Maltese passport

Last updated
  • Maltese passport
  • Passaport Malti
Malta passport.png
Type Passport
Issued byFlag of Malta.svg  Malta
First issued29 September 2008 [1] (biometric passport)
PurposeIdentification
Eligibility Maltese citizenship
Expiration10 years
Cost
  • €70-80 (applicants aged 16 and over; higher fee applies April to August)
  • €40 (applicants aged 10 to 15)
  • €16 (applicants under 4) [2]

The Maltese passport (Maltese : passaport Malti) is a passport that is issued to citizens of Malta. Every Maltese citizen is also a Commonwealth citizen and citizen of the European Union. The passport, along with the national identity card, allows for free rights of movement and residence in all member states of the European Economic Area, as well as Switzerland.

Contents

Physical appearance

Maltese passports share the common design standards of European Union passports. The cover is burgundy with the coat of arms of Malta emblazoned in the centre. The words "UNJONI EWROPEA" (English: European Union) and "MALTA" are inscribed above the coat of arms and the word "PASSAPORT" (English: Passport) and the international biometric passport symbol are inscribed below it.

Passport note

The passport contains a note from the issuing authority addressed to the authorities of all other states, identifying the bearer as a citizen of Malta and requesting that they be allowed to pass and be treated according to international norms. The note inside of a Maltese passport states:

The Maltese Government requests all those whom it may concern to allow the bearer to pass freely without let or hindrance and to afford the bearer every assistance and protection as may be necessary.

Every citizen of the Union shall, in the territory of a non-EU country in which the Member State of which he is a national is not represented, be entitled to protection by the diplomatic or consular authorities of any Member State, on the same conditions of the nationals of that State.

Visa requirements

Visa requirements for Maltese citizens
.mw-parser-output .legend{page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid-column}.mw-parser-output .legend-color{display:inline-block;min-width:1.25em;height:1.25em;line-height:1.25;margin:1px 0;text-align:center;border:1px solid black;background-color:transparent;color:black}.mw-parser-output .legend-text{}
Malta
Freedom of movement
Visa free
Visa issued upon arrival
eVisa
Visa available both on arrival or online
Visa required prior to arrival Visa Requirements for Maltese Citizens.svg
Visa requirements for Maltese citizens
  Malta
  Freedom of movement
  Visa free
  Visa issued upon arrival
  eVisa
  Visa available both on arrival or online
  Visa required prior to arrival

Visa requirements for Maltese citizens are administrative entry restrictions imposed by the authorities of foreign states on citizens of Malta. As of 19 July 2022, Maltese citizens had visa-free or visa on arrival access (including eTAs) to 185 countries and territories, ranking the Maltese passport 8th in the world in terms of travel freedom (tied with Australian, Canadian, Czech, and Greek passports) according to the Henley Passport Index. [3] Additionally, Arton Capital's Passport Index ranked the Maltese passport 5th in the world in terms of travel freedom, with a mobility score of 171 (tied with Singaporean and Slovak passports), as of 6 January 2023. [4]

Maltese citizens can live and work in any country within the European Economic Area (including the member states of the EU and the European Free Trade Association) as a result of the right of free movement and residence granted in Article 21 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. [5]

Investment-based citizenship scheme

Malta began a citizenship by investment scheme in 2014 known as the Individual Investor Programme (IIP) [6] where non-citizens could apply for Maltese citizenship in exchange for a significant contribution to a national development fund and other Maltese investments, contingent on maintaining residence in Malta and passing criminal background checks. [7] Henley & Partners was originally appointed as sole agent to administer the IIP, but the Maltese government later opened the scheme to Maltese firms too. The procedure is overseen by the Citizenship Unit of the government's Identity Malta Agency. [8]

The number and background of persons granted Maltese citizenship based on investment is unknown, as the Maltese government does not publish such data. Malta's Data Protection Commissioner confirmed that the publication of the number of passport buyers and their country of origin “may prejudice relations with a number of the countries of origin” and that revealing the agencies that handled their application “could reasonably be expected to prejudice commercial interests and, ultimately, the competitiveness of approved agents as it would reveal commercially-sensitive information”. [8]

The list of persons who were naturalised Maltese in the year 2015 [9] includes over 900 names (listed by first name) without indication of previous/second citizenships and of reasons for naturalisation. Maltese politicians and commentators outside of the country viewed this process negatively, due to its potential for abuse by rich individuals who wished to acquire EU citizenship. The Maltese government, however, stated that these applications underwent careful scrutiny. [10] The European Parliament had objected to the programme as a sell-out of EU citizenship. [11]

The income from Malta's passport sale amounted to €163.5 million in 2016. Of this, 70% is deposited in the National Development and Social Fund (NDSF), which was set up in July 2016. The use of the fund by the government is not regulated. [12]

Criticism

The scheme has often come under fire[ by whom? ] for being a fraudulent scheme where the Maltese Government sells EU citizenship to anyone willing to pay the price, legitimately or illegally, to the detriment of the Maltese people and the European Union as a whole. [13] Many who were granted a Maltese passport were found to be large-scale international criminals with ties to money laundering in multiple countries. The background checks performed on those willing to pay for citizenship have been criticized as being almost non-existent. [14]

Although the scheme is leaving money in the Maltese economy, it is doing so at the expense of the average Maltese citizen, as the Golden Passport scheme is partly responsible for the enormous inflation of the Maltese Housing Index since its introduction. [15] This phenomenon occurs because passport applicants are required to purchase or rent a property in Malta in order for the passport to be granted. Many of these properties have been found to left vacant with the owner in some occasions never even stepping foot in Malta. [16]

With the contraction of the housing supply playing its part in pushing property prices to record levels, the average Maltese citizen is being priced out. With rents also on the increase the island has started to see the prevalence of homelessness, something which before these last few years was non-existent in Malta.[ citation needed ]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maltese nationality law</span>

Maltese nationality law details the conditions by which a person is a national of Malta. The primary law governing nationality regulations is the Maltese Citizenship Act, which came into force on 21 September 1964. Malta is a member state of the European Union (EU) and all Maltese nationals are EU citizens. They have automatic and permanent permission to live and work in any EU or European Free Trade Association (EFTA) country and may vote in elections to the European Parliament.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Czech nationality law</span>

The citizenship law of the Czech Republic is based on the principles of jus sanguinis or "right by blood". In other words, descent from a Czech parent is the primary method of acquiring Czech citizenship. Birth on Czech territory without a Czech parent is in itself insufficient for the conferral of Czech citizenship. Every Czech citizen is also a citizen of the European Union. The law came into effect on 1 January 1993, the date of the dissolution of Czechoslovakia, and has been amended in 1993, 1995, 1996, 1999, 2002, 2003, and 2005. Since 1 January 2014, multiple citizenship under Czech law is allowed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hungarian nationality law</span>

Hungarian nationality law is based on the principles of jus sanguinis. Hungarian citizenship can be acquired by descent from a Hungarian parent, or by naturalisation. A person born in Hungary to foreign parents does not generally acquire Hungarian citizenship. A Hungarian citizen is also a citizen of the European Union.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">French passport</span> Passport issued to French citizens

A French passport is an identity document issued to French citizens. Besides enabling the bearer to travel internationally and serving as indication of French nationality, the passport facilitates the process of securing assistance from French consular officials abroad or other European Union member states in case a French consular is absent, if needed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Turkish nationality law</span>

Turkish nationality law is based primarily on the principle of jus sanguinis. Children who are born to a Turkish mother or a Turkish father are Turkish citizens from birth. The intention to renounce Turkish citizenship is submitted in Turkey by a petition to the highest administrative official in the concerned person's place of residence, and when overseas to the Turkish consulate. Documents processed by these authorities are forwarded to the Ministry of Interior (Turkey) for appropriate action.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Romanian passport</span> Passport of Romania issued to Romanian citizens

Romanian passport is an international travel document issued to nationals of Romania, and may also serve as proof of Romanian citizenship. Besides enabling the bearer to travel internationally and serving as indication of Romanian citizenship, the passport facilitates the process of securing assistance from Romanian consular officials abroad or other European Union member states in case a Romanian consular is absent, if needed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cypriot passport</span> Passports issued to citizens of Cyprus

Cypriot passports are issued to citizens of Cyprus. Every Cypriot citizen is also a Commonwealth citizen and a citizen of the European Union. The Cypriot passport, along with the Cypriot identity card, allows for free right of movement and residence in any of the states of the European Union, European Economic Area, and Switzerland. As of October 2024, Cypriot citizens had visa-free or visa on arrival access to 178 countries and territories, ranking the Cypriot passport 13th in terms of travel freedom according to the Henley Passport Index. Cypriot citizens can live and work in any country within the EU as a result of the right of free movement and residence granted in Article 21 of the EU Treaty. The Republic of Cyprus was formed in 1960. All persons who were citizens of the Republic of Cyprus at this time are entitled to renew their citizenship and passport, whether living on the island or abroad within the diaspora. Their descendants, whether living on the island or abroad, are equally entitled to obtain Cypriot citizenship and passport. These citizens include the Greek and Turkish people, as well as the much smaller communities of Jewish and Armenian heritage.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Montenegrin passport</span>

The Montenegrin passport is the primary document for international travel issued by Montenegro.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Estonian passport</span> Passport of the Republic of Estonia issued to Estonian citizens

An Estonian passport is an international travel document issued to citizens of Estonia, and may also serve as proof of Estonian citizenship. Besides enabling the bearer to travel internationally and serving as indication of Estonian citizenship, the passport facilitates the process of securing assistance from Estonian consular officials abroad or other European Union member states in case an Estonian consular is absent, if needed. If an Estonian citizen wishes to receive an identity document, especially an Estonian passport, somewhere other than the foreign representation of the Republic of Estonia, then the bearer of the Estonian citizenship staying abroad could receive the travel documents in embassies of any EU country worldwide by paying 50 Euro. Many countries require passport validity of no less than 6 months and one or two blank pages.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bulgarian passport</span> Passport of the Republic of Bulgaria issued to Bulgarian citizens

A Bulgarian passport is an international travel document issued to nationals of Bulgaria, and may also serve as proof of Bulgarian citizenship. Besides enabling the bearer to travel internationally and serving as indication of Bulgarian citizenship, the passport facilitates the process of securing assistance from Bulgarian consular officials abroad or other European Union member states in case a Bulgarian consular is absent, if needed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Belgian passport</span> International identification document of Belgium

A Belgian passport is a travel document issued by Belgium to Belgian citizens to facilitate international travel. It grants the bearer international passage in accordance with visa requirements and serves as proof of citizenship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Danish passport</span> Passports issued to citizens of the Kingdom of Denmark

A Danish passport is an identity document issued to citizens of the Kingdom of Denmark to facilitate international travel. Besides serving as proof of Danish citizenship, they facilitate the process of securing assistance from Danish consular officials abroad.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Austrian passport</span> Passport of the Republic of Austria issued to Austrian citizens

An Austrian passport is an identity document issued to citizens of Austria to facilitate international travel. Every Austrian citizen is also a citizen of the European Union. The passport, along with the national identity card, allows for free rights of movement and residence in any of the states of the European Economic Area and Switzerland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Estonian nationality law</span>

Estonian citizenship law details the conditions by which a person is a citizen of Estonia. The primary law currently governing these requirements is the Citizenship Act, which came into force on 1 April 1995.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bulgarian nationality law</span>

Bulgarian nationality law is governed by the Constitution of Bulgaria of 1991 and the citizenship law of 1999.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Croatian nationality law</span>

The Croatian nationality law dates back from June 26, 1991, with amendments on May 8, 1992, October 28, 2011, and January 1, 2020, and an interpretation of the Constitutional Court in 1993. It is based upon the Constitution of Croatia. It is mainly based on jus sanguinis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vanuatu passport</span> Passport

The Vanuatu passport is an international travel document issued to Vanuatu citizens.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Moroccan passport</span> Passports issued to citizens and nationals of Morocco

Moroccan passports are issued to nationals and citizens of Morocco for the purpose of international travel. Besides serving as a proof of Moroccan citizenship, they facilitate the process of securing assistance from Moroccan consular officials abroad if needed. Since 15 December 2009, a biometric passport was available for all new applicants. Moroccan citizens can now apply for a passport anytime, anywhere. Launched in tandem with the new enrollment program, a web portal outlining issuance requirements takes applicants through the procedure step by step, from the comfort of their keyboard. Once proof of identity has been gathered, the applicant can fill in an online form to print and submit in person at the prefecture.

Immigrant investor programs are programs that allow individuals to more quickly obtain residence or citizenship of a country in return for making qualifying investments.

Henley & Partners is a British investment migration consultancy based in London. The company offers services to individuals and consults governments on residence and citizenship programs. In some cases, the company even runs the programs on behalf of governments. The company has pioneered the industry of selling citizenship and passports.

References

  1. "Home". www.consilium.europa.eu.
  2. "Passport Office | Identity Malta Agency". October 8, 2019.
  3. "The Henley Passport Index: Q3 2022 Factsheet" (PDF).
  4. "Global Passport Power Rank 2023 | Passport Index 2023". Passport Index - Global Mobility Intelligence.
  5. "Treaty on the Function of the European Union (consolidated version)" (PDF). Eur-lex.europa.eu. Retrieved 2015-04-17.
  6. "Attracting Talent and Trustworthy Investment".
  7. Clenfield, Jason (11 March 2015). "Passport King Christian Kalin Helps Nations Sell Citizenship – Bloomberg Business". Bloomberg.com.
  8. 1 2 "Passport buyers' origins to remain 'a secret'". Times of Malta. 6 October 2017.
  9. "Sorry. The page you are looking for does not exist" (PDF).
  10. Cooper, Harry (17 August 2018). "Malta slammed for cash-for-passport program". Politico. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
  11. "EU citizenship should not be for sale at any price, says European Parliament | News | European Parliament". www.europarl.europa.eu. January 16, 2014.
  12. "Passports without a soul - Michael Briguglio". Times of Malta. 6 November 2017.
  13. "[Opinion] Time to end EU golden visas for corrupt elites". EUobserver. 24 October 2019.
  14. "Fifth Malta cash-for-passports client charged with financial crime this year". October 18, 2019.
  15. "Central Bank Housing Index".
  16. "When a Russian billionaire is registered to half a basement flat, something has got to give - The Malta Independent". www.independent.com.mt.