According to a Saturday report by The New York Times, Peter Thiel wants to add Malta to his foreign passport collection.
He is an American and New Zealand citizen as well. According to the Times, the billionaire founder of PayPal is one of the most influential individual donors in the upcoming elections.
If his ambitions to "Make America Great Again" go awry, the man who kicked off the "doomsday prepping" trend among Silicon Valley's elite has multiple alternatives.
Maltese citizenship is popular among ultra-wealthy people who want to get into the EU. One of the only European Union member states with a "golden passport" program is it.
The spokesman for the foundation did not reply immediately.
The number of wealthy Americans applying for citizenship or residency in foreign countries has skyrocketed over the past three years as US billionaires, tech entrepreneurs, and celebrities look to create a "plan B" for their families.
Ezzedeen Soleiman said that the programs were seen as insurance policies. "We've had some billionaires approach us and ask what's the best place to live if there's a climate catastrophe or another storm."
The EU might have its way with the program. The European Commission, which has cracked down on golden passports in recent years, announced last month that it is taking Malta to court.
According to the Times, applicants are barred from renting out their residences before the citizenship process is finalized, so it's possible that Thiel ruined his chances by listing his Maltese apartment onAirbnb.
Tell us about a golden passport tip or story. This reporter can be contacted at htowey@insider.
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