Malta Scraps MEIN Policy for Expanded Merit-Based System

Malta ditches CIP for expanded citizenship by merit system targeting philanthropists, tech innovators, and job creators.

Malta will terminate its Maltese Exceptional Investor Naturalization (MEIN) Policy and expand its existing citizenship by merit (CBM) framework following the European Court of Justice ruling that condemned the program’s transactional nature. Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri announced Wednesday that the government will remove all commercial elements from the citizenship process while broadening eligibility criteria for merit-based naturalization.

The European Court of Justice ruled in April that Malta’s MEIN Policy violated EU law by creating “a transactional naturalization procedure in exchange for predetermined payments.” The court determined that such arrangements commercialized EU citizenship without establishing genuine connections between applicants and the member state.

Under the current MEIN Policy, wealthy foreigners can obtain Maltese citizenship through financial contributions. The new framework eliminates these predetermined payment structures and removes the role of agents in the application process.

Malta has operated a parallel CBM system since 2017, which grants citizenship to individuals who provide “exceptional contributions or services” in science, research, sports, art, culture, job creation, investment, and entrepreneurship. The proposed amendments will expand eligibility to include philanthropists and technologists while explicitly recognizing job creation as grounds for exceptional contribution.

Jean-Philippe Chetcuti, founder-managing partner at Chetcuti Cauchi Advocates, describes this as “a more individualized, discretionary approach to naturalization” that represents “Malta’s legislative response to the CJEU’s April 2025 judgment.”

He emphasizes that “the new framework reflects EU legal guidance and introduces a discretionary route based on exceptional services in the national interest.”

This expanded ministerial authority allows for case-by-case assessments of candidates “whose naturalization is of exceptional interest to the Republic of Malta.” Camilleri illustrated this flexibility by describing a hypothetical foreign surgeon who could provide medical services currently unavailable in Malta.

The evaluation process will undergo structural changes under the new framework. The assessment board, which previously offered only opinions on applications, must now provide formal recommendations based on advice from relevant sector authorities. Board members will also gain the authority to interview applicants directly.

Camilleri emphasized that Malta “will honour the judgement of the EU and conform with its ruling,” while noting that “the court also confirmed that the granting of citizenship is a national competency.” The minister explained that Malta “will be expanding and strengthening the way in which citizenship is granted by merit” and that applicants must demonstrate their ability to provide valuable services aligned with Malta’s national objectives rather than meeting financial thresholds.

He says the proposed changes strengthen safeguards for both granting and revoking citizenship. Individuals who obtained citizenship before the new laws take effect will remain subject to their original requirements. The government will continue publishing the names of successful applicants to maintain transparency.

Law firm Ganado Advocates assisted in drafting the amendments following consultations with stakeholders and the European Union. Parliament will debate the proposed changes this evening.

IMI has reached out to Ganado Advocates and will provide updates as they come in.