Malta's Golden Passport Scheme Illegal, Rules EU Court | JQJO

The EU's Court of Justice ruled that Malta's "golden passport" scheme, allowing citizenship for financial investment (€600,000+), violates EU law. The court deemed the scheme a "commercial transaction," jeopardizing mutual trust between member states. Malta, which suspended the scheme for Russians and Belarusians in 2022, faces potential fines for non-compliance. Former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat called the ruling "political", suggesting possible modifications to the scheme. The EU has long criticized such schemes for security risks and potential for financial crimes.