These two routes are no longer alike. Malta's citizenship by investment route ended after a 2025 European court ruling, while Latvia Residence by Investment remains open. Here is the current position.
Information, not advice. Figures are indicative and current as of June 2026. Always confirm the present rules with the official program authority and a licensed professional before you act.
Malta operated a route to citizenship by naturalisation for exceptional services by direct investment, often called a golden passport. On 29 April 2025 the Court of Justice of the European Union ruled the scheme breached EU law, and Malta ended it. There is no current Maltese price to quote, and older figures no longer describe an available route.
Latvia Residence by Investment is a different kind of route. It grants a renewable temporary residence permit, not citizenship, through the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs. The comparison below sets a closed citizenship route against an open residence one.
Because the Maltese citizenship by investment route is closed, we do not publish a contribution figure for it. Treat any quoted amount as historical only.
Latvia keeps two main capital routes: company share capital from EUR 50,000, where the company meets a set annual tax level, with a one time state fee, or a subordinated bank deposit from EUR 280,000 held for five years, also with a state fee. Confirm the current figures with the official authority.
There is no live Maltese citizenship by investment timeline, as the route is closed. Latvia issues a residence permit valid for five years that can be renewed. Quoted processing times vary, so confirm with the authority rather than relying on a single number.
Maltese citizenship would have carried a European Union passport, but that outcome is not reachable through a new investment now. Latvia Residence by Investment gives residence in an EU and Schengen country, not a passport. Latvian citizenship is a separate, far longer path under general naturalisation rules.
For anyone starting today, Malta citizenship by investment is no longer an option to plan around. Latvia suits an applicant who wants a straightforward European residence permit with a clear capital route and no physical presence requirement. If your goal is a second passport, neither of these is a quick route now, and any plan should start from the current legal position.
| Item | Malta citizenship by investment | Latvia Residence by Investment |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Ended in 2025 after the EU court ruling | Open |
| Outcome | Citizenship, route closed | Temporary residence, five years, renewable |
| Main routes | Closed, no current figure | Company share capital from EUR 50,000, or subordinated deposit from EUR 280,000, each with a state fee |
| Physical presence | Not applicable | No physical presence required |
| Authority | Formerly the Maltese citizenship authority | Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs |
Figures are indicative and current as of June 2026. Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs, Latvia publishes the binding detail. Verify before you act.
No. On 29 April 2025 the Court of Justice of the European Union ruled the investor citizenship scheme breached EU law, and Malta ended the route in 2025. Treat older figures as historical.
Not directly. It grants residence in an EU and Schengen country. Latvian citizenship is a separate, much longer process under general naturalisation rules.
Company share capital from EUR 50,000 with a state fee, or a subordinated bank deposit from EUR 280,000 held for five years with a state fee. Confirm current figures with the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs.
Information, not advice. Figures are indicative and current as of June 2026. Always confirm the present rules with the official program authority and a licensed professional before you act.
The rules for this route changed recently. Confirm the current position with current guidance before you act.
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