• Login
  • Register
Nairametrics
  • Home
  • Exclusives
    • Financial Analysis
    • Corporate Stories
    • Interviews
    • Investigations
    • Metrics
    • Economy
    • Nairalytics
  • Markets
    • Currencies
    • Cryptos
    • Commodities
    • Equities
      • Company Results
      • Dividends
      • Stock Market
    • Fixed Income
    • Market Views
    • Securities
  • Sectors
    • Agriculture
    • Aviation
    • Company News
    • Consumer Goods
    • Corporate Updates
    • Corporate deals
    • Corporate Press Releases
    • Energy
    • Entertainment
    • Financial Services
    • Health
    • Hospitality & Travel
    • Manufacturing
    • Real Estate and Construction
    • Renewables & Sustainability
    • Tech News
  • Business News
    • Budget
    • Public Debt
    • Funds Management
    • Tax
  • Financial Literacy
    • Career tips
    • Personal Finance
  • Lifestyle
    • Billionaire Watch
    • Profiles
  • Opinions
    • Blurb
    • Op-Eds
    • Research Analysis
  • Recapitalization
    • Access Holdings Offer
    • Fidelity Bank Offer
    • GTCO Offer
    • Zenith Bank Offer
  • Home
  • Exclusives
    • Financial Analysis
    • Corporate Stories
    • Interviews
    • Investigations
    • Metrics
    • Economy
    • Nairalytics
  • Markets
    • Currencies
    • Cryptos
    • Commodities
    • Equities
      • Company Results
      • Dividends
      • Stock Market
    • Fixed Income
    • Market Views
    • Securities
  • Sectors
    • Agriculture
    • Aviation
    • Company News
    • Consumer Goods
    • Corporate Updates
    • Corporate deals
    • Corporate Press Releases
    • Energy
    • Entertainment
    • Financial Services
    • Health
    • Hospitality & Travel
    • Manufacturing
    • Real Estate and Construction
    • Renewables & Sustainability
    • Tech News
  • Business News
    • Budget
    • Public Debt
    • Funds Management
    • Tax
  • Financial Literacy
    • Career tips
    • Personal Finance
  • Lifestyle
    • Billionaire Watch
    • Profiles
  • Opinions
    • Blurb
    • Op-Eds
    • Research Analysis
  • Recapitalization
    • Access Holdings Offer
    • Fidelity Bank Offer
    • GTCO Offer
    • Zenith Bank Offer
Nairametrics
No Result
View All Result
Home Business News "Japa"

EU Court orders end to Malta’s $1.1 million ‘Golden Passport’ Scheme 

Deborah Dan-Awoh by Deborah Dan-Awoh
April 29, 2025
in "Japa", Business News
EU Court orders end to Malta’s $1.1 million ‘Golden Passport’ Scheme 
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linkedin

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has ruled that Malta must shut down its $1.1 million “golden passport” program, delivering a major blow to citizenship-for-sale schemes across the European Union.

The ruling states that granting nationality in exchange for investment violates the “genuine link” principle of EU citizenship and undermines the bloc’s foundational values.

“A member state cannot grant its nationality and indeed European citizenship—in exchange for predetermined payments or investments, as this essentially amounts to rendering the acquisition of nationality a mere commercial transaction,” the court ruled.

RelatedStories

Top 10 Schengen countries with the highest visa rejection rates in 2024 

Top 10 Schengen countries with the highest visa rejection rates in 2024 

May 21, 2025
Work visas: 10 countries with positive outlook for Nigerians in 2024

JAPA: Country work visas that offer faster family benefits, and fewer barriers for skilled workers 

March 22, 2025

The scheme, formally known as the Individual Investor Programme, allowed foreign nationals to obtain Maltese and, by extension, European Union citizenship in exchange for financial contributions totaling around €1 million($1.1million). These typically included a one-time investment of at least €600,000, a charitable donation, and a property transaction, alongside a nominal three-year residency requirement.

The ruling represents the most forceful repudiation yet of so-called citizenship-by-investment programs, which have long attracted criticism for enabling wealthy individuals, often from politically unstable or sanctioned regions, to acquire EU passports without establishing any meaningful ties to the issuing country.

In recent years, the Commission has intensified its scrutiny of such schemes, citing threats to mutual trust among member states, the integrity of the EU’s common visa policy, and broader security concerns.

What to know 

Malta has been one of the final holdouts in the bloc, continuing to defend the programme even as neighboring countries like Cyprus and Bulgaria dismantled their own versions under EU pressure. In 2022, the European Commission formally brought legal proceedings against Malta, leading to the ECJ’s binding decision this week.

  • The court’s judgment comes amid mounting criticism of the programme’s misuse. The case of Russian businessman Albert Avdolyan, who acquired Maltese citizenship through the scheme and was later sanctioned by the EU over links to the war in Ukraine, has reignited concerns about the system’s vulnerability to abuse. Despite travel bans, Avdolyan reportedly retained mobility within the EU thanks to his Maltese passport.
  • While Malta’s government has insisted its scheme complies with EU treaties and serves as a tool to attract high-value foreign investment, the ECJ emphasized that citizenship requires a genuine connection between the individual and the state, a principle the court found to be absent in Malta’s programme.

The ruling may also cast uncertainty over existing golden passport holders, who could now face heightened scrutiny or even potential revocation challenges, though no retroactive measures have been mandated by the court.


Follow us for Breaking News and Market Intelligence.
Tags: Golden PassportMalta
Deborah Dan-Awoh

Deborah Dan-Awoh

Deborah Dan-Awoh is a seasoned lifestyle analyst with a knack for storytelling. The focus of her work covers people, money and culture as it relates with business and economy. When she's not keeping tabs on the latest trends in lifestyle and finance- Deborah enjoys networking with industry experts to gain insight into major markets as it affects the populace

Related Posts

Top 10 Schengen countries with the highest visa rejection rates in 2024 
"Japa"

Top 10 Schengen countries with the highest visa rejection rates in 2024 

May 21, 2025
Work visas: 10 countries with positive outlook for Nigerians in 2024
"Japa"

JAPA: Country work visas that offer faster family benefits, and fewer barriers for skilled workers 

March 22, 2025
Malta has a residency scheme for founders, co-founders, core employees  
"Japa"

Malta issues 33,455 residence permits as demand for skilled workers grows 

February 16, 2025
Nigerian Imports,Drugs
Economy

Nigeria’s import from Malta reaches new high of N766.81 billion despite controversy 

December 10, 2024
Group warns Matrix Energy against ‘media gagging’, seeks substandard petrol allegations probe
Energy

Group warns Matrix Energy against ‘media gagging’, seeks substandard petrol allegations probe

August 28, 2024
Malta has a residency scheme for founders, co-founders, core employees  
Business News

Malta needs foreign workers across top 20 in-demand jobs 

July 29, 2024
Next Post
NNPC Limited concludes ‘Oleum scratch and win awoof promo’ with exciting grand finale in Lagos 

NNPC Limited concludes 'Oleum scratch and win awoof promo' with exciting grand finale in Lagos 

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Emple
nlng
first bank
Zenth Bank








DUNS

Recent News

  • Dealing Houses worry over CBN forbearance directive, reveals why the timing is inappropriate
  • Africa Re to celebrate retirement Of DMD/COO, Mr. Ken Aghoghovbia
  • Sovereign green bond offer records N91.42 billion, oversubscribed by 183% – DMO 

Follow us on social media:

Recent News

Dealing Houses worry over CBN forbearance directive, reveals why the timing is inappropriate

Dealing Houses worry over CBN forbearance directive, reveals why the timing is inappropriate

June 19, 2025
Africa Re to celebrate retirement Of DMD/COO, Mr. Ken Aghoghovbia

Africa Re to celebrate retirement Of DMD/COO, Mr. Ken Aghoghovbia

June 19, 2025
  • iOS App
  • Android App
  • Contact Us
  • Home
  • Markets
  • Sectors
  • Economy
  • Business News
  • Financial Literacy
  • Disclaimer
  • Ads Disclaimer
  • Copyright Infringement

© 2025 Nairametrics

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
Social Media Auto Publish Powered By : XYZScripts.com
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Exclusives
    • Financial Analysis
    • Corporate Stories
    • Interviews
    • Investigations
    • Metrics
    • Economy
    • Nairalytics
  • Markets
    • Currencies
    • Cryptos
    • Commodities
    • Equities
      • Company Results
      • Dividends
      • Stock Market
    • Fixed Income
    • Market Views
    • Securities
  • Sectors
    • Agriculture
    • Aviation
    • Company News
    • Consumer Goods
    • Corporate Updates
    • Corporate deals
    • Corporate Press Releases
    • Energy
    • Entertainment
    • Financial Services
    • Health
    • Hospitality & Travel
    • Manufacturing
    • Real Estate and Construction
    • Renewables & Sustainability
    • Tech News
  • Business News
    • Budget
    • Public Debt
    • Funds Management
    • Tax
  • Financial Literacy
    • Career tips
    • Personal Finance
  • Lifestyle
    • Billionaire Watch
    • Profiles
  • Opinions
    • Blurb
    • Op-Eds
    • Research Analysis
  • Recapitalization
    • Access Holdings Offer
    • Fidelity Bank Offer
    • GTCO Offer
    • Zenith Bank Offer
  • Login
  • Sign Up

© 2025 Nairametrics