On 29 April 2025, the European Union’s top court (CJEU) ruled that Malta’s “golden passport” scheme, where people could gain Maltese and EU citizenship by paying large sums of money, was not allowed under EU law. The court said citizenship should not be sold, and that these kinds of programmes weaken the meaning of EU citizenship.

Shortly after this ruling, on 16 July 2025, Malta’s Minister for Home Affairs, Byron Camilleri, confirmed that the government would close the investor citizenship scheme. In its place, Malta is introducing a new law focused on merit and public interest.

What Will the New Law Do?

Malta has now proposed a new Citizenship by Merit law. This will remove the previous system where individuals became citizens by investing between 600,000 and 750,000 euros plus meeting property and donation requirements. Under the new rules, only people who genuinely deserve citizenship because they have done something exceptional will be considered.

This includes:

• Scientists or inventors who bring lasting value to Malta
  
  
• Businesspeople who create meaningful jobs for locals
  
  
• Artists, athletes, or cultural figures who raise Malta’s international standing
  
  
• Philanthropists and individuals who have contributed positively to humanity
  
  

There will be no fixed financial requirement. The focus is no longer on wealth, but on the value a person brings to the country.

Stronger Screening and Decision-Making

Applications will be reviewed by a new evaluation board made up of experts from different sectors. These experts will assess whether the applicant has made a real impact or contribution. While the board will give its recommendations, the final decision will be made by the Minister for Home Affairs.

This structure is meant to keep the process transparent and selective, so that only those with truly exceptional merit are granted citizenship.

A Clear Break from the Old System

This new framework clearly moves away from the idea of buying citizenship. Instead of offering nationality in return for money, Malta will now only consider applications from people who provide real benefit to the country or to the global community.

This change brings Maltese law in line with European Union values. The EU had long warned that golden passport schemes turn citizenship into a commercial product. Malta’s new approach shows that the country now aims to meet both the legal and ethical standards expected across the EU.

What Happens to People Who Already Got Citizenship?

Those who already received citizenship under the old rules will not be affected. The new law will apply only to future applicants.

What’s Next?

These changes are part of Bill No. 140, which was officially introduced in Malta’s Parliament at the end of June 2025. The Bill is currently going through debate and will likely be passed in the coming weeks.

Once passed, it will fully replace the citizenship-by-investment scheme with the new merit-based route.