Malta’s new scheme to sell passports to rich foreigners has come under scrutiny by the EU.
The European Commission says that the rules about citizenship are up to individual countries, but that it is in talks with Malta over the scheme.
The Individual Investor Programme will initially issue passports to 1,800 people in exchange for €1.15 million without obligation to live in Malta. Family members will also qualify for passports at a lower fee.
The original charge for Maltese citizenship, set last November, was €650,000. But the government later raised it after criticism by opposition MPs.
The EU Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding is said to be concerned that an applicant for citizenship should have a genuine link to the country and not just the ability to pay.
Last week she said "you cannot put a price tag on EU citizenship".
Holding a passport from an EU country entitles the holder to EU citizenship, with all the rights guaranteed under EU law.
A spokeswoman for Ms Reding said it is open to clarifications from the Maltese authorities and was not poised immediately to take action against Malta.
Some MEPs have expressed their concern in a strongly-worded resolution which noted that “EU citizenship should never become a tradable commodity.”
Portugal and Spain both have fast-track schemes for foreigners who invest large sums in property and/or government bonds. Other EU members with similar schemes include Austria, Bulgaria and Hungary.
A permanent residence permit can often lead to citizenship.
