Malta's citizenship scheme has taken the number one spot in a report compiled by Henley & Partners.
Henley & Partners launched its Global Residence and Citizenship Programs 2016 report, which ranks the 19 most relevant residence-by-investment programs as well as the top eight citizenship-by-investment programs available throughout the world today.
"For the second year in a row, Malta's Individual Investor Programme is the top ranking citizenshipby-investment program in the world, with a score of 73 out of 100. The Mediterranean island nation is followed by Cyprus (71), and Antigua and Barbuda (62) in 2nd and 3rd place respectively," the report read.
"A Maltese citizen has the right of settlement in all 28 EU countries and enjoys visa-free travel to 168 countries worldwide including the EU, the US and Canada. For improved visa-free travel, permanent relocation, and financial security, Malta is the way to go".
"The Malta Individual Investor Programme is a modern citizenship-by-investment program designed, implemented and globally promoted by Henley & Partners for the Government of Malta under a Public Services Concession. Moreover, it is considered the world's most advanced and most exclusive citizenship-by-investment program, being capped at 1800 applicants. Compliance and due diligence standards are considered to be the world's strictest, aiming to ensure that only the most respectable of applicants are admitted"
As for Residency programmes, out of the 19 programs reviewed, Portugal's Golden Residence Permit Program has again emerged as the world's best residence-by-investment program, with a score of 80 out of 100. It is followed by Belgium (78) and Austria (77) in 2nd and 3rd place respectively.
In order for a person to acquire Maltese citizenship, one would have to make a contribution to the development of Malta, make a purchase of stocks/bonds, and must undertake a property transaction. "The combined upfront financial requirement, including applicable government charges and citizenship application fees, is just under €900,000, the Henley and Partners website says.