{"id":"malta-citizenship-by-descent","name":"Maltese citizenship by descent (registration, Forms K and M)","authority":"citizenship_agency","legal_basis":"Maltese Citizenship Act (Cap. 188) article 5(3) for people born outside Malta on or after 21 September 1964, article 3(3) for those born before it; public-interest condition art. 5(8) / 3(7). Consolidated text including Act XXI of 2025.","legal_source":"https://legislation.mt/eli/cap/188/eng/pdf","research_file":"content/malta-services/DESCENT-RESEARCH.md","official_fast_track":{"exists":false,"description":"There is no paid or official expedite for registration by descent.","verified":true},"eligibility":[{"rule":"A person born outside Malta who proves they are a descendant in the direct line of an ascendant born in Malta of a parent likewise born in Malta (two consecutive Malta-born generations somewhere up the line) is entitled to register as a citizen of Malta.","verified":true,"source":"https://legislation.mt/eli/cap/188/eng/pdf","as_of":"2026-10-16"},{"rule":"Since 1 August 2007 (Act X of 2007), registration by descent has been open to second and later generations born abroad.","verified":true,"source":"https://komunita.gov.mt/en/services/acquisition-of-citizenship/","as_of":"2026-10-16"},{"rule":"The Minister must be satisfied that the grant is not contrary to the public interest, and adult applicants take the oath of allegiance.","verified":true,"source":"https://legislation.mt/eli/cap/188/eng/pdf","as_of":"2026-10-16"},{"rule":"Citizenship acquired by registration on the basis of descent is not transmitted automatically to the registrant's children; each later generation registers in its own right.","verified":true,"source":"https://komunita.gov.mt/en/services/acquisition-of-citizenship/","as_of":"2026-10-16"},{"rule":"Anyone already a citizen automatically (born abroad on or after 1 August 1989 to a parent who was a Maltese citizen at the birth) does not need to register by descent.","verified":true,"source":"https://komunita.gov.mt/en/services/acquisition-of-citizenship/","as_of":"2026-10-16"}],"act_xxi_2025":{"text":"Act XXI of 2025 (in force 24 July 2025) replaced every date in the descent-chain provisions of articles 3(4)-(6) and 5(4)-(7) with 1 August 2028.","meaning":"Each 2028 reference concerns the applicant's PARENT or ASCENDANT (died before, alive on, born on or after, or died after that date having applied), i.e. when the family link is deemed to be severed. Parliament: it \"extends the deadline of the date when the link required for the acquisition of citizenship by descent is deemed to be severed following the death of the relevant parent\".","not_a_deadline":"No official text says registration by descent closes on 1 August 2028; it is not a birth or filing cut-off for the applicant.","counsel_pending":"How the alive-on-1-August-2028 rule (art. 5(5)) applies to a family whose descendant parent is living and unregistered needs a warranted Maltese advocate. Never publish advice on it.","verified":true,"sources":["https://legislation.mt/eli/act/2025/21/eng/pdf","https://legislation.mt/eli/cap/188/eng/pdf","https://www.parlament.mt/14th-leg/acts/act-xxi-of-2025/"],"as_of":"2026-10-16"},"forms":[{"name":"Form K (CEA/24): application for registration as a citizen of Malta, under article 3(3) or 5(3)","url":"https://komunita.gov.mt/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Form-K.pdf","who":"An applicant applying in their own name; includes the declaration and the oath of allegiance.","verified":true},{"name":"Form M (CEA/26): application for registration of a minor child, under article 5(3)","url":"https://komunita.gov.mt/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Form-M.pdf","who":"A parent or court-authorised tutor applies for a minor; includes an affidavit from the foreign parent consenting to the application.","verified":true}],"fees_eur":{"currency":"EUR","as_of":"2025-11-07","items":[{"key":"application","label":"Application fee (Form K or M)","amount":150,"verified":true,"source":"https://komunita.gov.mt/en/services/acquisition-of-citizenship/"},{"key":"certificate","label":"Certificate of registration (paid on collection if approved)","amount":50,"verified":true,"source":"https://komunita.gov.mt/en/services/acquisition-of-citizenship/"},{"key":"oath_declaration","label":"Each oath, declaration or affidavit sworn at the Agency","amount":10,"verified":true,"source":"https://komunita.gov.mt/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Form-K.pdf"}]},"documents":{"adult":["Recent passport-size photo","Full birth certificate showing the parents","Marriage certificate, if any","Current passport","Birth and marriage certificates of the parents","Birth and marriage certificates of the ancestors showing two consecutive generations born in Malta","Death certificate of the relevant parent, if applicable","Oath of allegiance"],"minor":["Minor's photo, full birth certificate and current passport","Both parents' passports, ID or residence cards","Parents' birth and marriage certificates","Ancestors' birth and marriage certificates (two Malta-born generations)","Death certificate of the relevant parent, if applicable","Affidavit from the foreign parent"],"notes":"Originals plus photocopies (originals returned). Certified translation for documents not in Maltese or English. The Agency obtains Maltese Public Registry certificates itself; foreign and church records come from the applicant. Third and later generations add the ascendant's registration certificate. Further documents may be requested.","verified":true,"source":"https://komunita.gov.mt/en/services/acquisition-of-citizenship/","as_of":"2026-10-16"},"submission":{"in_malta":"At Aġenzija Komunità Malta: documents reviewed, form verified and signed, oaths administered.","abroad":"Through Malta's embassies or high commissions; oaths before an authorised mission official or a person empowered by local law.","online":false,"after_approval":"Citizen from the date on the certificate of registration, collected from the Agency (€50). For people born abroad the Agency writes to the Public Registry so the foreign birth can be registered in Malta; then ID card and passport.","verified":true,"source":"https://komunita.gov.mt/en/services/acquisition-of-citizenship/"},"processing_time":{"official":null,"note":"No official processing time is published. Never quote a timeframe.","verified":true},"dual_citizenship":{"allowed":true,"since":"2000-02-10","note":"Check whether your other nationality allows it.","verified":true,"source":"https://legislation.mt/eli/cap/188/eng/pdf"},"pain_points":["Proving two consecutive Malta-born generations from old civil and parish records, often with name spellings that differ.","Families unsure whether a living, unregistered parent must register first (2025 amendment): needs individual legal advice.","Foreign records need apostilles and certified translations; minors need the foreign parent's affidavit."],"guides":[{"slug":"maltese-citizens-abroad-guide-2026","title":"Maltese Citizens Abroad: The Complete 2026 Guide to Passports, Births and Marriage","url":"https://www.mirabelloconsultancy.com/blog/maltese-citizens-abroad-guide-2026","languages":11},{"slug":"maltese-citizenship-by-descent-2026","title":"Maltese Citizenship by Descent in 2026: Who Qualifies, Forms K and M, and What the 2028 Date Means","url":"https://www.mirabelloconsultancy.com/blog/maltese-citizenship-by-descent-2026","languages":11},{"slug":"is-my-child-automatically-maltese","title":"Is My Child Automatically Maltese? Citizenship by Birth and Descent Explained","url":"https://www.mirabelloconsultancy.com/blog/is-my-child-automatically-maltese","languages":11}],"human_page":"https://www.mirabelloconsultancy.com/immigration/malta-citizenship-by-descent","residence_country":null,"applies":"both","authorities":{"passport_office":{"name":"Identità, Passport Office","url":"https://identita.gov.mt/passport/","email":"passports.identita@gov.mt","phone":"+356 2590 4100","contact_source":"https://identita.gov.mt/passport-office-main-page (read 2026-10-13)","handles":["passport issue and renewal","urgent passport service","emergency travel documents"]},"public_registry":{"name":"Identità, Public Registry","url":"https://identita.gov.mt/","email":"publicregistry.identita@gov.mt","contact_source":"https://identita.gov.mt/public-registry-main-page (read 2026-10-13)","handles":["birth notification and certificates","registration of foreign births","registration of foreign marriages"]},"citizenship_agency":{"name":"Aġenzija Komunità Malta (Community Malta Agency)","url":"https://komunita.gov.mt/en/services/acquisition-of-citizenship/","email":"citizenship.akm@komunita.gov.mt","phone":"+356 2122 5232","hours":"Monday to Friday 07:30-11:30, closed on Wednesdays","contact_source":"https://komunita.gov.mt/contact-us/ (read 2026-10-13)","handles":["registration as citizen (marriage Form B, maternal-line Form I, descent Forms K/M)","certificate of citizenship","oath of allegiance"],"note":"L.N. 60/2026 renamed the agency 'Aġenzija Komunità Malta'. L.N. 58/2026 repealed the Agents (Licences) Regulations (S.L. 188.05): no agent licence regime applies to marriage/descent/birth routes.","sources":["https://parlament.mt/media/137827/ln58-of-2026.pdf"]},"missions_abroad":{"name":"Maltese embassies, high commissions and consulates","url":"https://missions.foreign.gov.mt/service-fees/","verified":false,"note":"Accept passport applications (biometrics in person), foreign-birth and foreign-marriage registrations, citizenship applications and oaths, and Consent Form I for parents abroad. fee schedule and processing times per mission. (unverified)","network":{"value":"45 missions in 34 countries, across 6 continents","source":"https://missions.foreign.gov.mt/","verified":true,"as_of":"2026-10-16"},"consular_scope_note":"Official site: consulates and the consular sections of embassies and high commissions handle passports and the registration of foreign life events."}},"compliance":{"disclosures":["Government fees are shown separately from Mirabello's service fee, which is confirmed per case.","You must attend in person for biometrics and oaths; we book the appointments and prepare you and your file for them.","Matters needing a legal opinion are referred to a warranted Maltese advocate."]},"mirabello_service":{"positioning":"Specialist preparation, coordination, documentation and follow-up for Maltese citizens and their families, in Malta and abroad. Mirabello never influences or speeds up a government decision.","pricing_display":"quote_on_request","pricing_note":"Government fees itemised with sources; Mirabello service fee confirmed per case.","tiers":[{"id":"essential","name":"Essential","includes":["Eligibility check","Personal document checklist","Form pre-fill (Form A / Form B / Form I)","File review before submission"]},{"id":"full_coordination","name":"Full coordination","includes":["Everything in Essential","Sourcing certificates from the Malta Public Registry and parish archives","Apostille, legalisation and certified translations","Appointment booking (Identità, Komunità or mission)","Courier management","Follow-up until collection"]},{"id":"priority","name":"Priority","includes":["Everything in Full coordination","Dedicated case manager","Coordination of the official urgent passport service and of Agency, Registry and mission appointments","Weekly status chasing with the authorities"]}],"open_items":[],"cta_url":"https://mirabelloconsultancy.com/contact-us-for-your-free-consultation","delivery_model":"Delivered remotely by Mirabello Consultancy from its offices (Zurich, Dubai, Hong Kong SAR), working with the Maltese authorities and missions. Mirabello does not claim a physical presence in Malta."},"kb_version":"0.1.0","kb_last_updated":"2026-10-16","hub_page":"https://www.mirabelloconsultancy.com/maltese-citizen-services","disclaimer":"Provided by Mirabello Consultancy Ltd. for general information only, indicative and subject to change without notice; not legal, financial, tax, or immigration advice, nor an offer or solicitation. Programmes are operated and governed solely by the respective sovereign governments. No warranty of accuracy or completeness; Mirabello accepts no liability for reliance on this information. © Mirabello Consultancy Ltd. This data and its selection, structure and provenance are Mirabello's proprietary compilation — permitted for interactive, attributed use only; systematic bulk extraction, scraping, or redistribution to rebuild a competing dataset is prohibited (acceptable-use terms: https://mcp.mirabelloconsultancy.com/v1/terms). Terms: https://www.mirabelloconsultancy.com/ai","cta":"Ready to proceed? Book a free, discreet consultation with Mirabello Consultancy for an exact, personalised quote.","book_url":"https://www.mirabelloconsultancy.com/contact-us-for-your-free-consultation?utm_source=mcp&utm_medium=ai-agent&utm_campaign=book_consultation&programme=malta-citizenship-by-descent","provider":"Mirabello Consultancy","source":"Mirabello Consultancy","verified_by":"Mirabello Consultancy (IMC member, ACAMS certified)","book_a_consultation":"https://www.mirabelloconsultancy.com/contact-us-for-your-free-consultation","terms":"https://www.mirabelloconsultancy.com/ai","data_updated":"2026-10-16T19:17:12.150Z"}