I am interested in the program and living in Malta, but am worried about the residency requirements because I also have obligations in my home country. If I buy a home according to the requirements, how many days a year am I obligated to live in the country?
The residency requirement for the MIIP (citizenship) program does not stipulate any particular number of days in Malta. Residency here is not understood to be a tax residency, which normally would equate to spending more than six months in Malta. The requirement under the MIIP is to have a residence here which is of sufficient time to be able to show the creation of a link to Malta.
The requirement to be resident in Malta for a period of 12 months doesn’t mean that you would need to be physically present in Malta during all 12 months. You need to spend 21 days during the first year after submission of your application. You must only visit Malta only two times: to submit biometrics data in person and also personally take the oath of Maltese citizenship.
You should reside in Malta for five years. However, there is no specific amount of days restriction. Thus, you are free to come and go as you please.
The application mandates a one-year residency requirement before the oath of allegiance part of the citizenship process can be taken. The aforesaid residency requirement does not mandate constant residency in Malta and the authority does take into consideration the personal requirements of the applicant and the initiatives taken by the applicant to get involved within Maltese society. Hence, while an applicant is not required to be constantly in Malta, applicants are required to provide corroborative evidence of their links to Malta with aspects such as: proof of expenses incurred for one's livelihood in Malta, utility bills, business links, memberships within Maltese social activity associations, charitable contributions and the equivalent. All contribute as evidence of the applicant's stay in Malta as a balancing act to periods of absence.
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