EU Citizenship for sale, $880,000 - See Malta for details - Polidicks

[quote](CNN) -- The government of the small Mediterranean island of Malta recently announced proposals to start selling citizenship of its nation to foreigners for €650,000 (about $888,000). But faced with rising criticism both in Malta and other European Union countries, the Maltese government has temporarily halted the law's implementation and will review its requirements. The European Parliament is to hold a debate on the scheme on 15 January 2014. "The citizenship scheme as adopted by the Maltese Parliament in recent weeks seems to be a clear abuse of EU citizenship and Schengen rules, said European People's Party chairman Joseph Daul. "Even if the Maltese give in to reason, and drop this scheme, it remains important that the European Parliament debates this issue." But Malta continues to defend the program, which is said to target affluent individuals in order to boost Malta's economy, but insists: "It's not an over-the-counter sale of citizenships, said Kurt Farrugia, head of Communications for the Maltese government.[/quote] [url]http://www.cnn.com/2013/12/21/world/europe/malta-citizenship-program/index.html?hpt=wo_t3[/url]

This seems like a good way to get kicked out of the EU.

Hate to break it to you, Mr. Farrugia, but giving something to somebody, like a citizenship, in return for money, that doesn't take place in the form of a backroom deal, is a form of over-the-counter sale. For fuck's sake, you don't even have a prescription for that shit. edit: this just in: Malta, the new Cayman Islands.

If you have that amount of money, you can already get citizenship in most places. If you're willing to be a venture capitalist, you can gain it.

[QUOTE=Zonesylvania;43301955] edit: this just in: Malta, the new Cayman Islands.[/QUOTE] Retirement home for Somali pirates and Warlords.

Ill take a dozen

Spain and Portugal have been selling EU citizenship for years, it's just called investment based immigration. If you buy a house or property in said countries worth over a certain $ , you get citizenship after you live there for a few years.

My grandparents would actually buy this, they're Knights of Malta already. I'm so happy my family lives in Texas away from my super crazy catholic side of the family.

[QUOTE=Angus725;43302807]you get citizenship after you live there for a few years.[/QUOTE] That's how it is in most countries, you don't even have to buy a house. Just live there long enough.

I'll wait for the boxing day sale, thanks.

[QUOTE=Sir_takeslot;43301954]This seems like a good way to get kicked out of the EU.[/QUOTE] You cannot get kicked out afaik, only quit on your own accord.

EU citizenship should be free imo.

[QUOTE=Sobotnik;43308795]EU citizenship should be free imo.[/QUOTE] It is if you're a citizen of one of EU countries.

[QUOTE=Sobotnik;43308795]EU citizenship should be free imo.[/QUOTE] It basically is if you're a EU member with full rights. Can work freely, can travel freely, have access to state services, all the crap.

[QUOTE=ionuttzu;43309399]It basically is if you're a EU member with full rights. Can work freely, can travel freely, have access to state services, all the crap.[/QUOTE] [QUOTE=itisjuly;43309292]It is if you're a citizen of one of EU countries.[/QUOTE] I mean if you are a non-European as well. Everybody is welcome in Europe.

Oh my friend moved to Malta in August, he said that the government is "retarded".

As others have said this is nothing new, they are just being very overt about it. If you do a bit of research about pretty much any country you will find out that you can invest a certain amount of money to gain citizenship.

[QUOTE=Sobotnik;43309450]I mean if you are a non-European as well. Everybody is welcome in Europe.[/QUOTE] Sounds awfully exploitative if ANYONE can get EU citizenship and travel from other countries into any EU country freely.

[QUOTE=Jsm;43309593]As others have said this is nothing new, they are just being very overt about it. If you do a bit of research about pretty much any country you will find out that you can invest a certain amount of money to gain citizenship.[/QUOTE] Investing into the country is one thing, outright selling it is quite a different matter.

[QUOTE=Sobotnik;43309450]I mean if you are a non-European as well. Everybody is welcome in Europe.[/QUOTE] That is literally a terrible idea.

[QUOTE=itisjuly;43309620]Sounds awfully exploitative if ANYONE can get EU citizenship and travel from other countries into any EU country freely.[/QUOTE] Sobotnik supports world-wide open borders.

[QUOTE=Sobotnik;43309450]I mean if you are a non-European as well. Everybody is welcome in Europe.[/QUOTE] Uh, no. That's stupid. We're a small-ass continent and you want us to accept anyone that wants to come here?

[QUOTE=Emperor Scorpious II;43309628]Investing into the country is one thing, outright selling it is quite a different matter.[/QUOTE] You're still investing. 800k isn't a small sum. Especially for Malta

[QUOTE=ionuttzu;43309641]Uh, no. That's stupid. We're a small-ass continent and you want us to accept anyone that wants to come here?[/QUOTE] Sure. What gives us the authority to deny somebody the choice to live here?

[QUOTE=Emperor Scorpious II;43309628]Investing into the country is one thing, outright selling it is quite a different matter.[/QUOTE] This is an investment. Its not like they are actually selling it, people invest and get citizenship in return. They are just making it a bit more clear that its allowed. (For what its worth, I think its an idea of questionable intelligence. At least making the amount public to make it sound like selling)

[QUOTE=Paul McCartney;43309636]That is literally a terrible idea.[/QUOTE] Why? Economically and socially it's good for a country. Countries which shut out immigrants and/or foreign goods tend to end up stagnating and becoming full of entrenched social and economic inequalities.

[QUOTE=Sobotnik;43309657]Sure. What gives us the authority to deny somebody the choice to live here?[/QUOTE] By being a sovereign country? What other authority do you need.

[QUOTE=ionuttzu;43309692]By being a sovereign country? What other authority do you need.[/QUOTE] Well, usually you need a reason to wield such authority. Why should a nation be given the right to prevent people migrating there?

[QUOTE=Sobotnik;43309711]Well, usually you need a reason to wield such authority. Why should a nation be given the right to prevent people migrating there?[/QUOTE] It's the country's population decision. Some EU countries still have trouble accepting to give completely free access to other EU members (we all know what I'm talking about). Imagine trying to do that for the entire planet. Won't happen.

[QUOTE=Sobotnik;43309711] Why should a nation be given the right to prevent people migrating there?[/QUOTE] Because its their nation?