“Those who loot their countries cannot be allowed safe haven in the EU.”
The European Union is in the midst of a reckoning over its now-infamous “Golden Passport” and “Golden Visa” schemes. These programs, designed to attract investment and stimulate economies through foreign residency and citizenship, have also opened the door to abuse, corruption, and the shielding of ill-gotten gains.
As a trusted global consultancy specializing in legal identity solutions and compliant residency pathways, Amicus International Consulting supports EU institutions in calling for the end of corruption-linked misuse of these programs—and offers lawful, ethical alternatives for clients seeking second citizenship or enhanced privacy.
The Golden Visa Crisis: An Overview
Golden passport and visa programs—largely implemented in countries like Malta, Cyprus, Portugal, and Greece—offered residency or even citizenship in exchange for financial investments. While these programs brought billions of euros into real estate, development, and infrastructure, a darker reality emerged.
A 2023 investigation by the European Commission found that hundreds of high-risk individuals—including sanctioned oligarchs, ex-politicians, and fugitives—had purchased EU residency rights. Many had been involved in state looting, tax evasion, or bribery, yet gained safe passage and visa-free EU travel through these schemes.
EU Crackdown in Motion
European Parliament members, backed by civil society watchdogs, have taken a hard stance:
“We will not allow Europe to be a retirement home for kleptocrats,” stated EU Commissioner for Justice Didier Reynders in March 2024.
As of April 2025:
- Cyprus and Malta have been ordered to dismantle all remaining citizenship-by-investment programs.
- Portugal and Greece have revised their Golden Visa schemes to exclude real estate in major cities, limiting abuse and real estate inflation.
- New directives mandate enhanced due diligence, Interpol checks, and forensic financial tracing of all Golden Visa applicants.
CASE STUDY 1: The Cypriot Corruption Scandal
A well-publicized 2020 case involved a former Chinese party official, who purchased Cypriot citizenship using a €2 million real estate investment. Within months, he became the subject of a Red Notice from Interpol for embezzling over $140 million in state funds.
Despite warnings from financial intelligence units, he was granted full EU citizenship, traveled through the Schengen zone, and opened luxury real estate companies in France and Belgium. It wasn’t until international media exposed the case that his citizenship was revoked and his Cypriot assets frozen.
CASE STUDY 2: Russian Oligarch in Malta
In 2019, a sanctioned Russian oligarch acquired Maltese citizenship through a €650,000 donation and €150,000 investment in government bonds. The transaction passed despite warnings from the EU Sanctions Watchlist and suspicious activity alerts from multiple European banks.
He used the Maltese passport to:
- Open bank accounts in Austria and Luxembourg
- Purchase a $4.2 million estate in Tuscany
- Send his children to EU boarding schools
This case further sparked outrage as investigations uncovered that dozens of high-risk applicants were fast-tracked for citizenship with little or no background checks.
CASE STUDY 3: Lebanese Politician Avoids Accountability
A Lebanese official linked to financial mismanagement during Lebanon’s 2019 banking crisis acquired Portuguese residency by investing €500,000 in Porto’s real estate sector. When the banking sector collapsed, leading to mass protests and poverty, he quietly relocated to Portugal using his Golden Visa.
Despite ongoing investigations back home, he has since lived undisturbed in the EU, holding assets across Europe.
The Ethical Dilemma: Wealth vs. Legitimacy
Golden passport abuse highlights a profound ethical failure—the sale of access and influence to those seeking refuge from accountability. While the original intention of these programs was economic growth, they have been manipulated by the global elite to launder reputations, shield wealth, and escape justice.
The EU’s renewed commitment to transparency, due process, and reform signals a turning point. But the demand for legal second residencies and identity change programs remains—especially for individuals genuinely seeking safety, mobility, and asset protection.
Amicus International: Legal and Ethical Alternatives
Amicus International Consulting offers compliant and ethical pathways to second citizenship, legal identity change, and international residency. Our programs do not rely on bribery, rushed approvals, or opaque shell companies. We assist clients through:
- Legal identity transformation: Via name change, birth registration correction, or cultural migration frameworks under international law.
- Second citizenship options: Through lawful programs in the Caribbean, South America, and Africa that maintain rigorous background checks and transparency.
- Secure international tax ID registration: For clients relocating to new jurisdictions.
- Asset protection strategies: Compliant with FATF and OECD guidelines.
We work exclusively with vetted government agencies and attorneys to ensure all processes meet the highest standards of legality, due diligence, and ethics.
Who We Help
Our clients include:
- Whistleblowers escaping retaliation
- Individuals facing legitimate political or financial threats
- Professionals with privacy concerns
- Families seeking greater global mobility without breaking laws or hiding assets
We do not serve individuals with criminal records, under international sanctions, or seeking to evade justice. Our firm believes in upholding the rule of law while providing discreet, legal solutions for those in real need.
A Call to Action for Governments and Global Citizens
It is not enough to dismantle corrupt Golden Visa programs. Governments must:
- Prosecute facilitators who enabled the abuse of public trust.
- Revoke citizenships granted under fraudulent or deceptive means.
- Cooperate internationally to repatriate stolen funds and hold kleptocrats accountable.
- Reform residency programs to ensure transparency, fairness, and national interest.
Citizens, too, must demand that their countries are not used as refuges for the world’s corrupt.
Final Thoughts: A Future Beyond Golden Corruption
As Europe and the world close the door on abusive residency-for-sale schemes, legitimate pathways must emerge. Amicus International stands ready to offer solutions for those who need protection, not privilege.
Our mission is clear: help individuals legally rebuild their lives—not escape accountability. In a world of deepening surveillance and geopolitical uncertainty, legality, transparency, and privacy are no longer optional—they’re essential.
📞 Contact Information
Phone: +1 (604) 200-5402
Email: info@amicusint.ca
Website: www.amicusint.ca
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