The European Commission today decided to close infringement proceedings against Malta relating to the nationality condition for access to the notarial profession.

Similar proceedings against Germany, France and Austria were closed in February while Belgium and Luxembourg also changed their laws following a European Court judgement.

The Commission said that it has decided to close the case against Malta, started in 2006, as the island has now scrapped the nationality condition for notaries. Before that, only Maltese citizens could practice the notarial profession in Malta. 

In its judgment, the Court decided that notarial work was not covered by the exceptions to the 'right of establishment'.

Consequently, the nationality condition for access to the profession constituted discrimination on the grounds of nationality.

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