EU Court Rules Malta Must Stop Selling 'Golden Passports' to Millionaires

luxembourg - The EU Court has ordered Malta to halt the sale of 'golden passports' to millionaires, violating EU treaties by automatically granting foreign investors EU citizenship.

EU Court Orders Halt to 'Golden Passports' in Malta

The European Court of Justice has ruled that Malta must cease selling 'golden passports' to wealthy individuals who make significant investments in the country. The scheme allows foreign investors to acquire EU citizenship by purchasing expensive properties and donating to charity.

EU Commission Opposition

The European Commission strongly opposes this practice, viewing it as undermining mutual trust between EU member states in granting nationality. Cyprus and Bulgaria have already stopped similar schemes under pressure from Brussels.

Legal Decision and Consequences

The court's verdict emphasizes that the 'commodification of citizenship' violates EU agreements. Malta was warned by the Commission against granting passports to Russian oligarchs. Meanwhile, in the US, President Trump is considering a similar program offering American citizenship for five million dollars.