The so-called Golden Passen have been a thorn in the side of the EU committee for years. Among other things, she fears a gateway for money laundering and corruption. The shelled Loop Brüssels now feels Malta. The EU Court of Justice has declared a corresponding regulation for rich investors as illegal.
Everyone who wants to become a state and therefore has been able to rely on a separate program for investors in Malta. A condition was, among other things, a payment of at least 600,000 euros to the Maltese state. The EU committee had sued. It argued that the Maltese program undermined the nature and integrity of the citizenship of the trade union. According to the EU authority, Malta is now the only member state with such a regulation.
Gangart has been tightened since the start of the Ukrainian war
“Golden Passes” were also spent on Cyprus, but the government let this go to the pressure of the committee. After the start of the Ukraine War, the EU committee tightened its way against such programs to make it difficult to gain access to the EU from Russia or White -Russia.
As the ECJ confirmed, Member States can generally determine the rules for the granting of citizenship themselves. To give them against payments or investments – as a “marketing” of the passport – however, the principle of loyal cooperation between the Member States. Union Citizenship Grant Freedom, but also safety and rights.
“Golden Visa” still possible
Programs similar to Malta are still available in Greece, Portugal, Spain, Italy and Austria. The “gold visa” mentioned. You can buy a residence permit through investments that vary, depending on the state. However, further criteria must be met for the acquisition of citizenship. As you know, an application in Austria is only possible after ten years.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
