Community Malta Citizenship Agency
Community Malta Agency, Aġenzija Komunita Malta (AKM), was established in 2020 as an independent government entity to receive and process Malta citizenship applications through birth, descent, marriage, adoption, investment and Maltese citizenship by Merit.
The Community Malta Agency (CMA), in Maltese: 'Aġenzija Komunita Malta (AKM)' is the national authority responsible for administering all matters related to Maltese citizenship. It oversees applications submitted on the basis of birth, descent, naturalisation, adoption, marriage, investment and, since 2025, merit. Established in 2020, the Agency ensures that every citizenship application is handled under a transparent and rigorous framework, reflecting Malta’s commitment to integrity and good governance.
Establishment of Community Malta Agency
The Community Malta Agency was established in 2020 as an independent government body within the Ministry for Home Affairs, National Security and Law Enforcement, under the Parliamentary Secretary responsible for Citizenship and Communities.
Before its establishment of Community Malta Agency, two separate citizenship agencies were tasked with the administration and review of Maltese citizenship applications. The Malta Individual Investor Programme Agency was set in May 2018 to administer Malta's Individual Investor Programme whilst the Citizenship Unit was responsible for the administration of the provision of Malta Citizenship legislation. The Citizenship Unit confirmed the national status of a person and processed applications of individuals seeking to apply for Maltese citizenship through naturalisation, registration, descent, marriage and adoption.
The newly set up Community Malta Agency will fall within the Ministry for Home Affairs, National Security and Law Enforcement and more specifically the Parliamentary Secretary responsible for Citizenship and Communities.
Responsibilities of Community Malta Agency
Community Malta is responsible for the processing of applications, the carrying out of enhanced due diligence and putting forward recommendations to the Minister responsible for citizenship in relation to the granting of citizenship or otherwise. Malta conducts gold standard due diligence process and goes into a serious level of detail to ensure that only high quality and reputable applicants are accepted and granted with Maltese citizenship.
The Agency will also have an obligation to keep monitoring applicants who submit a citizenship application through investment for the first five years after being granted citizenship.
Supervision of Community Malta Agency
The Community Malta Agency is subject to the supervision and unfettered access of the Office of the Citizenship Regulator in relation to applications submitted under the investment route. The Citizenship Regulator is empowered to investigate complaints and shall in the discharge of his duties act in his individual judgement.
Maltese Citizenship by Merit
In July 2025, Malta introduced the Citizenship by Merit Regulations, marking a significant evolution in its nationality framework.
This reform replaces the previous Exceptional Services by Investment route and introduces a merit-based model in line with EU law and Malta’s long-term strategic vision. The Citizenship by Merit model emphasises contribution, service, and alignment with the national interest, rather than transactional investment.
Applications are assessed holistically, taking into account residence, ties, reputation, and the long-term impact of the applicant’s contribution to Malta. This new merit-based approach positions Malta at the forefront of a wider European policy trend towards earned citizenship - reflecting the principle of Contributive Belonging within the European context.