S.L. 188.6 Art. 6Personswhodonot qualify to be naturalised on the basis of merit. 

(1) A person is disqualified from applying for the grant of a certificate of naturalisation as a citizen of Malta in terms of these regulations if:

(a) he or any of this dependants is or was indicted of an offence before an International Criminal Court or has been

*Vide regulation 25 of Legal Notice 159 of 2025. †Vide regulation 25 of Legal Notice 159 of 2025. ‡Vide regulation 25 of Legal Notice 159 of 2025. arraigned at any time before an International Criminal Court, whether such person has been found innocent or otherwise acquitted for any reason by such Court;

(b) he or any of his dependants, are listed with the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) or Europol;

(c) he or any of his dependants are an actual or potential threat to national security, public policy or public health of Malta;

(d) he or any of his dependants have, at any time, been charged or found guilty of crimes, related to:

(i) terrorism,

(ii) money laundering,

(iii) funding of terrorism,

(iv) crimes against humanity,

(v) war crimes,

(vi) crimes that infringe upon such Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms as established by the European Convention on Human Rights.

(e) he or any of his dependants have, at any time, been charged or found guilty of any criminal offences that disturb the good order of the family, which offences include, without limitation, the following:

(i) paedophilia;

(ii) defilement of minors;

(iii) rape;

(iv) violent indecent assault;

(v) inducing persons under age to prostitution; and

(vi) abduction;

(f) he or any of his dependants have, at any time, been found guilty of, or at any time during the processing of the application, have been interrogated or are suspected of, or have criminal charges brought against them, for any criminal offence THE BASIS OF MERIT

punishable with more than one (1) year imprisonment other than an involuntary offence;

(g) he or any of his dependants are or are likely to be involved in any activity which may cause disrepute to the Republic of Malta;

(h) he or any of his dependants have been denied a visa to a country with whom Malta has visa-free travel arrangements and have not subsequently obtained a visa from such country:

Provided that such applicant may still be considered as eligible to apply if the Agency is satisfied that the visa was not denied on grounds concerning public policy, or serious threats to public security and, or public health under Maltese law;

(i) he or any of his dependants are named or listed in international sanctions applying restrictive measures on them; that the Agency is bound by law, or has opted, to follow.

7.* (1) Applications, other than a proposal letter, shall be made on such forms as may be prescribed under the Citizenship

Regulations. 

(2) The applications and other accompanying documents shall be completed in the Maltese or English language and, if the original language of a document is not Maltese or English, the document shall be accompanied by an authenticated translation into Maltese or English.

(3) All forms shall be signed by the applicant.

(4) All applications submitted for naturalisation in terms of these regulations may be submitted by an applicant, together with his dependants, where applicable, or by such other competent professional as approved by the Agency and duly authorised by the applicant.

(5) All applications shall only be accepted and processed provided that all forms are properly completed, dated, confirmed on oath,where applicable, and signed, and accompanied by all required documents and fees.

(6) The Agency shall ensure that all applications are complete and correct.

(7) If an applicant or any of his dependants, makes a false statement or otherwise omits material information, his application may

*Vide regulation 25 of Legal Notice 159 of 2025. be suspended and/or considered inadmissible.

(8) Where a document is required to be produced under these regulations in support of an application:

(a) such document must be an original document or a certified copy; and

(b) the person certifying the document shall provide the full name, capacity in which the person is acting, residential or business address, telephone number and email address.

(9) The following conditions shall apply to dependants who are below the age of eighteen (18) years of age:

(a) the forms shall be signed by both parents on behalf of the dependant; and

(b) in the case where one parent has sole custody of a dependant, or another person has legal guardianship of a dependant, the appropriate legal documentation shall be provided to demonstrate that sole custody or guardianship was awarded to the said parent or person, as the case may be, by a court of law or other relevant authority.

* 8. Deleted by Legal Notice 159 of 2025.

† 9. Deleted by Legal Notice 159 of 2025.

‡