I would guess that it's a relic of the past, the European Parliament does not like the practice. You've been able to buy a passport from both Austria and Cyprus

I would guess that it's a relic of the past, the European Parliament does not like the practice. You've been able to buy a passport from both Austria and Cyprus since long before they joined the union. Malta seems to be the odd ball out. I guess they've had their reasons for looking through the fingers.