The Dutch MEP Sophie in Veld (D66) wants a European ban on so-called 'golden passports'. She believes that rich Russian oligarchs or other wealthy people should no longer be able to buy a EU passport, as happened in recent years in Cyprus and Malta, among others. Last year, Brussels already called on those countries to stop doing so.
Commissioned by the European Parliament, In 't Veld has carried out a study into this 'reward' for large 'investments'. According to In 't Veld, EU-wide legislation is needed to curb the practices with golden passports. "The involved EU countries earn a little pocket money, while the rest of Europe is saddled with the burden: wrong money and crime."
The report will be voted on in the European Parliament on Tuesday, but In 't Veld expects a large majority in favor of her proposal to completely stop issuing gold visas and passports to Russian oligarchs.
“The sale of residence permits and passports has been a thorn in my side for some time. In recent years, the recognition of this problem has increased considerably, but now we are really gaining momentum. Russian oligarchs who buy influence and privileges have suddenly gone from dormant risk to acute risk.”
It is the EU countries that sell their citizenship and residence permits. But with that comes the right to travel and to engage in pocket activities anywhere in the EU and the Schengen zone. That EU component is the big draw. However, there are no European standards for the issuance of documents that give the holder these European rights.
"Let's be honest; there is no Russian oligarch or Saudi oil prince who has dreamed of, say, Maltese citizenship all his life. They care about that EU status. It is therefore only natural to tackle this at European level.”
In 't Veld points out that the entire EU has to bear significant risks in exchange for very short-term financial benefits for the member states that sell the statuses:
“National governments are like a goat when it comes to their powers over passports and visas. Especially now that Russia is at war in Europe, we cannot question EU countries where some oligarch has bought in.”