The European Court of Justice has ruled that Malta’s “golden passport” scheme violates EU law, in a landmark decision set to force the island to scrap the commercialisation of EU citizenship.
“A Member State cannot grant its nationality — and indeed European citizenship — in exchange for pre-determined payments or investments, as this essentially amounts to rendering the acquisition of nationality a mere commercial transaction,” the court said.
“By establishing and operating an institutionalised citizenship investment scheme,” Malta had “failed to fulfil its obligations” under the EU treaties that enshrine EU citizenship, the court ruled.
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