Malta's much-debated golden passport initiative, which permits foreigners to acquire citizenship through substantial financial investments, has been declared in violation of EU law by the bloc's top court. The European Commission took Malta to task regarding the program back in 2022, criticizing the sale of Maltese passports which enables respondents to receive EU citizenship and the ability to live in any EU nation for a fee starting at a whopping €600,000 (£509,619) along with property investments and a charitable donation of €10,000.
The EU's Court of Justice expressed that this scheme "amounts to rendering the acquisition of nationality a mere commercial transaction." In light of the ruling, Malta's government is currently silent, while former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat labeled the verdict as politically motivated, expressing confidence it might still proceed with "some changes." The nation may face significant fines if it does not comply with this judgment.
Although each EU country has the authority to decide how nationality is granted, the court argued Malta's program undermines mutual trust within the union. Previously, Malta had suspended the scheme for nationals from Russia and Belarus due to geopolitical tensions. This ruling counters an earlier court advisory, which suggested member states have discretion in determining citizenship without necessarily establishing a "genuine link." With ongoing EU concerns over potential security risks associated with investor citizenship schemes, Malta's golden passport saga is far from over.
The EU's Court of Justice expressed that this scheme "amounts to rendering the acquisition of nationality a mere commercial transaction." In light of the ruling, Malta's government is currently silent, while former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat labeled the verdict as politically motivated, expressing confidence it might still proceed with "some changes." The nation may face significant fines if it does not comply with this judgment.
Although each EU country has the authority to decide how nationality is granted, the court argued Malta's program undermines mutual trust within the union. Previously, Malta had suspended the scheme for nationals from Russia and Belarus due to geopolitical tensions. This ruling counters an earlier court advisory, which suggested member states have discretion in determining citizenship without necessarily establishing a "genuine link." With ongoing EU concerns over potential security risks associated with investor citizenship schemes, Malta's golden passport saga is far from over.
