The European Commission has formally ended the infringement procedure against the Republic of Cyprus concerning the Cyprus Investment Programme, widely known as the “golden passports” scheme. The decision closes a case that had been at the centre of intense political and legal scrutiny at the European level in recent years.
The Commission informed the Cypriot authorities that it considers the country to have complied with EU law following the termination of the programme in 2020 and the additional measures adopted thereafter.
European Commission decision
According to the Legal Service of the Republic of Cyprus, the Commission confirmed that the infringement procedure related to the granting of citizenship to foreign investors through the Cyprus Investment Programme has been terminated.
The programme was halted immediately by the government in 2020. Subsequent steps were taken by the executive authorities and the Legal Service to bring the Republic into compliance with EU law, after the Commission concluded that the granting of Cypriot citizenship through the scheme breached Union rules.
Investigations and revocations of citizenship
Following recommendations by the European Commission for a “quasi-judicial” examination of all issues linked to the programme, the Attorney General appointed the Nicolatos Investigative Committee in September 2020.
Based on the findings of that committee, as well as those of the Kalogirou committee, the Council of Ministers proceeded with the revocation of a number of citizenships granted under the programme.
Consultations with EU officials
The Legal Service said that consultations with the European Commission and direct contacts with responsible European commissioners played a decisive role in the outcome.
In October 2021 and May 2023, the Attorney General and the Deputy Attorney General met with the then European Commissioner for Justice, Didier Reynders, both in Brussels and in Cyprus, to brief the Commission on the measures adopted.
A further review of these measures took place during a meeting in Brussels in June 2025 with the new European Commissioner responsible for justice matters, Michael McGrath.
Legislative amendments
Although the programme had already been terminated, the European Commission requested additional amendments to the relevant national legislation.
Following an initiative by the Legal Service, and in coordination with the Ministry of Interior, a mutually agreed legislative text was prepared in cooperation with the European Commission to facilitate the closure of the infringement procedure.
The draft bill was approved by the Council of Ministers and subsequently adopted by the House of Representatives within three months of its submission.
The Legal Service of the Republic described the decision by the European Commission to close the infringement procedure as a particularly positive development for Cyprus.