While the European Union has repeatedly targeted Malta over its citizenship-by-investment programme—commonly referred to as the “golden passport scheme”—newly released figures from Germany have exposed the staggering hypocrisy at the heart of Brussels.
On Monday, it was revealed that Germany granted nearly 13,000 passports to Russian citizens in 2024 alone, a sixfold increase compared to the previous year. These figures, published by Germany’s Federal Statistical Office, confirm that Berlin is on track to become one of the top naturalisation destinations for Russians amid ongoing geopolitical tensions with Moscow.
And yet, while Germany quietly facilitates thousands of citizenships for Russian nationals, Malta continues to be singled out, shamed, and dragged before the European Court of Justice for doing far less. The EU’s double standards could not be clearer.
One Rule for Germany, Another for Malta
Since 2020, Malta has come under constant fire from EU institutions and Western media outlets for its Individual Investor Programme. The narrative has been relentless: Malta is “selling EU citizenship” to wealthy Russians, undermining European values, and exposing the bloc to “security threats.”
But where is the outcry about Germany granting six times more Russian passports in a single year? Where are the ECJ rulings, the Commission threats, or the NGO outrage?
The silence is deafening.
Examples of the smear campaign are abundant:
https://curia.europa.eu/jcms/upload/docs/application/pdf/2025-04/cp250052en.pdf
https://verfassungsblog.de/the-eu-free-market-does-not-extend-to-citizenship/
https://www.politico.eu/article/european-court-rules-maltese-golden-passport-scheme-against-eu-law/
The Numbers Don’t Lie
Let us be clear: while Malta has placed strict controls, suspended Russian applications, and conducted rigorous due diligence, Germany has quietly facilitated a record wave of naturalisations with little fanfare. According to the Federal Statistical Office, the 2024 figure for Russian citizens is the highest on record, a sharp rise attributed to “geopolitical circumstances”—a justification not accepted when used by Malta.
It is not a question of whether German naturalisations are “right” or “wrong.” The issue is consistency. If it’s unacceptable for Malta to grant citizenship to Russians, why is it acceptable—applauded, even—when Germany does it at an exponentially greater rate?
Selective Morality
The EU’s treatment of member states like Malta reflects a disturbing pattern of selective enforcement, political bullying, and institutionalised bias. Germany, France, and other core EU states are allowed to operate under one set of rules, while smaller nations are chastised for decisions that pale in comparison.
This is not about citizenship—it is about power, control, and a hierarchy within the EU that undermines the principle of equality among member states.
As long as Malta is punished for doing less than what Berlin is openly doing, every condemnation from Brussels rings hollow. The European public deserves transparency—not two-faced politics.
Press Release No. 204 of 10 June 2025 👇
https://www.destatis.de/DE/Presse/Pressemitteilungen/2025/06/PD25_204_125.html
