This is the world’s most exclusive passport and only 500 people have it

The Sovereign Military Order of Malta issues passports to just 500 people

Applying for a UK passport can be seriously painstaking but a short interview is nothing compared to what it takes to get your hands on the world’s rarest passport.

The Sovereign Military Order of Malta is so exclusive that it grants passports to just a few hundred people around the world.

The Catholic order, which had its sovereignty recognised by Pope Paschal in 1113, is one of the oldest institutions in Christian civilisation.

It is a neutral, completely apolitical body that primarily concerns itself with humanitarian issues - at the moment, for example, it is heavily involved in providing medical assistance to refugees crossing the Aegean Sea to europe.

Since losing the island of Malta in 1798, this military order's sovereign land is restricted to two extra-territorial properties in Rome, from where it issues its own postage stamps, currency and passports

The chosen few in possession of the prized passport include the grand master, deputy grand master, and chancellor of the order.

The chosen few in possession of the passport include the grand master, deputy grand master, and chancellor of the order

In addition, diplomatic passports are issued to the heads and members of the Order's Diplomatic Missions (as well as their consort and minor children), and – with very few exceptions – to senior figures in charge of a special missions within the Order of Malta. The passport is valid for four years and is linked to the duration of the individual's assignment.

The current Grand Master is Fra' Matthew Festing, only the second Englishman to occupy the role.

Despite having diplomatic relations with more than 100 states, the Sovereign Military Order of Malta doesn’t control any territory of its own. There are over 13,500 knights, dames and chaplains in the Order, along with 80,000 volunteers and 25,000 medical employees.

Unfortunately, despite the passports’ rarity, you won’t be able to get far if you are one of the owners though.

Pope Francis poses with the Grand Master of the Sovereign Order of Malta, Fra' Matthew Festing (6th L) and delegates (Reuters)

Countries that do not accept the Order’s passport as a legitimate form of identification include UK, US and New Zealand.

However, Czech Republic, Germany, Spain, Italy, Latvia, Hungary, Austria, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia and Slovakia do.

* This article has been updated following clarification from the Order of Malta as to the number of passports it issues - the total being 500 including diplomatic passports and those issued to spouses and children of Order diplomats. 23/6/17