The Maltese scheme involving the sale of passports to third-country citizens

17.1.2018

Question for written answer P-000235-18
to the Commission
Rule 130
Dariusz Rosati (PPE)

In December, the Maltese Government published a list of over 2 000 names of people who had become Maltese citizens in 2016. Many of them seem to be citizens who bought Maltese passports through the government‐backed so-called Individual Investment Programme (IIP) introduced in 2014.

This procedure not only enables foreign billionaires to launder money, but also threatens the Schengen system’s integrity.

As has been stated in the media, many of the ‘new Maltese’ are Russians — including various oligarchs. Consequently, such ‘golden passports’ can be a back door for Russian oligarchs to avoid sanctions linked to the aggressive actions of Russia in Ukraine.

In this context I would like to ask the Commission the following question:

Considering Russia’s aggression in Ukraine and the sanctions imposed on individuals involved in these actions, but also bearing in mind that one of the Commission’s main priorities is the fight against money laundering and aggressive tax planning, does it — while fully respecting the right of Member States to grant citizenship — plan to take another look at the scheme of selling EU passports?

What steps can be taken if the Commission establishes that the IIP is being misused?