Maltese citizenship applications by British nationals double since Brexit referendum

VALLETTA, April 20 (Xinhua) -- Applications of British citizens seeking to apply for Maltese citizenship have doubled since the Brexit referendum last June, local newspaper The Malta Independent reported on Thursday.

In 2016, the Maltese government received a total of 424 applications, more than double the 204 applications received in 2015.

The upcoming year is also expected to see an increase in applications, with the government citizenship agency Identity Malta already receiving 133 applications in the first three months of 2017.

The citizenship unit at Identity Malta approved 181 applications in 2016, compared to 84 in 2015; 57 applications have already been approved in 2017.