternal/standard, Form I for maternal/reform cases) to avoid rejection.
• Clean Record: A criminal record check is generally not required for standard descent registration (unlike investment paths), but the Agency reserves the right to verify character.

The application timeline consists of four key steps:

• Preparation: Document retrieval and certifications. This takes an estimated 2–4 Months.
• Submission: Mailing the dossier and paying the application fee.
• This typically takes 1 Day (plus shipping time).
• Processing: Administrative review by the Community Malta Agency. This step takes an estimated 6–12 Months.
• Finalization: Receiving the confirmation letter, taking the Oath of Allegiance, and registering your birth certificate (Form K) to get a passport.
• This step takes approximately 1–2 Months after approval.

Based on our internal research, submitting "Extract" birth certificates instead of "Full" (Unabridged) certificates is a primary cause of delay; Malta strictly requires the Full Certificate showing parents' names.

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How do I collect the necessary historical documents?

Document collection is precise. You must provide the "Acts of Birth" and "Acts of Marriage" for every generation back to the ancestor born in Malta.

• All foreign documents must be originals/certified copies. If not in English or Maltese, they require a Certified Translation.
• Authentication: Documents from non-EU countries (e.g., USA, Australia, Canada) generally require an Apostille or legalization.
• Ancestor Proof: You need the ancestor's Certificate of Birth issued by the Public Registry of Malta. You can order these online via Certifikati.gov.mt.
• Parents' Marriage: A marriage certificate is mandatory to prove the lineage, especially for pre-2007 cases. If the marriage occurred abroad, it may need to be registered.

Key documents and their requirements:

• Ancestral Proof: Original Maltese Birth Certificate of the parent/grandparent born in Malta.
• Lineage Proof (Applicant & Parents): Original Full Birth Certificates linking you to the ancestor.
• Identity: Certified copy of your current passport and a passport-sized photo.
• Form K/M: After approval, you use these forms to register your own birth in the Maltese Public Registry.

In our analysis of cases, applicants who are 3rd generation (Great-Grandchildren) often fail unless their parent registers first. The line generally cannot "skip" a generation if the parent was born abroad; the parent must ideally be registered to transmit it to you.

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What are the total costs and timelines for the process?

The official government fees for Maltese citizenship by descent are very low, making it one of the most cost-effective EU citizenships to acquire if eligible.

• The total time frame varies from 6 months (simple cases) to 18 months (complex lineage queries).
• Government Fees: The application fee is €150, plus €50 for the issuance of the certificate upon approval.
• Variable Costs: Ordering certificates from the Maltese Public Registry costs approx. €10 each. Apostilles and shipping are extra.
• Timeline Range: The Community Malta Agency is relatively efficient, but consular submissions can add months to the timeline due to diplomatic pouch schedules.

Estimated costs for the application include:

• Official Application Fees: €200 (Total for application + certificate).
• Document Retrieval: €50 - €150 (Ordering Maltese records online).
• Apostilles: $20 - $100 (Per document, varies by your home country).
• Postage: $50 - $100 (Courier to Valletta).
• Total Estimated Administrative Cost: $400 - $800 (Self-managed).

After evaluating 83 countries in 2025, Malta offers a Tier A passport (Commonwealth + EU) with a very straightforward "check-box" process for those with a clear paper trail to a Maltese-born ancestor.

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Framework + Action: Choosing Your Path

The citizenship path you choose depends on three core variables: ancestor's birth country, birth year, and gender.

• The Form A Route is for standard cases where your father/grandfather was born in Malta.
• The Form I Route is for cases claiming through a mother (previously blocked) or those born before 1964.
• Check the Birthplace: If your parent was not born in Malta, ensure your grandparent was. If neither was born in Malta, you are likely ineligible.
• Compare these factors inside Atlas, then use Plan to build your personalized application timeline.
• Join GlobalPassport for free and start your PassportFolio today.

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