The scheme was launched in 2014 and gave wealthy people from abroad the opportunity to obtain Maltese and, as a result, EU citizenship.
The program has attracted criticism from the European Commission, which has launched proceedings against Malta's actions.
The former Prime Minister of Malta, Joseph Muscat, criticized the decision of the European Court of Justice, saying that the decision contradicts EU law. In his opinion, the program can still "stay alive with the help of adjustments."
In any case, the "golden passports" program will not exist in its previous form. The modifications will probably also affect the Golden Visa program, which allows obtaining a Maltese residence permit for investments.
The decision of the European Court of Justice can be considered a precedent. The tendency to abandon or tighten such programs has been outlined for a long time. Many countries have abandoned the "Citizenship by Investment" program (for example, Montenegro, aspiring to the EU) and canceled or tightened the "Residence permit for Investment" program (for example, Spain, Portugal, Hungary).
Source: Malta Today
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