Malta's Controversial Citizenship Program: Sanctioned Russians Are Acquiring Passports

Several Russian citizens under European Union and United States sanctions for Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine acquired Maltese passports through the country’s controversial "golden visa" program.

The Gaze reports on this with reference to the Financial Times.

Among them is Russian businessman Albert Avdolyan, sanctioned by the EU for his ties to the Kremlin’s war effort. His Maltese citizenship reportedly allows him and other sanctioned individuals to circumvent EU entry bans.

The investigation revealed that three other individuals, who later appeared on U.S. sanctions lists due to the war in Ukraine, and three sanctioned by Ukraine, also obtained Maltese passports. One notable case is Yevgeniya Vladimirovna Bernova, accused by the U.S. of illicitly acquiring dual-use technology for potential military applications. Bernova insists her Maltese citizenship was granted following a "rigorous and multi-layered due diligence process" and that she maintains "genuine ties" to Malta through legitimate business investments. She claims her blacklisting was a "mistake" by U.S. authorities.

Records also show that Russian millionaire Pavel Melnikov obtained a Maltese passport in 2015 and a St. Kitts and Nevis passport in 2012, facilitated by Henley & Partners. Melnikov’s properties in Finland were raided in 2018, and he was later convicted of tax and accounting fraud. Following the conviction, Maltese authorities revoked his citizenship – a decision Melnikov is currently appealing, alongside his criminal verdict.

Malta remains the last EU member state offering citizenship in exchange for investment, despite mounting criticism. The European Commission has filed a lawsuit against Malta at the EU Court of Justice, arguing that the scheme "undermines the essence and integrity of EU citizenship." 

Under Malta’s program, applicants must invest at least €600,000, donate €10,000 to charity, purchase or rent property, and reside in Malta for three years, although a €750,000 investment can shorten the residency requirement to one year.

In response to international criticism, Maltese authorities claim they have tightened background checks and banned Russian and Belarusian nationals from applying.

Meanwhile, other European countries have moved to dismantle similar schemes. For example, Spain recently ended its golden visa program tied to real estate investments exceeding €500,000. Portugal revised its policy in 2023, excluding property investments in an effort to combat the housing crisis, though investments in approved funds remain eligible for residency. 

As The Gaze reported earlier, on April 24, the UK government announced 150 new trade sanctions against Russia in order to “choke the Russian war machine.”