Maltese Citizenship by Descent
APPLYING FOR MALTA CITIZENSHIP BY DESCENT
Gaining Maltese Citizenship by Descent Through Ancestors
Having a Maltese parent or grandparent can be a direct path to citizenship for yourself. With Malta being such a beautiful country with such a great economy, that means Maltese ancestry can be a significant opportunity to obtain citizenship with Malta and an EU passport.
While citizenship by investment is the most popular way to become a citizen with Malta, Maltese citizenship by descent proves to be a much simpler (and less expensive) option—as long as you qualify.
The first step when trying to apply for Malta nationality by descent is to confirm your eligibility. There are some qualifications you must meet in order to apply by descent. MDC has put together this guide below to review all the specific eligibility requirements to apply for Maltese citizenship by descent.
Malta Citizenship by Descent at a Glance
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | ● Grandparent: A Maltese grandparent with citizenship by birth. ● Parent: Automatic claim if born within specific periods and conditions (see below). |
| Eligibility Through Parent | Born between Sep 21, 1964, and Jul 31, 1989: ● Born in Malta, father was a citizen ● Born in Malta, father not a citizen and did not have diplomatic immunity. ● Born abroad, father was a Maltese citizen by birth, naturalization, or registration. Born after Aug 1, 1989: ● Born in Malta with one Maltese citizen parent (or parent who had freedom of movement but ceased being a citizen). ● Born abroad with one Maltese citizen parent by birth, naturalization, or registration. |
| Requirements | 1. Direct ancestor (e.g., grandparent) born to Maltese citizens in Malta. 2. Legal proof of connection. |
| Documents Needed | ● Your birth certificate. ● Recent passport-sized photo. ● Your passport. ● Birth and marriage certificates for each generation back to your qualifying ancestor. |
| Application Process | 1. Fill out Form D from the Community Malta Agency. 2. Submit supporting documents. 3. Await approval. 4. Swear the Oath of Allegiance. 5. Register as a citizen. 6. Apply for ID and passport. |
| Application Cost | ● Main application fee: €150 ● Certificate of citizenship: €50 ● Additional fees: ● First re-registration: €15 ● Second re-registration: €20 ● Third re-registration: €25 ● Oath of Allegiance: €10 each ● Affidavit: €10 each ● Declaration: €10 each ● Potential costs for translations and apostilles. |
What is Maltese Nationality by Descent?
Maltese citizenship by descent gives anyone with a Maltese parent or grandparent the chance to become a national—as long as your parent or grandparent had citizenship by birth. You must apply with a formal application and supporting documents proving your grandparent’s citizenship and their directly lineage connection to you.
If you have a parent with Maltese citizenship, it is a more direct path. You may have an automatic claim, provided you meet certain requirements.
Can I get Maltese citizenship through my parent?
If you were born between September 21, 1964, and July 31, 1989, you are automatically a citizen if:
- You were born in Malta: Your father was not a citizen and did not have diplomatic immunity.
- You were born abroad: Your father was a citizen of Malta by birth, naturalization, or registration.
If you were born on or after August 1, 1989, you are automatically a citizen if:
- You were born in Malta: At least one parent was a Maltese citizen (or had freedom of movement but ceased being a citizen through emigration).
- You were born abroad: At least one parent was a Maltese citizen by birth, naturalization, or registration.
Requirements for Maltese Citizenship by Descent
The only real requirements for Malta citizenship by descent are two the following criteria:
- You have a direct ancestor who was a Maltese citizen by being born to Maltese citizens in Malta
- You can legally prove this connection with all supporting documents
This generally only applies to grandparents, but not necessarily. Changes to the Maltese Citizenship Act have opened this up to great-grandparents and, theoretically, as far back as you can go. The limiting factor? Malta only became an independent country in 1964. So, for now, we generally focus on grandparents.
Documents Needed for Malta Citizenship by Descent
Given the rather simple structure of the law, the documents you need to attach to your application are:
- Birth certificate
- Passport-sized photo of yourself (taken recently)
- Your passport
- Birth and marriage certificates for each generation up to your qualifying ancestor (if you qualify for your maternal grandmother, you’ll need her birth and marriage certificates, her Maltese parent’s birth and marriage certificates, and your mother’s)
Visit this page if you’d like to learn more about the documents required to apply for Maltese citizenship.
How to Apply for Maltese Citizenship by Descent
- Fill out Form D from the Community Malta Agency
- Submit supporting documents with the application
- Wait for approval
- Sweat oaths of allegiance
- Register as a citizen
- Apply for ID and passport
Learn more about the process of applying for Maltese citizenship.
How much does the Malta citizenship by descent cost?
The main application fee is €150.
You’ll have to pay a further €50 to receive the certificate registering you as a citizen.
But other fees might spring up through the process that it is worth preparing for:
- First re-registration: €15
- Second re-registration: €20
- Third re-registration: €25
- Swearing Oath of Allegiance: €10 (each)
- Swearing an Affidavit: €10 (each)
- Affirming a Declaration: €10 (each)
Depending on your situation, you might also need to pay official translators and apostille fees to have your documentation in order to be accepted by the Maltese government.
Get Expertise and Support for Maltese Citizenship by Descent
Malta makes citizenship by descent a direct path to an EU passport, though the country’s size and relatively recent independence mean there are few direct descendants of citizens who are not already citizens.
Still, if you qualify, this is definitely a pathway worth considering. And because the country allows for dual citizenship, you will likely be able to keep the benefits of your current citizenship while also being part of an EU member country.
If you are unsure about your qualifications or want to know more about Maltese citizenship in general, consider booking a free call with our expert team. We are happy to clarify any confusion and get you on the right track.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How much does Malta citizenship by descent cost?
The application fee is €150, and you’ll pay an additional €50 at the end of the process to complete your registration. That makes this by far the least expensive way to become a citizen.
Can I get Maltese citizenship through a grandparent?
As long as they were born as citizens to parents who were born citizens, then you qualify.
Can I get dual citizenship through Malta citizenship by descent?
Yes. Malta allows for dual citizenship, so as long as the country you are currently a citizen of allows it, you can.
This page was last updated with help by Marco Permunian
Contact Us
There are many ways to qualify for Malta citizenship by descent. Contact us at (213) 672-6522 to learn if you qualify through your ancestors.
