Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-001863/2024/rev.1
to the Commission
Rule 144
Joachim Streit (Renew)
Hungary is increasingly promoting its golden passport and visa programmes, especially among Chinese investors. Such schemes are at odds with the principle of sincere cooperation and commodify EU citizenship and right of residence. The fact that citizenship and right of residence can effectively be purchased in Hungary opens the door to corruption, money laundering, security threats and tax avoidance.
It is also important to add that these schemes jeopardise macroeconomic governance and put other Member States at a competitive disadvantage. Member States that comply with EU rules and that have not introduced similar schemes are at a disadvantage vis-à-vis Hungary. In response to my question to the Hungarian Minister for European Union Affairs on the legality of these plans, János Bóka stated at the AFCO Committee meeting that all Member States could do what they wanted.
- 1.What is the Commission’s assessment of the distortion of competition caused by these schemes? What compensatory financial mechanisms can it propose to reduce the negative economic impact on other Member States caused by this unfair behaviour?
- 2.What specific steps has the Commission taken to get Hungary to scrap these programmes?
- 3.How does the Commission’s plan to prevent the continuation of golden passport and visa schemes in Hungary?
Submitted: 27.9.2024