Why are so many people so eager to get Malta citizenship? There are many reasons for this. Those wishing to obtain a Maltese passport are attracted not only by the climate and local beauties, but also by their free movement through the territory of the European Union and visa-free entry to the United States. But in order to become a citizen of this island and gain all the privileges, you need to meet certain requirements and fulfill a number of conditions.
Marriage
This is one of the most popular ways by which you can obtain the citizenship of Malta. But there are legal subtleties.
A migrant who has become the legal “soul mate” of a citizen of Malta will only be able to obtain a passport of this state 5 years after marriage. Naturally, the union must remain valid. True, there is an advantage: spouses can live in any city and country. The most important thing is that they be together.
Previously, applications for citizenship were accepted immediately after weddings. This resulted in a rapid increase in the number of fictitious marriages and a violation of the law. So the rules have been tightened.
The nuances of marriage
It is important to note that a migrant who is a spouse of a citizen of Malta can obtain a passport of this country even if he died. Moreover, milder conditions apply to the widowed foreigner. After five years from the date of marriage, he can still apply to the migration service to obtain the citizenship of Malta.
By the way, if the couple divorced after receiving the document, nothing changes. The Maltese passport remains with the one who was once a migrant. Another foreigner can apply if the couple divorced in the fifth year of marriage.
It’s not worth the idea of fictitious registration of relations. In this state, severe fraud is provided for such scams. If it is proved that a person has married for the benefit, then he can be sent to prison for two years.
Naturalization Conditions
Marriage is not the only way to acquire Malta citizenship. How to get the coveted passport using another method? Walk the path of naturalization. But he is very thorny. After all, a person will need 18 years to live in Malta! And then, it is likely that his application for citizenship will not receive approval. Decisions on such matters are not made by the Ministry, but by an organization known as Citizenship and Expatriate Affairs.
As practice shows, the passport by naturalization goes mainly to refugees, as well as to people who managed to obtain asylum in Malta due to a humanitarian disaster or due to other problems.
Obtaining a residence permit
Its presence in the future will help to acquire the citizenship of Malta. But not everyone is allowed to become a resident. Here's what you need to have for this:
- Annual income of at least 23,000 euros.
- Savings amounting to 349 000 at. e.
- Real estate (own or rented house).
It is important to note that a resident cannot work in Malta. To do this, he must acquire the appropriate right. A work permit is issued in the event that a person has found an employer who is ready to approve him for the position. But no one forbids organizing your business.
By the way, income tax is extremely low for residents. Only 15%! In addition, capital gains that are received outside the state are not taxed. Regardless of whether he was subsequently transferred to Malta or not. And even residents can import their utensils, furniture and much more onto the territory of the state without paying customs duties.
In general, in order to avoid problems, a person only needs to file a declaration annually with the appropriate authority and pay the required taxes.
Offer for wealthy people
It is worth noting the cases in which applicants obtain Malta citizenship for investment. Testimonials make sure that this is really the easiest way. This program was launched in 2013, and applications rained instantly. In two years, thanks to investing, the social development fund has replenished by 100 million euros. The program turned out to be popular and profitable, so the government will not close it for a long time.
And this is the point. A person who wants to obtain the citizenship of Malta must become financially beneficial to this state. And live 12 months on its territory (for this you will need to get a multivisa). Then you will need to submit documents to the migration service, attaching to the main package confirmation that he was a resident of Malta for the last year.
What are the investments?
Now you can talk a little more about how to obtain Malta citizenship to a Russian citizen through investment. There are three options.
The first involves the contribution of at least 650,000 euros to the National Development Fund of the country. This is the amount for the main applicant. For the official “soulmate”, as well as for each minor child, the payment is 25,000. e. For children aged 18 to 25 years, as well as parents over 55 years old, you will have to pay 50,000 euros.
The second option is more economical and profitable in all plans. A person only needs to buy property in Malta (at least 350,000 euros). Or rent her. But in this case, you need to pay from 16,000 euros per year.
The essence of the last, third option is to buy securities for 150,000. e. But only bonds or stocks must be on the list approved for participation in the Maltese citizenship investment program.
What about waiting? If the person’s application has been approved, then he can deposit investment funds and present after that the corresponding confirmation. After 1-2 weeks, he will be issued a resident card. It gives the right to freely move around the territory of Schengen countries. And 13 months after that, a person will be given a permanent Maltese ID card.
Failure Cases
Unfortunately, the citizenship of Malta for Russians may remain an unfulfilled dream, even in the case of investment. If you believe the data obtained in the fall of 2016, then every fourth person who wants to get a "golden passport" is refused. Half of the rejected applications are accounted for by Russians. The Maltese government also actively denies Americans, Ukrainians, Indians, Libyans and Chinese.
Why? Because from the side of the Maltese opposition and European officials after the launch of the program, its active criticism began. Concerns arose: what if the applicants turn out to be dishonest persons, scammers and criminals? So the selection process has been tightened. The refusals became more frequent, and their reasons were not even disclosed, since the authorities call this a matter of national security.
However, everything is so clear. Problems begin when the applicant or someone who plans to obtain citizenship with him is faced with a comprehensive Due Diligence check. It includes an analysis of his past activities, sources of wealth and other nuances. All this is aimed at revealing those facts that could harm the country's reputation.
Documents
How to obtain citizenship of Malta to a citizen of Russia? It is necessary to collect a specific package of documents. This is necessary, regardless of which method of obtaining a passport he chose. Here's what you need:
- personal passport;
- criminal record (needed for every adult family member);
- Marriage certificate;
- personal passport;
- birth certificates of children;
- certificate confirming the successful passing of the Maltese or English proficiency test.
People who receive a passport through investment, the last condition is not necessary to comply. And of course, for those who do not have a family, the list of documents is also being reduced.
About long stay
As you can see, the cherished for many, but far from the easiest dream to realize, is the citizenship of Malta. How can I get it - it was said above, and now I would like to discuss the topic regarding a long stay on this island. Many people decide to start living a bit in the state and only then deal with issues related to residence permits.
You can contact the Maltese authorities for a permit that would give the right to stay in the country for more than three months laid down for a tourist. To do this, you need to provide evidence of your solvency and give a good reason to be in Malta. A person who has received such permission will be considered a resident from the point of view of the tax authorities. If he stays in the country for more than 183 days a year, he will have to give the state part of his income. The minimum rate is 15%, the maximum is 35%. The first 8 150 euros - for single citizens - are not taxed. For those who are married, this threshold rises to 11,400. e.
What else should you know?
There is one more nuance that should be borne in mind by everyone who is interested in how to obtain a residence permit in a state such as Malta. Obtaining citizenship can be automatic. But not for everyone. Only for those born on the island. Regardless of what citizenship parents have.
But that is not all. Every child, one of whose parents has the citizenship of this country, can become a Maltese. For this, there is a special program and registration procedure that does not require prior registration of a residence permit and permanent residence in the territory of the state. Since 2015, issues of documentation on this issue have been dealt with in the local Department.
Well, I would like to complete the topic by listing the categories of people who definitely should not count on obtaining Maltese citizenship. The list is short, it includes:
- foreigners serving in the Armed Forces of other states;
- intelligence and counterintelligence officers;
- persons with a criminal past;
- criminals wanted by Interpol or suspected of organized crime and terrorism.
The rest of those who wish to obtain citizenship have opportunities.