Malta Ends MEIN Citizenship Scheme, Introduces Strengthened Merit-Based Pathway
In a significant policy change, Malta has officially terminated its Maltese Exceptional Investor Naturalization (MEIN) scheme and announced the extension of its Malta Citizenship by Merit (CBM) structure. The action follows a European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruling that stated the MEIN programme violated EU law due to its transactional nature.
ECJ Decision Pushes Malta to Reform Citizenship Pathway
The ECJ concluded in April 2025 that Malta’s investor citizenship model violated EU principles by offering passports in exchange for predetermined financial contributions, without requiring meaningful ties between the applicant and the nation. In response, Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri declared that Malta would remove all commercial elements from its naturalization process.
What’s Changing?
Under the now-defunct MEIN policy, wealthy foreigners could acquire Maltese citizenship through direct investments. The new Malta Citizenship by Merit discards fixed investment thresholds and removes agent involvement in the application process.
Instead, the CBM model prioritizes individuals who have made exceptional contributions in areas such as science, healthcare, research, culture, job creation, and entrepreneurship. The reforms also expand eligibility to include philanthropists and technologists, with a clear emphasis on aligning applicants’ values with Malta’s national interests.
A More Rigorous and Personalized Process
The government is introducing a more structured evaluation model where each application will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Formal recommendations from sector-specific authorities will be required, and board members will now have the authority to conduct direct interviews with applicants.
Minister Camilleri shared examples to demonstrate the system’s flexibility, such as considering a foreign surgeon who could offer much-needed medical expertise in Malta as the kind of applicant who could qualify under the new framework.
Commitment to Transparency and EU Alignment
Camilleri emphasized that Malta is committed to complying with the EU judgment while reaffirming the country’s sovereign right to determine its citizenship laws. He noted that the new merit-based model not only strengthens the process of granting citizenship but also introduces safeguards for revocation in cases where contributions do not meet expectations.
Applicants who gained citizenship under the previous MEIN system will not be affected by the new changes. However, the government will continue to publish the names of successful applicants to maintain transparency.
Drafting and Parliamentary Review
The amendments were prepared with input from Ganado Advocates and shaped through discussions with both stakeholders and EU representatives. Malta’s Parliament is expected to debate the proposed legislative changes in detail.
Final Thoughts
Malta is embarking on a new, bold path, one that chooses genuine contribution over capital. In ending its Citizenship by Investment scheme and implementing a merit-based system (Malta Citizenship by Merit), the nation is moving more toward EU principles.
This transition reflects a shift toward recognizing citizenship as something earned through meaningful contributions, rather than being primarily tied to financial investment. Malta’s reform is more than just a policy update; it’s a statement of principle in the evolving global conversation around citizenship.
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