EU Bans Sale of ‘Golden Passports’ as Trump Opens Doors

Countless cases have shown how these schemes have granted safe haven to corrupt actors from around the world,

Martini said

It's now for Malta to implement the court's judgement,

EU spokesman Markus Lammert told reporters

Significant investments were made in key sectors to improve the quality of life for the Maltese and Gozitan people,

the Maltese government said in a statement

The legal implications of this judgement are being studied in detail, so that the regulatory framework on citizenship can then be brought in line with the principles outlined in the judgement,

it said in a statement

Today’s judgement confirms that member states cannot commodify EU citizenship and operate reckless golden passport programmes,

Transparency International CEO Maíra Martini said in a statement

European citizenship is not for sale,

the spokesperson said Tuesday

As always, the government of Malta respects the decisions of the courts,

the government said in a statement

The acquisition of Union citizenship cannot result from a commercial transaction,

the EU's Court of Justice said, ruling that

A member state cannot grant its nationality – and indeed European citizenship – in exchange for predetermined payments or investments, as this essentially amounts to rendering the acquisition of nationality a mere commercial transaction,

the court said