India, May 4 -- Things just got a little harder for those hoping to snag a coveted European Union passport.

On April 29, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) ruled that Malta must end its golden passport program, which allowed foreigners to purchase citizenship in exchange for an investment of more than EUR 600,000 (INR 5,74,38,600), according to EuroNews. And this decision could have a ripple effect on other countries in the EU with similar programs.

"Today's judgment confirms that member states cannot commodify EU citizenship and operate reckless golden passport programs," Maira Martini, the chief executive officer of Transparency International, said in a statement. "Countless cases have shown how these schemes have grant...