Malta, a welcoming destination to expats?

Cheryl Moderator

Member since 15 October 2018

CherylModerator16 April 2025 06:40:02

13251

Hello everyone,

Settling in Malta, like every new environment, can feel like stepping into the unknown and brings many questions: how will it go, how to integrate successfully, etc.
To help smooth this transition, we invite you to share your experience since you landed in Malta, whether recently or a long ago:

What was your first impression when you arrived?

Did you face any challenges while integrating? Any advice on how to overcome them?

Are there any support programs, groups or events to help newcomers settle in?

Do you find it easy to make friends or connections with locals and fellow expats?

What makes Malta a welcoming destination for expats?

Share your insights and experience.

Thank you for your contribution.

Cheryl
禁漫天堂 Team

hanselmar5 Contributor

Member since 11 October 2021

hanselmar5Contributor24 April 2025 21:19:29

105

The Maltese are unique. Integration means you appreciate their culture. However, it is not the aim of Malta to make foreigners citizen of this country. The highest status foreigners can reach is permanent residence. There is nothing beyond unless a foreigner is willing to invest $ 1 million USD or 900 000 Euros.

Moderated by Bhavna last week
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volcane ViP

Member since 03 November 2015

volcaneViP25 April 2025 12:13:47

1077

The Maltese are unique. Integration means you appreciate their culture. However, it is not the aim of Malta to make foreigners citizen of this country. The highest status foreigners can reach is permanent residence. There is nothing beyond unless a foreigner is willing to invest $ 1 million USD or 900 000 Euros. - @hanselmar5

This is just completely false, many have successfully applied and gained citizenship - and not via the route of buying it.

hanselmar5 Contributor

Member since 11 October 2021

hanselmar5Contributor25 April 2025 20:56:01

105

The Maltese are unique. Integration means you appreciate their culture. However, it is not the aim of Malta to make foreigners citizen of this country. The highest status foreigners can reach is permanent residence. There is nothing beyond unless a foreigner is willing to invest $ 1 million USD or 900 000 Euros.聽 - @hanselmar5
This is just completely false, many have successfully applied and gained citizenship - and not via the route of buying it. - @volcane

So far I know nobody who successfully applied. What is offered is a 5 years residence again and again. Even a permanent residence is only given by request and never automatically.

volcane ViP

Member since 03 November 2015

volcaneViP26 April 2025 10:56:36

1077

If you actually apply for citizenship after 18 years or so of living here and you tick all the boxes that needs ticking its quite likely.

Many people have recounted their success stories on Facebook groups etc.

SimCityAT Expert

Member since 08 April 2014

SimCityATExpert26 April 2025 12:14:12

11854

The Maltese are unique. Integration means you appreciate their culture. However, it is not the aim of Malta to make foreigners citizen of this country. The highest status foreigners can reach is permanent residence. There is nothing beyond unless a foreigner is willing to invest $ 1 million USD or 900 000 Euros. - @hanselmar5
This is just completely false, many have successfully applied and gained citizenship - and not via the route of buying it. - @volcane
So far I know nobody who successfully applied. What is offered is a 5 years residence again and again. Even a permanent residence is only given by request and never automatically.
- @hanselmar5

Because you don't know anyone, doesn't mean it doesn't happen.

F0xgl0ve Malta Expert

Member since 11 November 2013

F0xgl0veMalta Expert01 May 2025 07:07:01

1976

@SimCityAT

But it is very rare!

Evreham Contributor

Member since 16 April 2019

EvrehamContributor02 May 2025 15:58:11

141

The Maltese are unique. Integration means you appreciate their culture. However, it is not the aim of Malta to make foreigners citizen of this country. The highest status foreigners can reach is permanent residence. There is nothing beyond unless a foreigner is willing to invest $ 1 million USD or 900 000 Euros. - @hanselmar5
This is just completely false, many have successfully applied and gained citizenship - and not via the route of buying it. - @volcane
So far I know nobody who successfully applied. What is offered is a 5 years residence again and again. Even a permanent residence is only given by request and never automatically.
- @hanselmar5

A quick Google search indicates that from 2013 to 2024, there were a total 28,045 foreigners granted Maltese citizenship, by various means. This could be by decent, marriage, naturalisation on the basis of residence in Malta or by investment.

In 2023, over 2,000 non-Maltese persons were granted citizenship, their names were published in the Maltese Government Gazzette in the annual list of persons who have been naturalised/registered as citizens of Malta.

The last annual figures for the numbers of sucessful applicantions for citizenship by investment was for 2023, being聽 96 applicants,聽 the "Tenth Annual Report on the Granting of Citizenship for Exceptional Services and the Individual Investor Programme of the Government of Malta (1st January 2023 鈥� 31st December 2023)"聽 -聽 Issued February 2025.

Possibly granting聽 Permanent Residence, only on request (not automatically) may be because this could consquence in tax implications on the individual?