For a limited group of entrepreneurs, investors, scientists, artists and other high‑achieving individuals, several European states provide a discretionary pathway to citizenship that bypasses the usual residency requirements. These “citizenship by merit” routes are embedded in national law and are granted only when a candidate’s presence, expertise or contribution is deemed to serve the country’s interests.
Malta – Merit‑Based Citizenship (Article 10(9) of the Citizenship Act)
- Legal basis: Article 10(9) of the Maltese Citizenship Act (as amended by Act XXI of 2025).
- Eligibility: Applicants must demonstrate exceptional value to Malta or humanity—such as creating jobs, advancing science or technology, or undertaking significant philanthropic work.
- Process: Requires genuine residency in Malta, a detailed merit and contribution proposal, review by an Independent Evaluation Board, and final approval by the Minister.
Italy – Citizenship in the Special Interest of the State (Article 9(2) of Law No. 91/1992)
- Legal basis: Article 9(2) of Law No. 91/1992.
- Eligibility: The President may grant citizenship to a foreign national who has rendered “eminent services” to Italy or whose naturalisation is judged to be in the special interest of the State. No published criteria exist beyond the standard of eminent service.
Ireland – Citizenship Through Irish Association (Section 16 of the Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956)
- Legal basis: Section 16 of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956.
- Eligibility: The Minister for Justice may waive the usual naturalisation conditions, including the residency requirement, when the applicant has genuine Irish associations—typically a documented family relationship (by blood, marriage or civil partnership) to an Irish citizen, living or deceased.
Portugal – Relevant Services to the Portuguese State (Article 6, paragraph 6 of the Portuguese Nationality Law)
- Legal basis: Article 6.º, n.º 6 of the Portuguese Nationality Law (Lei n.º 37/81, as amended).
- Eligibility: Citizenship may be granted at the discretion of the Council of Ministers to individuals who have rendered “relevant services” to the Portuguese State or national community. This route is distinct from the Golden Visa and other residency programmes.
France – Naturalisation for Exceptional Contribution (Article 21‑19 of the Civil Code)
- Legal basis: Article 21‑19 of the French Civil Code.
- Eligibility: The Minister of the Interior may issue naturalisation by decree for persons who have performed exceptional services for France or whose naturalisation is of exceptional interest to the French state. Cases have included humanitarian, economic and entrepreneurial contributions.
Germany and Bulgaria – Discretionary Naturalisation
- Germany: Section 8 of the German Nationality Act (Staatsangehörigkeitsgesetz, StAG) allows naturalisation when a special public interest exists, commonly applied to individuals with outstanding professional, scientific or sporting achievements.
- Bulgaria: Article 16 of the Bulgarian Citizenship Act permits citizenship without the standard residency or language requirements when the Republic has an interest in the applicant’s naturalisation or when the applicant has made a special contribution in public, economic, scientific, cultural or sporting fields.
These provisions are highly selective and rely on a verifiable record of achievement combined with a demonstrable commitment to the host country’s economic or societal interests. Applications are evaluated on a case‑by‑case basis, and outcomes depend entirely on the discretion of the respective governments.
Source article: knightsbridge.ae
