Malta Leads Citizenship Index for 11th Year
Malta has once again secured the top position in a major international citizenship ranking, even after closing its controversial golden passport scheme.
According to the latest Global Citizenship Program Index by London-based consultancy Henley and Partners, Malta’s new citizenship-by-merit programme remains the most attractive option in the world. The programme scored 77 out of 100 and ranked first for the 11th consecutive year.
The index compares leading citizenship programmes across several factors. These include visa-free travel, compliance, residence rules, relocation flexibility, quality of life, investment requirements, transparency, and reputation.
Malta received full marks for visa-free or visa-on-arrival access, compliance standards, residence requirements, and relocation flexibility. It scored eight out of 10 for quality of life and physical visit requirements. It received six out of 10 for reputation and five out of 10 for investment requirements and transparency.
New Programme Gains Strong Global Interest
The ranking comes after Malta ended its citizenship-by-investment scheme last year. The scheme, often called the golden passport programme, was closed after the European Union Court of Justice ruled that it violated EU law.
Despite the closure, interest in Maltese citizenship has remained strong. Henley and Partners said Malta’s new citizenship-by-merit initiative has performed well among international applicants.
A company spokesperson said Malta’s programme was the second most popular citizenship or residence option applied for through the firm, behind only Greece. By mid-March, applications had already matched those received between October and December.
This suggests that global demand for Malta’s citizenship route remains high. The index described Malta as a leading investment destination and one of the Mediterranean’s most attractive locations.
Henley and Partners said it received applications from 100 nationalities across 95 countries last year. These applications covered more than 60 residence and citizenship programmes.
Maltese Passport Ranked Among World’s Strongest
Malta’s passport also continues to rank among the most powerful in the world. According to Henley and Partners, the Maltese passport now provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 183 countries.
This year, Malta ranked fifth on the Henley Passport Index. It shared the position with Austria, Greece, and Portugal.
The result is Malta’s highest ranking to date. It also marks a two-place improvement from last year.
The strong passport ranking adds further appeal to Malta’s citizenship-by-merit programme. For many applicants, visa-free mobility, European access, business opportunities, and quality of life remain major attractions.
Malta’s continued success in the index shows that the country has retained its appeal despite legal and political pressure over its former golden passport system.
The new programme now appears to be helping Malta protect its global position while shifting toward a more merit-based citizenship model.
