Malta has once again secured first place in the 2026 Global Citizenship Program Index, reinforcing its position as one of the world's most attractive jurisdictions for alternative citizenship and international mobility. The ranking marks the 11th consecutive year that Malta has led the index compiled by Henley & Partners.

The country’s citizenship-by-merit framework achieved an overall score of 77 out of 100, maintaining a clear lead over Austria and a range of Caribbean citizenship programmes included in the index.

The index evaluates programmes across several factors relevant to globally mobile individuals and families, including visa-free travel access, compliance standards, quality of life, residence obligations, transparency, and relocation flexibility. Malta received top scores in several categories, including compliance, residence requirements, and visa-free mobility.

The result is particularly notable given the closure of Malta’s former citizenship-by-investment programme following an EU court ruling. Since then, Malta has focused on a merit-based naturalisation route aimed at individuals who make exceptional contributions in areas such as technology, philanthropy, entrepreneurship, science, research, sport, and culture.

According to Henley & Partners, demand for the new framework remains strong. The firm reported that Malta’s citizenship-by-merit programme was among its most popular offerings globally, with application volumes in early 2026 already matching levels recorded during the final quarter of the previous year.

Malta’s broader appeal as an international destination continues to be supported by its EU membership, stable regulatory environment, strategic location, and highly ranked passport. Maltese citizens currently enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 183 destinations worldwide, making the passport one of the strongest globally.

The latest ranking suggests that, despite significant changes to its citizenship framework, Malta remains a prominent player in the global residence and citizenship landscape, continuing to attract international interest from individuals seeking mobility, security, and long-term access to Europe.