Becoming a citizen of Malta: residence and dual nationality

For Americans who settle in Malta for the long term, Maltese citizenship brings EU citizenship with it: the right to live and work anywhere in the EU without a permit. Malta allows dual citizenship, and US law does not make you choose, so naturalising does not mean giving up your US passport. The path takes years and ends with a ministerial decision that is discretionary. This guide explains the legal test in the Maltese Citizenship Act, the process run by Aġenzija Komunità Malta, and what it means on the US side.

The legal test: Article 10 of the Maltese Citizenship Act

The Maltese Citizenship Act, Chapter 188 of the Laws of Malta, sets out naturalisation for foreigners in Article 10(1). The Minister may grant a certificate of naturalisation to an adult foreigner or stateless person who satisfies the Minister that they:

1. have resided in Malta throughout the twelve months immediately before the application date,
2. have resided in Malta for at least four years in total during the six years before that twelve-month period,
3. have adequate knowledge of Maltese or English,
4. are of good character, and
5. would be a suitable citizen of Malta.

In practice this means at least five years of residence within the last seven, with the final year unbroken. The Act lets the Minister, in special circumstances, count residence from earlier than seven years before the application.

The Citizenship Regulations (Subsidiary Legislation 188.01) contain Form E, the application for naturalisation under Article 10(1). Its declaration repeats the residence periods, good character and language knowledge, and asks for your place and date of birth, nationality at birth, evidence of citizenship, occupation, marital status, parents' details and any previous applications or name changes.

### What "throughout the twelve months" means

The twelve months before you apply must be continuous residence. Long trips abroad in that year can be a problem. Keep travel records, and plan major travel for earlier in the residence period.

### Language

English is enough. For Americans, this is the easiest part of the test. Learning Maltese is still worth doing for daily life and integration, but the Act does not require it if you have adequate English.

The process with Komunità Malta

Aġenzija Komunità Malta handles citizenship applications. Its page on acquiring citizenship by naturalisation explains the steps.

### Step 1: residence certificate appointment

Before applying, you book an appointment with the agency so it can compile a residence certificate. Bring your current passport and all expired passports that cover your time in Malta. The agency uses them to check your residence periods. Do not throw away old passports while you live in Malta.

### Step 2: eligibility and documents

Once the agency has assessed the residence certificate and confirmed you are eligible to proceed, it asks for additional documents.

### Step 3: two sponsors

The application needs two sponsors who are not relatives. Their signatures must be witnessed and countersigned by another person. The first sponsor must be from a list that includes:

• a member of Parliament, a judge or a magistrate,
• an advocate, notary public or legal procurator,
• a medical practitioner,
• a public officer not below the rank of principal,
• a police officer not below the rank of inspector,
• an officer of the Armed Forces of Malta not below the rank of captain,
• a parish priest.

Building ties in your community over your years of residence makes this step easier.

### Step 4: application and oath

You submit the completed application form to the agency, which administers the necessary oaths, including the Oath of Allegiance to the Republic of Malta.

### Step 5: decision and certificate

Komunità Malta states that the Minister has discretion to grant or refuse the application. If successful, you become a citizen from the date on your certificate of naturalisation and collect it from the agency.

### Step 6: registering your birth

If you were born abroad, the agency writes to the Director of Public Registry so your birth certificate can be registered. You take that letter to the Public Registry with your original birth certificate and an official English or Maltese translation if needed. For Americans, a certified US birth certificate is in English, which simplifies this step.

Children

Article 11 of the Act covers minors, and Komunità Malta's page describes this separately. Children can be included through the parent's process, subject to the Act and the Minister's discretion.

Integration course for third-country nationals

Separately from citizenship, the Department of Examinations lists a course and assessment for third-country nationals living in Malta covering Maltese culture and language, with applications through Identità. It is linked to residence status, not naturalisation, so check whether it applies to your permit.

What counts as residence

The years you count need to be lawful residence. Keep your residence cards, registered leases, tax returns and social security records. These show where you lived and when, and they help if the agency asks questions.

The US side: dual nationality

The State Department's page on dual nationality explains that US law does not require a US citizen to choose between US citizenship and another nationality. A US citizen may naturalise in another country without losing US citizenship. USAGov's dual citizenship page says the same and notes that dual citizens owe allegiance to both countries.

Practical rules from the State Department:

• Use your US passport to leave and enter the US. US law requires US citizens to do this, even if you hold another passport.
• You remain subject to US law, including US tax filing. Becoming Maltese does not end your US tax obligations.
• Loss of US nationality only happens if you voluntarily perform a specified act, such as formal renunciation, with the intention of giving up US citizenship. Naturalising in Malta to gain Maltese and EU citizenship is not, by itself, such an act.

Use your Maltese passport for entering and leaving Malta and other EU countries, and your US passport for the US.

Timeline example

• Year 0: arrive on a residence permit, register lease and tax number.
• Years 1 to 5: keep lawful residence, file Maltese tax returns, keep records.
• Year 5 or later: final twelve months continuous, with four years in the previous six.
• Book the residence certificate appointment, find sponsors and submit.
• After approval: oath, certificate, birth registration and Maltese ID and passport.

Common questions

How many years do I need to live in Malta to apply for citizenship? Article 10 of the Maltese Citizenship Act requires residence throughout the 12 months before applying plus at least four years in total during the previous six years.

Do I need to speak Maltese to become a citizen? No. The Act requires adequate knowledge of Maltese or English.

Can I keep my US citizenship if I become Maltese? Yes. The State Department says US law does not require you to choose. You must still use your US passport to enter and leave the US, and US tax filing continues.

Is approval of a naturalisation application guaranteed? No. Komunità Malta states that the Minister has discretion to grant or refuse an application even when the criteria are met.