Arrival in Malta

Prepare a valid passport or national identity card, proof of accommodation, health insurance, sufficient funds and documents that show the purpose of the stay. Keep original documents and digital copies. Foreign civil-status or qualification documents may need an apostille or legalisation and an official translation into English or Maltese. Malta is part of the Schengen Area. Travel from another Schengen country normally does not involve routine border control, but you should still carry a valid passport or identity card. Travel from outside Schengen involves document checks. Keep the entry date, visa or permit validity, boarding records, accommodation evidence and insurance documents together. EU and EEA citizens generally do not need a residence or work permit. They can stay for up to three months without residence registration. A stay exceeding three months requires registration with Identità after the person has actually moved to Malta, using the Expatriates Portal. The application is based on employment, self-employment, study, family relationships or sufficient resources. An application should not be filed before the move. Swiss citizens and UK nationals follow separate, status-dependent procedures; UK nationals covered by the Withdrawal Agreement use a specific Identità process, while new arrivals from the UK do not automatically have EU free-movement rights. Non-EU nationals who intend to stay for more than 90 days usually need a D Visa before entering the Schengen Area. A short-stay visa or visa exemption normally allows no more than 90 days in any 180-day period. A D Visa supports the initial residence process but does not guarantee entry. Typical documents include an application, passport, photograph, travel health insurance, accommodation for at least one month, proof of sufficient funds, a provisional flight booking and documents for the stated purpose. After arrival, the person may need to apply promptly for a residence permit or Single Permit, which combines residence and work authorisation in relevant employment cases. An open application alone does not legalise an overstay, and employment requires valid work and residence authorisation. A temporary address is useful for the first weeks, but the address must remain supported by reliable evidence. After moving, update the address with Identità. EU applicants generally provide identity and address evidence, and sometimes a rental agreement. Non-EU applicants may need an existing residence card, a new purchase or rental agreement, a landlord declaration and Housing Authority approval. The stated fee for a non-EU address update is €50. Failure to report a required change can put a residence permit at risk. Malta does not use one general municipal registration procedure equivalent to a German residents' register; address obligations are handled through Identità and the documents connected with the residence status. An eResidence Document or Registration Certificate records the relevant residence position. An eID is a separate electronic identity credential used for government services and is not proof of a right to reside. Holders of an eResidence document can apply for an eID through a Servizz.gov service centre or the Identity Cards Office. The stated processing guide is about one day for submission, five days for review and ten days for the activation link. eResidence document holders aged 14 and over can use this service. Work creates additional registrations. The employer submits the Jobsplus Engagement Form when employment begins and no later than four working days afterwards. Jobsplus handles employment registration and work authorisation. For an EU citizen starting work for the first time in Malta, the usual evidence includes identity and residence documents. A non-EU employee normally needs a residence card or temporary authorisation to work together with valid work permission. The Department of Social Security issues the Social Security Number, or SSN, used for social-security records. Since July 2025, an SSN may be created automatically through Jobsplus for eligible employees or self-employed people; otherwise the application can be made online through the Department of Social Security or Servizz.gov. The SSN is normally lifelong, but contact and bank details should be updated when they change. Paying contributions does not by itself establish entitlement to every benefit. The Commissioner for Revenue handles tax registration. People resident in Malta generally need a Tax Identification Number, or TIN; some EU cases with an SSN and employment purpose and some non-EU Single Permit cases may receive one automatically, while other applicants use the Expatriates Registration Form. Tax residence and a residence card are different matters. Healthcare access depends on residence status, insurance and contributions. EU free-movement cases may rely on an S1 or S072 form or an entitlement certificate. An EHIC is not normally sufficient as the sole basis for permanent settlement when the person lacks the required contributions, S1 or entitlement evidence. Economically self-sufficient applicants generally need sufficient funds and comprehensive sickness insurance. Non-EU applicants need travel insurance for the D Visa and, depending on the category, permit insurance of at least €100,000 covering outpatient and inpatient treatment. Public healthcare is not automatically available to every person immediately after entry. Some official guidance requires foreign employees to show continuous residence and work in Malta for 12 months together with tax and social-security payments before access is established. Primary healthcare centres may request identity and supporting documents; non-EU patients may also be asked for a payslip. Call 112 for a life-threatening emergency; the service is free and available 24 hours a day, including without a SIM card. Number 1400 provides non-emergency medical triage, 1579 supports mental health, 1774 handles poisoning advice and 179 provides social-welfare and child-protection support. Children aged three to fifteen who come from abroad can apply for state-school admission through a Registration Form. The application is submitted to the relevant school or college network, and the place depends on the local catchment area. Maltese and English are used in the school environment. For daily travel, the Tallinja app provides real-time bus information, while sales and information points are available at locations including the Airport Arrivals Lounge. EU driving licences are recognised in Malta. A non-EU licence is generally usable for up to 12 months from the latest entry, and an exchange is possible only for licences from approved countries and usually requires at least 185 days of residence during the relevant 12-month period. Electricity and water accounts are handled by ARMS. A tenant can open an account only where the agreement with the owner allows it and the existing connections are already available. A stated guide amount for the deposit is €466. When the tenancy ends, the account should be transferred back to the owner. For a rental shorter than two months, changing the account holder is generally not recommended. Servizz.gov provides government information through its website, the 153 telephone service, Maltapps and regional or specialist service centres. The practical sequence is determined by the person's status, purpose, length of stay, island, address and supporting documents.