The EU's highest court ruled that Malta's 'golden passport' scheme, allowing wealthy non-Europeans to buy EU citizenship, violates EU law. The court emphasized that nationality acquisitions can't be commercial transactions. This legal challenge from Brussels highlighted that while member states can decide on nationality matters, they must adhere to EU laws. The ruling is binding, enforcing compliance from Malta to avoid fines, and underscores risks to mutual trust between member states regarding nationality grants. Similar programs in other countries were abandoned, and Malta had previously excluded specific applications post-Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The acquisition of Union citizenship cannot result from a commercial transaction, according to the EU's Court of Justice ruling against Malta's golden passport scheme.
A member state cannot grant its nationality in exchange for predetermined payments or investments, the court stated, emphasizing compliance with EU law.
Collection
[
|
...
]