Malta is the world’s 10 smallest country by area and fourth most densely populated sovereign country. It is the best investment destination for high-net worth individuals, according to the latest CBI Power Rankings Index by Astons, the international experts on residency and citizenship through investment (CBI).
Since April 4, 2019, George Vella, 81, has been serving as the 10th president of Malta, which is home to mixed martial artists Clive Cauchi, 30, Isac Nappa, 28, and Matthew Camilleri, 27. On November 18, 2023, Ella Portelli, 22, will represent Malta at Miss Universe 2023 in San Salvador, El Salvador.
To create the CBI Power Rankings Index, Astons analyzed and ranked 12 nations that currently offer citizenship via direct investment (CBI) based on the eight factors namely cost, passport strength, crime level and safety, healthcare, tax, life expectancy, national economy and education. Antigua and Barbuda ranked second and Saint Kitts and Nevis is third while Saint Lucia, Grenada, North Macedonia, Vanuatu, Dominica, Turkiye, Jordan, Egypt and Cambodia are the other countries in the Top 12.
With a minimum investment requirement of $759,360, Malta boasts the highest investment threshold of all the CBI nations considered and therefore ranks lowest with an index score of 0.2. However, Maltese citizenship allows for visa-free travel to 172 nations, which gives Malta an index score of 1.3 in the passport category, the strongest of all CBI nations.
According to Astons USA immigration expert Alena Lesina, Malta has one of the highest investment thresholds of all CBI nations as well as a higher rate of tax for high-earners in comparison to other CBI nations. However, she said, these factors are offset considerably by the other benefits Maltese citizenship provides.
“The country is one of the safest within our index and the CBI landscape, it also boasts a great education system, good healthcare and a substantially high degree of visa-free travel,” Lesina said of Malta. “These are often some of the most influential factors when it comes to the decision making process of high-net worth individuals, who tend to think with their family first and the provision of a better life for their children.”
Lesina explained that investing in Malta may come at a higher price than the other CBI locations but it is certainly money well spent for those considering the full range of benefits that CBI investment can bring. She emphasized that “while Malta is the only EU country to have retained its CBI program, this matter is being litigated with the European Commission so those considering Malta as a pathway of investment should do so with a matter or urgency”.
CONAN Daily 