Malta: Investor citizenship scheme violates EU law (CJEU judgment)

Malta's scheme grants nationality in exchange for predetermined payments or investments.

Share
May 19, 2025

The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) on April 29, 2025, issued a decision (case C-181/23) 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 KPMG member firm in Malta

Thank you!

Thank you for contacting KPMG. We will respond to you as soon as possible.

Contact KPMG

Use this form to submit general inquiries to KPMG. We will respond to you as soon as possible.

By submitting, you agree that KPMG LLP may process any personal information you provide pursuant to KPMG LLP's . Privacy Statement

An error occurred. Please contact customer support.

Job seekers

Visit our careers section or search our jobs database.

Submit RFP

Use the RFP submission form to detail the services KPMG can help assist you with.

Office locations

International hotline

You can confidentially report concerns to the KPMG International hotline

Press contacts

Do you need to speak with our Press Office? Here's how to get in touch.

Headline