Malta's scheme grants nationality in exchange for predetermined payments or investments.
The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) on April 29, 2025, issued a decision (case ) finding Malta's investor citizenship scheme in breach of EU law. The scheme, which offered nationality in exchange for financial investments, was deemed to violate EU law.
The European Commission initiated the case, arguing that Malta's scheme compromised the essence of EU citizenship by allowing foreign investors to acquire EU citizenship without a genuine link to Malta. The CJEU agreed, emphasizing that EU citizenship may not be commodified through financial transactions. The CJEU rejected Malta's defense of sovereign rights, stating nationality criteria must comply with EU law.
It is expected that Malta will amend or repeal its investor citizenship scheme to align with EU law.
Read a May 2025 report prepared by the 乐鱼(Leyu)体育官网 member firm in Malta