The so-called “Golden Passports” issued by the Maltese authorities have been ruled in breach of EU law. The European Court of Justice has today declared that the citizenship of an EU member state cannot be sold. The Court thus sided with the EU-Commission’s lawsuit against Malta. Until now, it was possible in Malta to acquire citizenship by paying at least €600,000 — granting buyers the right to live and work in any EU country.

This ruling comes just one day after an investigative report by the Financial Times revealed that numerous Russian nationals had evaded EU sanctions after obtaining Maltese citizenship years ago.

The Greens in the European Parliament have long been campaigning against the sale of EU passports and visas. The Commission’s legal action against Malta was, in part, a result of pressure from the Greens. In light of the recent revelations and the Court’s decision, the Greens are now calling for a plenary debate on “Golden Passports” to be added to next week’s agenda.

Daniel Freund, Co-Chair of the European Parliament’s Anti-Corruption Intergroup, comments:

“At last, the European Court of Justice is drawing a clear line: the EU is not a marketplace for citizenship. European passports are a symbol of our shared values — not a commodity to be bought. 

It is unacceptable that criminals, autocrats, and even terrorists were able to gain access to the EU through so-called Golden Passports. This must stop — everywhere in Europe. 

The fact that Russian citizens could use this route to circumvent EU sanctions is a scandal and undermines our credibility. We need a full and enforceable ban on these practices — in the name of security, the rule of law, and the integrity of our Union.”

Read the Financial Times investigation (English, paywall):
https://www.ft.com/content/b6accfc5-eeca-4a83-a39d-1dc54a7688dd