Malta Golden Passport Declared Illegal by EU Court in 2025 Ruling

In a landmark decision on April 29, 2025, the European Court of Justice ruled that Malta's "golden passport" program is illegal under EU law. The scheme allowed individuals to acquire Maltese citizenship—and thereby EU citizenship—by making substantial financial investments, such as a €750,000 donation and property purchase, often without establishing a genuine connection to the country. 

Key Points of the Ruling
•        Violation of EU Principles: The court determined that the program commercialized EU citizenship, breaching the principles of mutual trust and sincere cooperation among member states. 
•        Undermining EU Citizenship Integrity: The ruling emphasized that EU citizenship is not a commodity and cannot be acquired solely through financial means without a genuine link to the granting member state. 
•        Financial Implications: Since its inception in 2013, the scheme generated over €1.4 billion for Malta. 

Reactions and Consequences
•        European Commission's Stance: The Commission welcomed the ruling, highlighting that such schemes pose risks related to money laundering, corruption, and security. 
•        Malta's Position: The Maltese government expressed disappointment, arguing that citizenship policies fall within national sovereignty and that the program was a legitimate economic strategy. 
•        Broader EU Context: Malta was one of the last EU countries to maintain such a scheme, following the termination of similar programs in Cyprus and Bulgaria. 

Future Implications
The ruling sets a significant precedent for other EU member states with similar investor citizenship programs. It underscores the EU's commitment to safeguarding the integrity of its citizenship framework and ensuring that such programs do not undermine the foundational principles of the Union

Source :-  https://notteglobal.com/malta-golden-passport-declared-illegal-by-eu-court-in-2025-ruling/