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Malta Retains Top Global Citizenship Ranking Despite End of Golden Passport Scheme: Malta has retained first place in Henley & Partners’ Global Citizenship Program Index for the 11th consecutive year, despite the closure of its citizenship-by-investment scheme following an EU court ruling. The country’s citizenship-by-merit framework scored 77/100, earning top marks for visa-free access, compliance, residence requirements, and relocation flexibility. Henley reported strong demand for the new programme, which was its second most popular citizenship option after Greece. Malta’s passport also reached a record joint-fifth place globally, offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 183 destinations. (The Times of Malta)
Decision on Superbonus to be made in Budget: Prime Minister Robert Abela has stopped short of committing to a launch date for Labour’s proposed €1,000 annual worker bonus, saying it will be considered alongside other election pledges in upcoming budgets. The scheme, estimated to cost around €200 million a year, was a key campaign promise but faced criticism from business groups over affordability and its exclusion of foreign workers. Abela linked the discussion to Malta’s improving public finances, highlighting the country’s removal from the EU’s excessive deficit procedure after the deficit fell to 2.2% of GDP, below the EU’s 3% limit. (Newsbook)
Registered Unemployment Rises Across All Age Groups in April: New figures from Malta’s National Statistics Office show that registered unemployment increased in April, with just under 1,400 people registering for work—almost 360 more than in the same month last year. The NSO reported rises in unemployment across all age groups. Meanwhile, the number of registered unemployed persons with disabilities fell slightly, decreasing by nine compared with April 2025. The latest data points to a year-on-year increase in jobseekers despite a modest decline among people with disabilities. (TVM News)
Morning Briefing
Maltese MEPs reject call for EU intervention on fireworks sector after Magħtab explosion
Maltese Members of the European Parliament have pushed back against a call by European Parliament Vice President Nicu Ștefănuță for EU-level scrutiny of fireworks manufacturing in Malta following last week’s explosion at a fireworks factory in Magħtab. In a letter circulated to MEPs, the Romanian Green politician urged the European Parliament to examine whether current Maltese and EU safety and environmental rules are sufficient, arguing that repeated incidents point to a “persistent and unacceptable risk” to human life, property and the environment. Ștefănuță also suggested that, where safety cannot be guaranteed, Malta should be required to prohibit fireworks manufacturing and large-scale storage facilities, citing the risks posed by the proximity of such sites to populated and environmentally sensitive areas. However, Maltese MEPs have reportedly rejected the push for EU intervention, signalling that the matter should remain under national jurisdiction. The debate highlights ongoing tensions between calls for harmonised EU safety oversight and member states’ control over culturally and economically sensitive industries such as fireworks production. (Times of Malta)
PM says Malta will not return to Excessive Deficit Procedure
Prime Minister Robert Abela said Malta will “absolutely not” return to the EU’s excessive deficit procedure, insisting the country’s finances are improving steadily. Speaking alongside Finance Minister Clyde Caruana, Abela highlighted Malta’s early exit from the procedure after reducing its budget deficit to 2.2% of GDP, below the EU average of 3.1%. Malta also maintained a debt burden of 46%, with plans to lower it further during this legislature. The government credited its economic strategy, including energy subsidies and measures to shield households and businesses from global shocks, for sustaining growth while avoiding austerity. Abela argued these policies helped Malta become the EU’s fastest-growing economy, with projected annual growth of 4% until 2027 and unemployment remaining around 3%. (The Malta Independent)
Residency Malta Agency CEO Jonathan Cardona passes away
Jonathan Cardona, Chief Executive Officer of Residency Malta Agency, has died, with his passing prompting tributes from across Malta’s political and public administration circles. Cardona, who was appointed CEO of the agency in 2023, had also held a number of senior roles within government entities over the course of his career. His work spanned multiple administrations and areas of public service, where he was regarded as a key figure in the development and implementation of government initiatives. Prime Minister Robert Abela confirmed the news in a social media statement, noting that he had been informed of Cardona’s death during the ceremony in which Malta’s new Cabinet was being sworn in. He described the timing as particularly difficult, saying the news came as a shock despite awareness that Cardona had been facing health challenges in recent months. (TVM News)
