Malta’s citizenship-by-investment program has generated over €1 billion in capital since its launch approximately 18 months ago, making it the world’s most successful program of its kind, according to Henley & Partners, the primary operator of the program.
Henley & Partners stated, “Malta, the EU country that operates the world’s most successful citizenship-by-investment program, having raised over €1 billion in capital since its launch about 18 months ago, has further enhanced its position and now holds the 7th best passport in the world.”
Germany and the UK have maintained their top positions, each offering visa-free access to 173 countries out of a possible 218.
Finland, Sweden, and the US have all dropped to second place.
The four countries with the least favorable passports remain Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia, and Pakistan.
Henley & Partners noted, “The increasing significance of investment migration is evident in the steady growth of countries offering residence and citizenship-by-investment programs. Nations with relevant programs continue to perform strongly, with all now featured in the top 40 of the Index. It is encouraging to see Malta enter the top 10 after launching its Malta Individual Investor Programme, which is ranked as the best citizenship-by-investment program in the world in the Global Residence and Citizenship Programs 2015 report. Portugal, whose program earned the title as best residence-by-investment program, is in 4th position this year; and the leading Caribbean country, Antigua and Barbuda, moved up again this year.”
Henley & Partners emphasized, “The continued development of these countries demonstrates the critical nature of good visa-free access to countries offering investor immigration programs. In turn, this underscores the importance of due diligence in such programs, as the reputation of a country’s passport and its relationships with other nations are only as strong as its newest citizens.”
