How to travel with two passports

passengers must present a visa along with the ticket to enter the European Union. However, a Malta passport allows travel within the Schengen Area without a visa.

Therefore, in this case, the passport of an EU citizen permits you to enter the country.

You cannot refuse to show your passport to airline employees. The carrier is responsible for boarding only those with valid documents. The airline must ensure that upon arrival, the passenger will accurately pass border control. If the border guards of another country deploy it, the airline will have to carry it back at its own expense.

After check-in, the Malta passport can be put away. It won’t be needed again until arrival in the European Union.

A citizen must leave their home country using their first passport. Even if the border guards ask for a visa, the passenger is not obliged to show it. Along with the passport, you only need to present a boarding pass.

Permission to enter the destination country. Passport control officers have no right to check the availability of permission to enter another state. And its absence does not give them the right to detain a passenger.

The second passport is presented upon arrival in an EU country. European Union citizens do not need a visa to go through passport control, so they can use the corridor for EU citizens.

A Maltese passport will also suffice when travelling within Europe and crossing the internal borders of the European Union.

The first passport must be shown upon returning from Europe. The carrier is responsible for having a valid entry permit and, if refused, will bear deportation costs.

Vladlena Baranova,

Head of Legal & AML Compliance Department, CAMS, IMCM

When crossing the border with a second passport, for example, from the Caribbean nation of St Kitts and Nevis, you may be asked how you obtained citizenship. You should answer honestly that you participated in a citizenship-by-investment program.

At passport control in Turkey, you need to show a Turkish passport. The border guards do not check which documents were used for European travel.

The second passport can be put away and not used until a new trip.

It is important to follow the rule: you must present the same document at the entrance to and exit from the country. There are only two of them, so it’s hard to get confused.

Flight tickets can be bought using any document. For the airline, both the Turkish passport and the EU citizen’s passport are legitimate.

1. Customs and security checks. Some airports or customs authorities might not be familiar with dual citizenship travellers, so it’s important to be prepared to explain your situation. Have both passports ready for inspection if necessary to avoid delays.

2. Consular assistance. Understanding the best approach for switching two passports while travelling can make it easier to navigate consular support if needed. If you get into trouble while travelling, knowing which embassy or consulate you can turn to for assistance in the country you’re visiting is good.

3. Military service. If your second country of citizenship mandates compulsory military service, you may be called to serve immediately upon entering the country. For instance, Turkey has strict military service requirements, possibly requiring you to report for military duty right away, regardless of whether you plan to stay long-term or just visit.

4. Tax agreements. Certain countries may tax dual nationals based on their worldwide income or require them to fulfil specific tax residency requirements.

In the case of Malta and Turkey, you are considered a tax resident of either country if you spend more than 183 days there during a calendar year. As a tax resident, you will be subject to taxation on your worldwide income in both countries.

However, a key difference between the two is that Malta applies a remittance basis of taxation for foreign income. This means that foreign income is only taxed in Malta if brought into the country. On the other hand, Turkey taxes all residents on their worldwide income, regardless of whether it is brought into the country.

5. Customs declarations. Some countries require specific customs declarations depending on the citizenship you hold. For instance, customs duties apply to personal goods when entering Malta from a non-EU country. You may need to declare items such as:

• goods exceeding the duty-free allowance, like alcohol, tobacco, or perfumes;

• cash or equivalent exceeding €10,000.

Travellers entering Turkey must declare if they are carrying cash over €5,000. This includes not just cash but also traveller’s cheques, money orders, and similar financial instruments. Turkey also has specific duty-free limits for certain goods. For example, travellers are allowed to bring 1 litre of spirits or 2 litres of wine duty-free, along with 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars.

6. Considerations for dual citizenship with a conflict of interest. In cases where your two countries of citizenship have opposing laws, policies, or political tensions, be aware of how this could affect your travel. You might be scrutinised more heavily at border crossings or airports.

7. Travelling with children. Some countries may require additional documents, like parental consent forms. They are used to avoid potential child abduction or disputes between divorced parents or guardians.

8. Health insurance coverage. When travelling abroad, make sure that your health insurance applies to both citizenships. Verify which passport will provide the best coverage during your travels.

9. Healthcare access. Dual citizens can receive medical treatment in both countries, with healthcare services being free of charge in public hospitals. It includes doctor consultations, hospital stays, surgeries, and emergency care.

10. Using your foreign passport for visa-free travel. If your passports are from two different countries, one might offer visa-free access to more countries than the other.

Turkey allows its citizens to visit 126 countries visa-free, while the Maltese passport grants access to 171 countries, including all Schengen Area countries, the UK, the US, and Canada.

US exit and entry requirements. US citizens are required to use their US passports for both entry and exit. They are not permitted to enter the country using a foreign passport. Additionally, US citizens are ineligible to apply for a US visa.

Foreign bank account reporting. If an individual has more than $10,000 in foreign bank or brokerage accounts, they may be required to complete the Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts.

Tax implications. Even if no taxes are owed, individuals may be required to file their US tax returns. Their worldwide income is subject to US taxation. Additionally, they may need to file a tax return in the state where they were last a resident.

Travelling to countries with mandatory exit stamps. Some countries, like Saudi Arabia and the UAE, require an exit stamp on your passport when leaving. If travelling with a foreign passport as a dual national, confusion may arise at the exit immigration point, as the US system may also require an exit stamp.

Having both passports ready can help avoid delays at the airport.

Travelling to countries that do not recognise US dual nationals. Some countries, like China and India, do not recognise dual nationality, and entering with a US passport could complicate travel. These countries may require you to choose one nationality for entry, and using two passports could lead to denial of entry or legal issues at border control.

Limited US assistance abroad. Local authorities may not recognise a person’s US citizenship, especially if they hold citizenship in the country they are visiting and did not enter using their US passport. If detained, even if the dual national requests the nearest US embassy or consulate be notified, local authorities may deny consular access.

The traditional way to acquire new citizenship is through naturalisation. This requires living in the country for a long period, knowing the language and history, having a job, housing, and a good reputation.

Some countries aiming to attract foreign investment offer faster and more convenient options.

Malta grants citizenship by naturalisation for exceptional services by direct investment. Depending on the contribution amount, the timeframe for getting a second passport is one or three years. The minimum investment is €690,000.

Vanuatu offers citizenship by investment starting at $130,000. It is the fastest option for investors: a second passport can be issued in just 1 to 4 months.

Five Caribbean countries provide second citizenship to investors under similar conditions. The minimum investment amount is $200,000, and the passport can be obtained within 6+ months.

Turkey citizenship is popular among real estate investors. One can qualify for a Turkish passport by purchasing one or more residential or commercial properties with a total deal value of at least $400,000.

Portugal offers an option for those willing to first obtain a residence permit and then apply for citizenship by naturalisation after 5 years.

Suppose the residence permit is obtained by investment. In that case, the foreigner is not required to relocate to Portugal: spending 7 days per year in the country to maintain residency and be eligible to apply for citizenship is enough.

The minimum investment for Portugal residency by investment is €250,000. However, to have the opportunity to recoup investments after a few years, one must invest at least €500,000 in shares of investment funds.

1. Dual passport holders can take advantage of visa-free access to more countries.

2. A second passport helps bypass restrictions that may be imposed on the primary passport, such as visa denials or entry bans.

3. In most cases, the same document must be presented when entering and exiting the country.

4. Understanding the rules of both countries is important to avoid unexpected issues, such as military service obligations or tax implications.

5. Countries that offer second passports by investment include Vanuatu, Malta, Turkey, and five Caribbean countries.