This comparison once pitted two passports against each other, but only one route remains open. Malta citizenship by direct investment was closed after the April 2025 ruling of the Court of Justice of the European Union, while Turkey Citizenship by Investment is still running.
Information, not advice. Figures are indicative and current as of June 2026. Always confirm the present rules with the official program authority and a licensed professional before you act.
Turkey grants citizenship through the Presidency of Migration Management once a qualifying investment is made and held. Malta formerly granted citizenship by direct investment through Community Malta Agency, but that route was found to breach EU law and no longer accepts new applicants. The table contrasts an open route with a closed one, current as of June 2026.
Turkey sets its lead route at real estate worth at least 400,000 US dollars held for three years, with a bank deposit or government bond alternative from 500,000 US dollars. The former Malta route carried large contribution, property and donation figures, but since it is closed there is no current qualifying cost to publish. Confirm Turkey figures with the official authority.
Turkey markets a citizenship decision within roughly a year of a complete file, though times move. The Malta route is not accepting applications, so no current timeline applies. Confirm with the official authority.
A Turkish passport gives visa free or visa on arrival access to a range of countries, but Turkey is not in the EU or the Schengen area, so it does not give EU free movement. A Maltese passport would have given EU citizenship and free movement, but the investment route to it is closed, so it cannot be planned around.
Anyone whose plan depended on a Maltese passport through investment now needs a different route, since that option is closed. Turkey suits people who want a second passport at a lower entry figure and do not require EU access. Take licensed advice on lawful options.
| Item | Malta citizenship by direct investment | Turkey Citizenship by Investment |
|---|---|---|
| Outcome | Citizenship, route now closed | Citizenship and passport |
| Status as of June 2026 | Closed after the April 2025 EU Court of Justice ruling | Open |
| Lead investment | No current qualifying cost to publish | Real estate from 400,000 US dollars held three years |
| Alternative route | Not available | Bank deposit or government bonds from 500,000 US dollars |
| EU and Schengen access | Would have given EU citizenship | Outside the EU and Schengen |
| Official authority | Community Malta Agency | Presidency of Migration Management |
Figures are indicative and current as of June 2026. Turkey Citizenship by Investment: Presidency of Migration Management, Ministry of Interior. Former Malta route: Community Malta Agency. publishes the binding detail. Verify before you act.
No. The citizenship by direct investment route was closed after the April 2025 Court of Justice of the European Union ruling. Confirm any current naturalisation grounds with the official authority.
Yes, it remained open as of June 2026, with a lead route through real estate held for three years. Confirm current rules and figures with the official authority.
No. Turkey is not in the EU or the Schengen area, so its passport does not grant EU free movement.
Information, not advice. Figures are indicative and current as of June 2026. Always confirm the present rules with the official program authority and a licensed professional before you act.
The rules for this route changed recently. Confirm the current position with current guidance before you act.
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