• Spouse of a Maltese citizen married for at least five (5) years and on the date of application is still married and living with that citizen of Malta (Form B).

• Widow/widower of a person who was a citizen of Malta at the time of his/her death and the widow/widower had been married and living with the now deceased person for at least five (5) years (Form B).

• Widow/widower of a person who was a citizen of Malta at the time of his/her death, and if not for the death of the person, the widower/widower would have been married to that person for five (5) years on the date of application (Form B).

• Widow/widower of a person who passed away before 21st September 1964 and if it were not for his/her death he/she would have automatically become a citizen of Malta (due to the fact that he/she was born in Malta of a parent born in Malta too or was born abroad of a father and a paternal grandparent who were both born in Malta) and the widow/widower was still living with the deceased person at the time of his/her death (Form B).

• Son/daughter born prior to 21st September 1964 of a female born in Malta and who became or would have become, but for her death, a citizen of Malta on the said date [Form I];

• Son/daughter of a female citizen of Malta (who acquired Maltese citizenship by birth in Malta, and who was a citizen of Malta at the time of the son’s/daugher’s birth) and was born outside Malta on or after 21st September 1964 and before 1st August 1989 (Form I).

• Former citizen of Malta and does not qualify automatically for dual citizenship because he/she had not resided for a minimum of six (6) years abroad or was formerly a citizen of Malta by Registration or by Naturalisation (Form D).

• A descendant in the direct line of an ascendant born in Malta of a parent likewise born in Malta. If the descendant is a minor, then the person who has authority over the said minor would need to submit the documents listed, together with documentation empowering him/her to submit such documentation (Form K and Form M).​

• NOTE: To see details on how to apply, along with the required documents and fees, visit Community Agency Malta.

When Malta became an Independent State on 21st September 1964, the Independence Constitution established who would be entitled to an automatic claim to Maltese citizenship by either birth or descent and who may register as a citizen of Malta. Further details can be found here.

The Maltese Citizenship Act (Cap. 188) establishes who may become a citizen of Malta by naturalisation, provided that the applicant satisfies the relative provisions. Article 10(1) of Cap. 188 regulates the acquisition of citizenship on the basis of residence in Malta whilst Article 11 refers to the acquisition of Maltese Citizenship by minors. It is the Minister responsible for citizenship matters who has the discretion to grant or refuse the application under such provisions. Read more here.

When Malta became an Independent State on 21st September 1964, Maltese citizenship legislation did not allow dual citizenship except in the case of minors, who, in order to retain Maltese citizenship were required to renounce their foreign citizenship between their 18th and 19th birthday. Failing to do so they lost their Maltese citizenship on their 19th birthday.

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Those adults, who on the date of Malta’s independence retained any other foreign citizenship, had to renounce it before 21st September 1967. Citizens of Malta who acquired another citizenship by a voluntary act lost their Maltese citizenship automatically on acquiring such foreign citizenship.

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On 1st August 1989, the dual citizenship concept was introduced to the Maltese citizenship legislation, however, this was limited to Maltese emigrants and the persons concerned had to be:

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1. Born in Malta,

2. emigrated to another country of which they became citizens of; and

3. had spent at least six (6) years emigrated in that country.

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Important changes to the said legislation were later made in 2000. Dual or multiple citizenship has now become the rule rather than the exception. As of 10th February 2000, a citizen of Malta could acquire and retain a foreign citizenship/s along with his/her Maltese citizenship. By means of such legislation, Maltese citizenship, was reacquired automatically by those who had ceased to be citizens of Malta prior to such provided that they satisfy certain criteria. If they do not, the reacquisition of Maltese citizenship would be facilitated by means of the person applying to be registered as citizen of Malta.

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More information can be found here.