Some 30 to 40 percent of applicants through Malta's Citizenship-by-Investment program hail from the Middle East, according to Henley and Parners.
Obtaining citizenship in Malta, a member of the European Union, allows individuals full rights of establishment in 28 European Nations. It also could significantly reduce visa hassles when traveling for citizens of many Middle Eastern nations, allowing visa-free access to 166 countries.
The catch? It isn't cheap.
At minimum, single applicants will be looking to shell out north of 900,000 euros (about $1 million). This includes a "donation" to the Maltese government, an investment in stocks and bonds, and a minimum property rental or purchase. Government processing fees also apply.
If you want to add a spouse or children to the deal, the fees increase.
Seems like a steal, but the offer has only attracted around 700 applicants since being put in place last year.
Other countries offer similar options for those with the cash to invest. Henley and Partners manages programs for individuals seeking to purchase citizenship in Antigua and Barbuda, Austria, Cyprus, and St. Kitts and Nevis in addition to Malta. Throughout the world, many other countries have similar programs to attract rich investors.
However, according to Henley and Partners, the Malta program is the best in the world. When analyzed according to reputation, quality of life, visa-free access, processing time, compliance, investment requirements, residence requirements, relocation flexibility, physical visits required and transparency, Malta came out at the top.
So, what are you waiting for? Scrounge up that extra million dollars you have laying around and start the process to purchase your Maltese passport today.