On Thursday, 29 September, the European Commission brought Malta’s citizenship-for-investment programme, or “golden passports”, before the Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU). It had sent a letter of formal notice to Valletta in 2020 (see EUROPE 12585/12) and then sent a second one (see EUROPE 12737/33) after a new Maltese scheme was introduced in late 2020.
Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, the European Commission has reiterated its calls to end citizenship programmes, which often benefit Russian oligarchs (see EUROPE 12920/2).
Malta has actually suspended golden passports for Russians and Belarusians but has not done so for nationals from other countries. The European Commission indicates that the country has not, at this time, provided a satisfactory response to its concerns.
“EU values are not for sale”, stated European Commissioner for Justice Didier Reynders.
The European Commission had also sent formal notice to Cyprus on the same matter in 2020—before the country completely put an end to its golden passports in 2021. (Original version in French by Léa Marchal)