golden passport — Cyprus has officially abolished its golden passport scheme following sustained pressure from the European Commission, which has been urging an end to the controversial investor citizenship programme since 2020.
- This legislative action not only aligns Cyprus with EU directives but also reflects a broader commitment to enhancing the integrity of its citizenship and immigration processes.
The government has put forward legislation to permanently eliminate any possibility of reinstating the Cyprus Investment Programme (CIP), a scheme that had allowed individuals to obtain citizenship through substantial financial investments. This move marks a significant shift in the country’s approach to citizenship and investor relations.
Golden passport: Legislative Changes and New Procedures
The draft bill presented by the Cypriot government removes all provisions that could potentially enable the reinstatement of the CIP. As part of the new law, a process has been established for revoking citizenship granted to foreign investors under the now-defunct programme.
According to the explanatory memorandum associated with the legislation, these changes were made following consultations between the Law Office of the Republic and the European Commission, and have received the Commission’s approval. This collaboration underscores Cyprus’s commitment to align its citizenship policies with EU regulations.
Revocation Process for Citizenship
The legislation introduces a structured process for individuals who obtained citizenship through the CIP to have their citizenship revoked. Those affected will have 60 days to file objections with the Independent Committee for Examination of Citizenship Revocation. This provision is aimed at ensuring fairness and transparency in the revocation process.
To enhance public transparency, the Interior Minister is mandated to publish notifications regarding these changes in the Republic’s Official Gazette, ensuring that both public and private authorities are informed. The Data Protection Commissioner has approved this provision, highlighting a focus on safeguarding personal data throughout the process.
Cabinet’s Authority and Application Review
In a significant alteration to the governance of citizenship, the Cabinet has lost its authority to grant nationality to investors. This legislative change is designed to prevent any future reinstatement of the programme that has faced widespread criticism for enabling wealthy individuals to purchase citizenship.
The bill also contains a special provision for reconsidering naturalisation applications that are still pending due to court decisions. However, this applies only to applications submitted before October 30, 2020. This clause indicates the government’s attempt to address ongoing legal matters while moving forward with the new legislation.
Institutional Termination of the Programme
The current administration is taking definitive steps to institutionalise the termination of the CIP, a programme that had already been effectively suspended since 2020. As Cyprus submits the bill titled “The Population Archive (Amendment) (No. 2) Law of 2025” to Parliament, it marks the end of an era for the nation’s controversial approach to citizenship by investment.
This legislative action not only aligns Cyprus with EU directives but also reflects a broader commitment to enhancing the integrity of its citizenship and immigration processes.
