Maltese citizenship by descent for Australians

If your parent or grandparent was born in Malta, there's a real chance you can become Maltese without giving up being Australian. For many Maltese-Australians, it's the easiest EU passport going.

The short version

Malta allows dual and multiple citizenship [1], and Smartraveller confirms Malta recognises dual nationality with no military or civil service obligations for dual nationals [3].
Many people born abroad to a Maltese citizen parent are already citizens automatically; the rules depend on your birth date and which parent was Maltese [1].
Descendants in the direct line of a Malta-born ascendant whose parent was also born in Malta can apply for registration using Form K (adults) or Form M (minors) [1].
Registration forms cost €150 to apply plus €50 when you collect your certificate [1].
You can apply from Australia through Malta's High Commission in Canberra or its consulates in Sydney and Melbourne [2].

Why so many Australians qualify

Australia is one of the biggest homes of the Maltese diaspora. The 2021 Census counted 35,413 people in Australia who were born in Malta [4], and Malta's foreign ministry notes that Sydney and Melbourne hold Australia's largest Maltese populations [2]. Add their children and grandchildren and the pool of potentially eligible Australians is very large.

Malta changed its laws several times, which is why the rules look complicated. The key point: whether you're already a citizen, need to register, or need to reacquire citizenship depends on when you and your parents were born and which side of the family the Maltese link is on.

Which route fits you

The Community Malta Agency (Komunità Malta) handles citizenship applications. Its forms are labelled by letter, and picking the right one saves months.

Your situation	What the agency says	Form	Fee
Born abroad on or after 1 August 1989 to a Maltese citizen father or mother	Could acquire citizenship automatically	Separate certificate service	Check with the agency [1]
Born abroad between 21 September 1964 and 31 July 1989 to a Maltese citizen father	Could acquire citizenship automatically	Separate certificate service	Check with the agency [1]
Child of a Maltese-born mother, born before 21 September 1964, or abroad between 21 September 1964 and 1 August 1989	Apply for registration	Form I	€150 + €50 on collection [1]
Adult descendant in the direct line of a Malta-born ascendant whose parent was also born in Malta	Apply for registration	Form K	€150 + €50 on collection [1]
Minor descendant (parent or guardian applies)	Apply for registration	Form M	€150 + €50 on collection [1]
Former citizen who didn't automatically regain citizenship	Apply as a former citizen	Form D	€150 + €50 on collection [1]

Small extras apply, such as €10 for an oath of allegiance or declaration [1]. The agency also offers free Dual Enquiry forms for people who want written confirmation of their status [1].

"I left Malta for Australia years ago. Am I still Maltese?"

Before 2000, many Maltese migrants lost Maltese citizenship when they became Australian. The agency explains that people who were citizens by birth or descent after 21 September 1964, lost citizenship and had lived abroad for at least six years in aggregate automatically became citizens again on 10 February 2000 [1]. Those who don't fit, such as people with less than six years abroad or who had been citizens by registration or naturalisation, apply as former citizens using Form D [1].

If that describes your parent, their status matters for yours. Sort theirs first.

The grandparent route

Form K is the one most grandchildren look at. The test is a direct line back to "an ascendant born in Malta of a parent likewise born in Malta" [1]. In practice, you need to show two consecutive generations born in Malta somewhere in your line. Third and later generations need extra paperwork, such as the death certificate of the Malta-born ascendant and, where it applies, a copy of that ascendant's registration certificate [1].

The paperwork

The agency's checklist for descendants includes [1]:

Your full birth certificate showing both parents' names.
Your marriage certificate, if you're married.
One recent passport-sized photo.
Your passport.
Birth and marriage certificates for each ascendant, proving the direct link to two consecutive generations born in Malta.
For third and later generations, the death certificate of the Malta-born ascendant (if deceased) and their registration certificate (if applicable).

Good news for families who've lost old papers: the agency can obtain Maltese civil status certificates from the Public Registry itself, and it accepts foreign or church records where the registry has gaps [1]. There's a free form that authorises it to fetch them for you [1].

Australian records

You'll need full Australian birth and marriage certificates from the registry of births, deaths and marriages in each state where the events happened. Order them early; "full" certificates show parents' details, which is exactly what Malta needs. If a grandparent became Australian, their naturalisation records can help date when Maltese citizenship was lost.

How to apply from Australia

You don't need to fly to Valletta. Malta's foreign ministry says its consulates handle citizenship applications, passports and document authentication, with consulates in Sydney and Melbourne and honorary consuls in Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane and other cities [2].

Work out your route. Use the table above, or lodge a free Dual Enquiry form if you're unsure [1].
Gather certificates. Australian and Maltese, for every generation in the chain.
Contact the High Commission or consulate. Ask about appointments and current submission arrangements [2].
Submit and pay. €150 on application [1].
Sign and swear. After review, you verify and sign the completed form and take the oath of allegiance, which overseas can be done before an authorised mission official [1].
Collect your certificate. You become a citizen from the date on your certificate of registration, and pay €50 on collection [1].
Register your birth in Malta. For a foreign-born applicant, the agency writes to Malta's Public Registry so your birth can be registered there [1]. You'll need that for a Maltese passport.

The agency doesn't publish a processing time [1]. Plan for months, not weeks, and don't book a one-way flight on the strength of a pending application.

What a Maltese passport changes

Malta is an EU member state, so Maltese citizens can live and work across the EU without the permits other Australians need. Compare that with the Single Permit, which costs €600 for a first application and can take up to four months to decide [5].

In Malta itself, citizenship means no residence permit renewals, no employer sponsorship and access to the same public systems as other Maltese. It also removes the six-month limit that applies to Medicare's reciprocal cover for Australian visitors [6], because you'd be living there as a citizen rather than a visitor. Check your Maltese healthcare entitlement once you're registered and working or resident.

Keeping your Australian citizenship

Australia allows its citizens to hold another citizenship. Malta's agency still reminds applicants to check that their other country permits it, because voluntarily acquiring a new citizenship can cost you your current one in some countries [1]. For Australians, the main things to watch are practical: travel in and out of Australia on your Australian passport, and keep both passports valid.

Your kids

Once you're Maltese, your children may be able to register too, using Form M if they're minors [1]. Our citizenship by descent for babies born overseas guide covers the Australian side for kids born abroad.

Plenty of people in Cooee Malta, our Facebook group for Australians in Malta, have been through this process. Ask how long their file took and which certificates tripped them up.

Maltese citizenship by descent: how Australians with Maltese roots claim an EU passport