After arriving in Malta 15 years ago as an English language student with no local ties or resources, Ezgi Harmancı has officially been granted Maltese citizenship.

Ms Harmancı is a seasoned senior consultant and now leads a law firm and advisory firm that operates in Malta, London and Italy.

In a heartfelt announcement shared on LinkedIn, she reflected on the long, tough road that brought her to this milestone, describing the moment as “both surreal and deeply emotional.”

When she first came to Malta, Ms Harmancı described how she had no financial support, no language skills and no network.

“What started as a humble beginning has evolved into a life I once only dreamed of,” she wrote, expressing gratitude to the friends, colleagues and mentors who supported her along the way.

Ms Harmancı also extended special thanks to former President of Malta Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, architect and Chairman at the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development (MCESD) David Xuereb, and Professor Vincent Cassar, all of whom sponsored her citizenship application. She further acknowledged the support of her legal counsel, Alex Perici Calascione.

“I am grateful for every hand that lifted me along the way. As of today, I am not just a resident – I am a proud citizen of Malta. And I will continue to serve, contribute, and honour this country that has become my home,” she concluded.