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.
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
1. Marriage to a Maltese Citizen
If you are reading this article, chances are you’ve already taken this step If your marriage is registered in Malta, that makes the paperwork much easier. But even couples who’ve registered their marriage outside of Malta qualify—as long as they register in the country before applying.
2. Live Together for 5 Years
This cohabitation requirement effectively proves that the marriage is real, not one born of convenience. You’ll need to be able to prove you were together for this period, too—which means you should be collecting cosigned leases, joint bank account documents, and related paperwork. You’ll benefit and make the marriage application a more streamlined by doing this during the application process.
3. Apply for Malta Citizenship by Marriage
You will use Form B to apply through what is sometimes called citizenship by registration.
When the Community Malta Agency is finished looking over all your documents, you’ll sign your application.
You can do all of this abroad through Malta’s Missions, but we do find that things run more smoothly if you can apply in the country.
4. Await Approval
This part isn’t complicated, but it can be stressful. Be prepared for Malta to ask clarifying questions or request other documents.
5. Register Citizenship and Swear Allegiance
Once approved, you’ll register with the government and swear an oath of allegiance to the country. Congratulations!
You are officially a citizen from the date written on your certificate of registration, and you can call the Community Malta Agency for a time to pick up your certificate. At that time, you’ll be given an official letter from the Agency to the Public Registry Office. You need to take this letter to the Registry so that your birth certificate can be on file.
6. Apply for ID and Passport
While you are already a citizen, these two items let the good news sink in. You and your spouse are citizens of Malta!
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.
What if my spouse dies?
If you would have met the requirements of citizenship by marriage had your spouse not passed away, you still qualify through Form B.
What if we get divorced?
You no longer qualify for citizenship through marriage in the event of divorce.
Do I need to live in Malta to apply for citizenship by marriage?
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.
Do I have to renounce my citizenship to get Maltese citizenship through marriage?
No. Malta allows dual citizenship.
