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Buy European Passport: Programs, Costs, and EU Warnings
- Posted
- Editor
- Tessa Quinn
- 4 min read
Contents
A European passport cannot be bought directly. As of January 2019, only Bulgaria, Cyprus and Malta operated investor citizenship schemes, with costs between €800,000 and €2 million[1][2]. These schemes granted citizenship without effective prior residence, but the European Commission warns of security, money laundering, tax evasion and corruption risks[1]. First, review the Commission's January 2019 report to understand the documented conditions and limitations.
What You Receive
- EU citizenship without prior residence
- Investor citizenship schemes grant nationality under less stringent conditions than ordinary naturalisation, in particular without effective prior residence. This was the defining feature of the three schemes operating in Bulgaria, Cyprus and Malta as of January 2019. [1]
- All rights of a Union citizen
- Every person holding the nationality of a Member State is at the same time a citizen of the Union. National investor citizenship schemes therefore confer the full set of EU citizenship rights, including the right to free movement. [1]
- Freedom of movement across the EU
- Investor citizenship schemes are deliberately marketed and often explicitly advertised as a means of acquiring Union citizenship, together with all the rights and privileges associated with it, including the right to free movement. [1]
- A passport at a documented cost
- The investor citizenship schemes operating in Bulgaria, Cyprus and Malta at the time required investors to spend between €800,000 and €2 million to obtain citizenship. This range reflects the three national programmes documented in January 2019. [2]
- A status distinct from golden visas
- Investor citizenship schemes grant citizenship, while investor residence schemes, which existed in twenty EU Member States, grant residence rights rather than citizenship. The two categories are formally distinguished by the European Commission. [1]
Investor Citizenship Programmes in the EU (as of January 2019)
| Country | Cost | Timeframe | Requirements | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bulgaria | €800,000–€2,000,000 [2] | Check with authorities | Less stringent than ordinary naturalisation; no effective prior residence required [1] | Inherent risks: security, money laundering, tax evasion, corruption [1]; shortcomings in transparency and governance [1] |
| Cyprus | €800,000–€2,000,000 [2] | Check with authorities | Less stringent than ordinary naturalisation; no effective prior residence required [1] | Inherent risks: security, money laundering, tax evasion, corruption [1]; shortcomings in transparency and governance [1] |
| Malta | €800,000–€2,000,000 [2] | Check with authorities | Less stringent than ordinary naturalisation; no effective prior residence required [1] | Inherent risks: security, money laundering, tax evasion, corruption [1]; shortcomings in transparency and governance [1] |
How to Obtain
Confirm the programme still exists
As of January 2019, only Bulgaria, Cyprus and Malta operated investor citizenship schemes in the EU[1]. Check the current official government pages of each country before taking any step. Programmes can be suspended or closed after that date, and the 2019 report does not guarantee their status today.
Prepare a minimum of €800,000
The schemes in Bulgaria, Cyprus and Malta required investors to spend between €800,000 and €2 million to obtain citizenship[2]. This is the documented cost range from the European Commission's findings. You will need proof of the source of these funds.
Expect no effective prior residence requirement
These programmes granted citizenship under less stringent conditions than ordinary naturalisation, in particular without effective prior residence[1]. This means you may not need to live in the country beforehand. That is a key difference from standard naturalisation.
Understand the difference from a golden visa
Investor citizenship gives you a passport and Union citizenship, including free movement rights[1]. Investor residence schemes, which existed in twenty EU Member States, grant only residence rights, not citizenship[1]. Choose the correct route for your goal.
Prepare for security and transparency checks
The European Commission identifies security, money laundering, tax evasion and corruption as principal risks of these schemes[1]. Clear statistics on applications received, accepted and rejected were missing or insufficient, and no cooperation mechanism existed between Member States on security checks[1]. Expect additional scrutiny.
Account for the EU-wide implications
Every person holding the nationality of a Member State is at the same time a citizen of the Union[1]. Your application therefore has consequences for the whole EU, not just the issuing country. National authorities may apply stricter checks because of this.
Verify the current rules before applying
The 2019 report provides a factual overview but does not confirm current requirements, timelines or programme availability[3]. Contact the relevant national authority directly and request the latest official conditions. Do not rely on the 2019 data as a guarantee that the scheme still operates.
Risks, Limitations and Guarantees
The European Commission identifies security, money laundering, tax evasion and corruption as the principal inherent risks of investor citizenship schemes[1]. These risks are further accentuated by shortcomings in the transparency and governance of such schemes, and the risks are not always sufficiently mitigated by the measures taken by Member States[1]. Before you apply, understand that clear statistics on applications received, accepted and rejected were missing or insufficient as of January 2019, and no mechanisms existed to ensure cooperation between Member States on security checks[1].
You cannot verify the success rate of applications. The absence of published statistics means you have no documented benchmark for approval. The lack of inter-state cooperation on security checks means your background may be assessed differently by each country, with no shared standards[1].
The January 2019 data does not guarantee that Bulgaria, Cyprus or Malta still operate these schemes today[1]. Programmes can be suspended, closed or amended after that date. Check the current official government page of each country before committing funds. The €800,000–€2 million cost range is historical; current costs may differ[2].
There is no documented mechanism to cancel or refund an application once submitted. The 2019 report does not describe withdrawal procedures or guarantees of return. Verify refund terms directly with the national authority before you pay.
Explore More on European Citizenship Options
Discover additional resources and insights on obtaining EU citizenship.
Learn MoreSources consulted
- Report from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions — Investor Citizenship and Residence Schemes in the European Union
- Commission raises concerns about 'golden' visa, passport schemes – POLITICO
- Investor Citizenship Schemes - European Commission