Overview

• The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has ruled Malta's golden passport program unlawful, stating it breaches EU principles of citizenship.
• Under the scheme, foreign investors could gain Maltese citizenship by paying €600,000 and purchasing or renting high-value property.
• The ECJ emphasized that granting citizenship without genuine ties undermines mutual trust and loyalty among EU member states.
• The ruling overturns an October 2024 recommendation by the Advocate General to dismiss the European Commission’s lawsuit against Malta.
• The decision reinforces the EU’s stance that citizenship cannot be commodified and must reflect a meaningful connection to the granting state.