Worldwide: General Immigration

Malta's Citizenship by Merit framework is emerging as a strategic tool for recognising exceptional AI founders, researchers and technologists whose contributions advance national interests or benefit humanity. As artificial intelligence transitions from technological innovation to a matter of national strategy, smaller states like Malta are positioning themselves to compete selectively for exceptional talent and technological capability through citizenship frameworks that value scientific, entrepreneurial

Our Immigration & Tax Law combo Briefing brings together key immigration and tax considerations for non-EU individuals, exploring investment and relocation opportunities in Greece.

Cyprus has introduced an accelerated citizenship pathway for highly skilled foreign employees working for qualifying companies in the Republic. This framework, sometimes called the "Golden Knowledge" route, allows eligible professionals to obtain citizenship after four or five years of qualifying residence, depending on their Greek language proficiency. The regime represents a significant development for international professionals who have established their careers and lives in Cyprus.

Italy's Constitutional Court has referred a critical question to the Court of Justice of the European Union regarding the 2025 reform of Italian citizenship by descent. The case examines whether new restrictions preventing foreign-born individuals with dual citizenship from acquiring Italian nationality comply with EU law, particularly when applied retroactively to people born before the reform.

Malta's Global Residence Programme (GRP) will be replaced by a new Individual Tax Programme from January 2027, introducing substantially higher entry requirements including increased minimum tax obligations and stricter property thresholds. Eligible applicants who submit applications before December 31, 2026 can secure grandfathered status under the current, more favorable GRP terms until 2031, potentially saving significant costs on application fees, property requirements, and annual tax minimums.

Applying for Italian citizenship requires meticulous attention to documentation and application completion. Even minor formal errors can cause significant delays, requests for additional documentation, or outright rejection of your application. Understanding which mistakes to avoid and how to address them when they occur is essential for a successful citizenship application process.

Malta's citizenship and taxation systems operate independently, with tax obligations determined by residence and domicile rather than nationality. The Malta Citizenship by Merit programme allows individuals to acquire citizenship while benefiting from the country's non-domiciled tax regime, which taxes only Malta-sourced income and foreign income remitted to Malta.

1 Concern About Cyprus Relocation - the Only Concern!

For many families living outside Cyprus, Cypriot citizenship by descent is not simply an immigration matter. It is often about preserving a family link with Cyprus, regularising the status of children born abroad...