Multiple Citizenship and Malta’s MPRP: Which Passport to Use?

For internationally mobile individuals and families, having more than one citizenship is increasingly common.

Someone may have been born in one country, built a career in another, acquired a second citizenship through naturalisation and now live somewhere else entirely. When that person decides to apply for residence in Malta, one of the first questions that often comes up is: which passport should I use?

It is tempting to treat this as a simple administrative choice. In an MPRP application, however, it is better to look at the wider picture.

The important question is not just which passport the applicant prefers to use. It is whether their nationality, residence history and supporting documents present a clear and consistent picture.

Declaring Multiple Citizenships in a Malta MPRP Application

The first step should always be to establish exactly which citizenships and residence permits the applicant holds.

Passports and Identity Cards

Having a preferred passport for an application does not mean that other nationalities or residence permits can be left out. For an MPRP application, the Residency Malta Agency requires certified true copies of all international passports where an applicant holds more than one passport. Identity cards from each country of citizenship are also required where applicable. Where a country does not issue an identity card, or one is not mandatory, an explanation is required.

The same applies to residence permits. If an applicant holds more than one valid residence permit, certified true copies should be provided.

Residence Permits and Police Conduct Certificates

The applicant’s residence history is also important. Police conduct certificates are generally required from the country of origin and from countries where the applicant has resided for more than six months during the last ten years. For someone who has moved between several countries, gathering these documents can take some time, so it is worth identifying the requirements early.

This is why the question of nationality should be addressed at the beginning of the process rather than when the application is already being prepared.

How Nationality Affects MPRP Eligibility

Before deciding which passport to present, it is important to establish whether any of the applicant’s nationalities affect eligibility for the MPRP.

Eligibility for Third-Country Nationals

The MPRP is available to third-country nationals (non-EU/EEA/Swiss). Where an applicant holds more than one citizenship, the full nationality profile should therefore be considered rather than looking only at the passport the applicant intends to use.

Nationality Restrictions and Due Diligence

There is also a separate restriction concerning nationals of sanctioned countries. Residency Malta maintains a list of sanctioned countries, which may be revised from time to time. An applicant’s nationality and relevant connections therefore need to be considered as part of the overall eligibility and due diligence assessment.

In other words, having another passport does not automatically change the underlying position.

For a multiple-nationality applicant, the better question is therefore not simply: “Which passport should I apply with?”, but rather: “Given all my nationalities and circumstances, which residence route is available to me?”

Once eligibility has been established, the applicant’s nationality position should be assessed in light of the programme’s requirements and their individual circumstances. Where an applicant holds multiple citizenships, all nationalities must be disclosed, and the nationality to be recorded as primary should be considered carefully in the context of the application.

The choice should be considered in the context of the applicant’s current circumstances, principal place of residence and the documents that support their immigration and personal profile. Most importantly, all other nationalities should still be disclosed.

A Practical Example of Multiple Citizenship

Consider an applicant who holds British, American and Vanuatu citizenship but has been living in Singapore for several years.

It may initially seem attractive to choose whichever passport the applicant considers most convenient for international travel or business. But if the application is presented using a passport that otherwise appears nowhere in the applicant’s records, while the applicant’s Singapore residence permit, bank accounts and company records are all held under another passport, this may create unnecessary questions.

In that situation, it may make more sense for the application to be led by the passport under which the applicant’s current life is primarily documented, while fully disclosing the other citizenships.

Citizenship, Immigration Residence and Tax Residence

That does not mean that nationality, immigration residence and tax residence have to be the same. They are separate concepts. What matters is that the position presented in the application is accurate and can be supported by evidence.

Supporting Your Residence History with Documents

This is particularly relevant where an applicant has lived in several countries.

If someone states that they are resident in a particular jurisdiction, there should normally be documentation capable of supporting that position. Depending on the circumstances, this may include:

• a valid residence permit;
• recent utility bills;
• bank statements showing activity in the relevant jurisdiction;
• employment or business documentation;
• tax residence documentation, where applicable;
• school records for children;
• property ownership or lease documentation; and
• other evidence demonstrating an established connection with the stated country of residence.

The purpose is not to create an unnecessarily complicated evidential exercise. It is simply to make sure that the information provided to the Agency is coherent and can be understood in the context of the applicant’s wider circumstances.

Keeping Passports and MPRP Documents Consistent

For applicants with several nationalities, consistency is particularly important.

Names should correspond across passports and civil-status documents, or any differences should be explained. Residence history should match the immigration documents provided. The stated country of residence should not unexpectedly conflict with bank, employment, property or family documentation.

And where an applicant holds several passports, those passports should be disclosed rather than treated as an administrative detail.

The MPRP is subject to a comprehensive due diligence process. Selecting a passport should therefore never be approached as a way of avoiding scrutiny. The more effective approach is to make the applicant’s circumstances clear from the outset and ensure that the supporting documents tell the same story.

Choosing a Primary Passport: A Practical Starting Point

For someone with multiple citizenships, I would not start with the question: “Which passport gives me the best position?”

I would start with: “Which passport best reflects my current circumstances, and can I demonstrate that position consistently through my documents?”

In many cases, the answer will be obvious. In others, it may require a closer look, particularly where the applicant has recently acquired a new citizenship, holds several residence permits or has moved between different jurisdictions.

A well-prepared MPRP application is not about presenting the most convenient version of an applicant’s circumstances. It is about presenting the circumstances accurately, transparently and in a way that can be properly supported.

How Finanzi Supports MPRP Applicants with Multiple Citizenships

At Finanzi, we regularly work with internationally mobile clients whose personal, professional and residence histories span several countries.

Before an application is submitted, we look at the wider picture: the applicant’s citizenships, residence history, immigration status and supporting documentation. This allows us to identify potential inconsistencies early, clarify what documentation is required and ensure that the application presents a clear and coherent picture.

For clients with multiple citizenships or a history of residence across several jurisdictions, addressing these issues at the outset can help avoid unnecessary questions and delays later in the process.

Please get in touch with us today for a free consultation.

Finanzi is a licensed agent of the Residency Malta Agency (RES-FINA).

This article is intended as general information as of October 2026 and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Requirements are set by the Residency Malta Agency and may change.