Malta’s citizenship by investment program has ended, removing one of the most direct ways for wealthy applicants to obtain European Union citizenship. The program previously allowed applicants to donate and pay fees totaling roughly $1 million, with citizenship for the applicant and family in about 18 months.
The end of Malta’s program does not remove all routes to European citizenship. It does, however, force applicants to think more carefully about whether they actually need an EU passport, or whether residence rights, another citizenship, or a cheaper long-term plan would solve the same problem.
Plan A vs Plan B
European citizenship can serve different purposes.
For some people, it is a “Plan B”: a high-quality second passport kept in reserve, especially for those who may one day give up a U.S., UK, or other Western citizenship. In that case, the goal is usually passport strength, global mobility, and a citizenship that feels comparable to the original one.
For others, Europe is “Plan A”: they actually want to move to Malta, Portugal, Italy, Greece, Cyprus, Ireland, or another European country. In that case, a residence permit may be enough, especially if the person’s real need is the ability to live in Europe rather than hold an EU passport immediately.
The key question is whether the applicant needs European citizenship for practical reasons, or whether the desire is driven by status, ego, or the belief that only a top-tier passport is acceptable.
Naturalizing in Malta
One option is to move to Malta and naturalize through ordinary residence.
Malta has a favorable tax regime and can allow residents to pay low taxes compared with many other European countries. In theory, a person can apply for citizenship after five years.
In practice, the transcript says the average naturalization timeline may be closer to 18 years. That makes ordinary naturalization in Malta possible, but not realistic for people who need a passport quickly.
This route may suit someone who wants to live in Malta long term and does not urgently need citizenship.
Fast-Track Naturalization for Major Investors
Some European countries may still offer legal fast-track naturalization for major investors, donors, or people who make important economic contributions.
Austria is one example. It may grant citizenship in rare cases to applicants with the right profile who donate several million euros or invest around €7 million, €8 million, €9 million, or €10 million, depending on the structure and political sensitivity of the investment.
These cases are limited, discretionary, and not guaranteed. Austria may only approve a small number each year, if any.
Other European examples are mentioned where applicants may be considered if they:
- save an important business;
- invest several million dollars;
- create jobs;
- invest in a politically favored sector such as green energy;
- receive the right official recommendation;
- follow a legal framework where the president, prime minister, minister, or parliament can grant citizenship.
These are not standard citizenship by investment programs. They must be based on written legal authority, not informal arrangements or payments to intermediaries.
Timelines may be around one to two years, depending on the country, investment, and process.
Golden Visas as a Residence Route
Golden visas remain a major option for people who want European residence with flexibility.
Spain and Ireland have ended their golden visa programs. Luxembourg and the Netherlands are also described as having closed their options. This reflects a wider trend of European Union countries becoming less welcoming to investor migration.
Some options remain.
Greece
Greece offers golden visa investments ranging from €250,000 to €800,000.
The permit is generally a five-year residence permit that can be renewed. The main advantage is flexibility: the applicant does not need to live in Greece, but can use the residence permit as a European backup option.
Greece also has a lump-sum tax regime that may allow some residents to pay a low fixed amount of tax for many years, even though the country’s standard tax rates are high.
Investment options may include property or bank deposits. However, Greek citizenship is described as unlikely for most golden visa holders unless they are of Greek origin. The Greek golden visa is therefore better viewed as a residence permit than as a reliable route to citizenship.
People with Greek ancestry may instead qualify for Greek citizenship by descent.
Portugal
Portugal is described as a stronger golden visa option for people who want a clearer path to citizenship.
The program has historically required only limited time in Portugal, described as an average of about seven days per year. This is enough for a vacation-style presence rather than full relocation, although future changes are possible.
Portugal’s golden visa may lead to citizenship if the applicant meets the requirements, including language. The transcript also mentions a school route that may avoid taking a language test.
Investment options are generally around €500,000 or more for the more flexible routes, though some options may start at €250,000. Real estate investment is no longer available under the Portuguese golden visa. Investment funds are mentioned as one possible route.
Portugal is more expensive than Greece and lacks a real estate option, but it may offer a better citizenship pathway.
Italy
Italy has several residence options.
One route allows applicants to show income of about €31,000 per year and obtain a one-year residence permit. This type of residence may require actual presence, and the person cannot be gone for more than six months.
Italy also has investor routes ranging from €250,000 to €2 million. The more useful options may be closer to the higher end.
Italy does not offer real estate as a golden visa option. It is also described as sending mixed signals: working on shortening the time to apply for citizenship while also making citizenship by descent harder.
Malta Residence
Malta still has a residence program, separate from the ended citizenship program.
The residence route may require a low six-figure outlay in exchange for the ability to live in Malta. This is far cheaper than the former citizenship program, which was close to seven figures.
For someone who only wants to live in Malta, residence may be enough. But citizenship may still take many years, possibly around 18 years in practice.
Hungary
Hungary has a guest investor visa starting at around €250,000.
There are questions about naturalization. Hungary has sometimes been difficult with language tests, even for people with Hungarian ancestry.
Hungarian citizenship also has a specific limitation for U.S. travel. Only native-born Hungarians whose passport lists Hungary as their place of birth can use ESTA to travel to the United States. Naturalized Hungarian citizens born elsewhere may need a U.S. visa.
By contrast, citizenship from Malta, Italy, Portugal, or Greece would generally provide easier U.S. access.
Citizenship by Descent
Citizenship by descent may be the cheapest way to obtain an EU passport if the applicant qualifies through ancestry.
Many European countries have some form of descent-based citizenship route. Parents and grandparents are the most common qualifying ancestors.
Ireland generally allows claims through grandparents. Many Americans are reportedly applying through Irish ancestry or naturalization.
Italy previously allowed some applicants to trace citizenship back to ancestors from the mid-1800s if the chain was unbroken, but it has recently limited later-generation eligibility.
Poland, Slovakia, Lithuania, and other Central or Eastern European countries may allow claims through great-grandparents or even further back in some cases, depending on factors such as when the ancestor left and whether the country existed at the time.
Scandinavian countries such as Norway may generally be more restrictive, often focusing on parent-based claims.
The practical lesson is to act quickly. European countries are tightening rules, and someone who qualifies today may not qualify later.
Naturalization by Living in Europe
Some people may be better served by moving to a tax-friendly European country and naturalizing through residence.
Cyprus is one example. It has shortened naturalization timelines to as little as three years for people who meet certain criteria, such as professionals with qualifying income. English is widely usable, and Cyprus is tax-friendly.
Cyprus has a non-dom style tax system based on the British model. In simplified terms, foreign income not remitted to Cyprus may not be taxed there. A person earning income abroad may be able to keep overall taxes low while living in Cyprus.
Cyprus citizenship is not quite as strong as Malta’s for U.S. access because Cyprus does not have ESTA access to the United States. But for people who do not care about U.S. travel, it still provides EU citizenship benefits.
Ireland is another English-speaking route. A person may be able to apply for naturalization after five years of residence. Ireland also has a non-dom tax system, which may allow some people to pay little or no tax depending on their profile.
Ireland may appeal to people who want an English-speaking, more progressive European country and can spend the required time there.
Residence Without Citizenship
Not everyone needs a European passport.
If the goal is simply to live in Europe, many countries offer elective residence, passive income, retirement, or similar residence permits. These may require showing income rather than making a large investment.
Countries such as Portugal, Austria, and Italy have income-based residence options. Greece also has routes for retirees.
This can be much cheaper than spending hundreds of thousands or millions of euros on a golden visa or citizenship route.
One possible strategy is to obtain a European residence permit, then use the saved money to obtain one or two non-European citizenships elsewhere. For example, someone could combine a Caribbean citizenship or Turkish citizenship with a European residence permit, depending on their goals.
This may achieve the same practical result at lower cost if the person does not urgently need an EU passport.
Main European Options After Malta
The main alternatives after the end of Malta’s citizenship program are:
- ordinary naturalization in Malta, but likely over a long timeline;
- rare fast-track naturalization through major investment or donation;
- Greece golden visa for flexible residence, but weak citizenship prospects;
- Portugal golden visa for residence with a clearer citizenship path;
- Italy residence or investor routes, with mixed signals on citizenship;
- Malta permanent residence for people who only need residence rights;
- Hungary guest investor visa, with caveats on naturalization and U.S. travel;
- citizenship by descent through European ancestry;
- Cyprus naturalization after residence, potentially as little as three years for qualifying applicants;
- Ireland naturalization after residence, with possible non-dom tax advantages;
- income-based residence permits for those who want to live in Europe without major investment.
Main Takeaway
Malta’s citizenship program ending removes one of the most direct EU citizenship routes, but it does not eliminate European options.
The better question is whether EU citizenship is actually necessary. Some people need a European passport. Others only need European residence. Some may be better served by a cheaper residence permit plus a non-European second passport.
The right path depends on the goal: travel, tax planning, residence, family security, renunciation planning, U.S. access, lifestyle, or long-term citizenship.
The main lesson is to spend only what is needed to achieve the desired result, and to act before European programs become more restrictive.
