Maltese Citizenship By Marriage or Civil Union

APPLYING FOR MALTA CITIZENSHIP THROUGH MARRIAGE

If you are married to a Maltese citizen, you likely qualify (or will soon qualify) to become a dual citizen of Malta.

Many people in this situation don’t know they could become citizens quickly, using a straightforward marriage application process for Maltese citizenship. Often clients believe they need to live in Malta or have some special ties there in order to apply for citizenship if they are married to a Maltese citizen but they do not.

Read this guide below to find out the details on this route to citizenship and all its many benefits.

Malta Citizenship by marriage

Can I Get Maltese Citizenship Through Marriage?

Yes. It takes a bit of time, but marriage to a Maltese national gives you the chance to become a Maltese citizenship through a marriage application.

Here are the three major requirements:

  • Marriage to a Maltese citizen
  • Married for at least 5 years
  • Have lived together for the last 5 years (not necessarily in Malta)

That last point is worth repeating. You do not need to live in Malta to qualify for Maltese citizenship by marriage.

Steps for Malta Citizenship by Marriage

What Documents Do I Need for Maltese Citizenship Through Marriage?

As with any governmental application process, the documentation must be clear and sufficient. We created an entire guide on documentation to help you through this step.

You’ll need the following documents attached to your application:

  • Passport-sized photo of yourself
  • Marriage certificate (get this registered in Malta before applying)
  • Any previous marriage certificates of either spouse
  • Your birth certificate
  • Your spouse’s birth certificate
  • Your spouse’s passport, ID card, or resident card
  • Birth certificates for your spouse’s parents
  • Marriage certificate of your spouse’s parents
  • A joint affidavit from you and your spouse claiming you have been married for at least 5 years and have lived together the last 5 years
  • Evidence of cohabitation for the last 5 years

Note on Documentation

Documents from other governments must be translated into Maltese or English by an officially recognized translator. You must also apostille these documents to make them officially recognized. We highly recommend taking these steps as early as possible.

How Long Does Maltese Citizenship by Marriage Take?

If you apply as soon as you qualify, you can become a citizen within 6 years of marriage.

If you already meet the necessary 5-year marriage and cohabitation requirements right now, it’s just a matter of gathering the documents, submitting the application, and waiting for processing. That could take less than a year—often about 9 months.

Support for Maltese Citizenship by Marriage

While this pathway to citizenship is fairly simple, plenty of situations can prove challenging. And when you face an obstacle to your dreams coming true, you don’t need to do it alone.

MDC gives you a full suite of Maltese citizenship service packages to choose from. That way, you can get support that fits your exact needs.

We help married couples like yours unite their families under a single nationality, reaping the benefits of Maltese citizenship together and it all starts with a free call.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I become a citizen if I marry someone from Malta?

Yes. All you need to do is register the marriage in Malta and live together for 5 years while married.

If you would have met the requirements of citizenship by marriage had your spouse not passed away, you still qualify through Form B.

You no longer qualify for citizenship through marriage in the event of divorce.

No, you do not. Residence in Malta is not required, but you will need proof that you’ve lived together as a couple for the last 5 years.

No. Malta allows dual citizenship.

This page was last updated by Marco Permunian