Archive · 2 Jun 2025
EU Court Orders Malta to End Golden Passport Program
The European Court of Justice ruled that Malta's golden passport program is against EU law.
This program allowed wealthy people to buy citizenship.
The court stated that Malta did not meet its obligations to the EU by offering this program.
Other countries, like Cyprus and Bulgaria, previously had similar programs but have ended them.
The decision comes amid discussions about potential similar programs in the US.
The European Court of Justice ordered Malta to close its golden passport program.
The court determined the program violated EU law.
Malta had suspended the program for Russian and Belarusian citizens.
The ruling concerns the commercialization of EU citizenship.
Cyprus and Bulgaria previously ended similar programs.
- Who
- The European Court of Justice ruled against Malta.
- What
- The European Court of Justice ruled against Malta's golden passport program, ordering its closure.
- When
- April 29
- Where
- Luxembourg (European Court of Justice)
- Why
- The program violated EU law as it commercialized citizenship.
- Ruling Date
- April 29
- Court
- European Court of Justice
- Affected Program
- Malta's golden passport program
- Reason for Ruling
- Violates EU law
- Other Countries with Similar Programs
- Cyprus, Bulgaria (ended programs)