Travel To Malta From The UK: Malta Entry Requirements And Travel Restrictions

Since the Coronavirus pandemic, all countries have had substantial travel restrictions and entry requirements. But, as the pandemic dims down, governments are lifting their restrictions and entry requirements. Although travel restrictions have been lifted, there are still a few things you must know before you visit Malta from the UK.

For that reason, in this post, I will explain everything you need to know before enjoying your Maltese getaway. I will explain important travel information such as visa requirements, required documents, and Malta COVID-19 entry requirements.

Here's what you'll need to know:

Before traveling to any country, you must first find out if you need a visa. A visa is one of the essential travel requirements, but sometimes you do not have to apply for a visa. In this section, I will explain if United Kingdom citizens need a Malta Schengen Visa.

Later in this post, I will explain the Malta COVID entry requirements and more relevant COVID-19 information. Please use the link provided if you want to skip ahead.

• Do UK Citizens Need To Apply For A Malta Schengen Visa?
• Do UK Permanent Residence Holders Need To Apply For A Malta Schengen Visa?
• Can You Travel To Malta With A UK Visa?

Do UK Citizens Need To Apply For A Malta Schengen Visa?

No, UK citizens do not have to apply for a Malta Schengen Visa. Although the UK does not form part of the EU since Brexit, UK citizens can travel to EU countries without a visa.

UK citizens can travel to Malta or any country in the Schengen Area for short stays of 90 days. However, please remember that you must follow the 90/180-day rule. If you are unsure of the 90/180-day rule, please check out our guide for further information and a detailed explanation.

Do UK Permanent Residence Holders Need To Apply For A Malta Schengen Visa?

If you are a permanent resident of the UK, you might have to apply for the Malta Schengen Visa. I say it might because it all depends on your country of origin.

Some countries enjoy visa-free travel to the Schengen area, while others do not. Let me explain by using an example. Perhaps you are a UK resident from India. In that case, you must apply for a Schengen Visa because Indian citizens do not enjoy visa-free travel to the Schengen Area.

Can You Travel To Malta With A UK Visa?

The short answer is no. You cannot travel to Malta with a UK Visa. There are only a few European countries that allow for visa-free travel. However, you can travel to countries such as Albania, Georgia, Gibraltar, Northern Ireland, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Turkey with your UK Visa.

For additional travel advice, head to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) website.

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Traveling to any of the EU countries from the UK is still considered international travel. Therefore, you must have the following travel documents before entering the Schengen Area:

• Valid passport (not older than 10 years and must be valid for at least 3 months after the day of departure)
• Travel insurance
• Flight itinerary
• Hotel itinerary
• Means of subsistence (proof of financial sufficiency can be bank statements, traveler's cheque, or proof of employment)

You must abide by the Schengen passport requirements if you travel to any EU countries such as Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Spain, or Switzerland.

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Now that you know the basics of international travel to Malta, I will explain the COVID-19-related requirements. However, please remember that the Malta COVID entry requirements can change on short notice. Therefore, I advise you to keep up to date with the Maltese entry requirements and restrictions before traveling.

• What Are The Malta COVID Entry Requirements?
• What Are The Entry Requirements When Returning To The UK?
• Are There Any Quarantine Requirements In Malta?
• What Are The EU Approved Vaccines?
• What Is Considered A Valid Vaccination Certificate?
• Can I Use My UK COVID Pass To Enter The Schengen Area?

What Are The Malta COVID Entry Requirements?

The first and most important thing you must know about the Malta COVID entry requirements is that you no longer need to complete the Passenger Locator form. Instead, before entering Malta, all travelers over 12 must provide one of the following documents:

• Proof of vaccination status (COVID-19 vaccination certificate)
• Negative COVID-19 test (negative PCR test result or negative rapid antigen test)
• Certificate of recovery (a certificate stating that it has been no more than 180 days after the initial positive test)

What Are The Entry Requirements When Returning To The UK?

After you have enjoyed your trip and want to return to the UK, you do not have to meet any UK entry requirements. Currently, no red list restrictions exist for traveling to the UK. This means you do not have to provide a negative COVID-19 test or proof of vaccination. You are also not required to quarantine once you arrive.

Are There Any Quarantine Requirements In Malta?

No, there are no quarantine requirements if you present one of the Malta COVID entry requirements. However, if you do not meet the Malta COVID entry requirements, you must quarantine for at least 10 days. For example, if you test negative for COVID on the 7th day of your quarantine period, you can leave on the 8th day.

What Are The EU Approved Vaccines?

If you are a vaccinated traveler, ensure that you have one of the following vaccines that are approved by the EU:

• Comirnaty (also known as the US Pfizer vaccine)
• Spikevax (Covid-19 vaccine Moderna)
• Jcvovden (Covid-19 vaccine Janssen and also known as Johnson & Johnson)
• Vaxzevria (Covid-19 vaccine AstraZeneca)
• Nuvaxovid

What Is Considered A Valid Vaccination Certificate?

You are considered fully vaccinated if you received your COVID-19 booster dose; or had your second vaccine for no more than 270 days. If you are fully vaccinated and have your vaccination certificate, ensure that it meets the following requirements:

• EU digital COVID certificate (EUDCC) with a valid QR code
• Based on EU equivalence judgments by the European Commission, a vaccine certificate has been recognized as comparable to an EU Digital COVID certificate.
• Vaccine certificates published by the Superintendent of Public Health in the Government Gazette.

Can I Use My UK COVID Pass To Enter The Schengen Area?

Yes, you can use your UK COVID Pass to show proof of your vaccination status. However, if you need a test to help you go to another country, you should not use the NHS testing program. Additionally, your NHS vaccination appointment card is not intended to be used as proof of vaccination. Therefore, it should not be used to prove your vaccination status.

Malta will accept the UK's COVID vaccine certification as proof of vaccination status if you live in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, or Wales.

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You've probably heard of the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS). If you haven't, then let me explain.

The ETIAS was proposed 5 years ago as a new travel authorization system to enhance security in the Schengen Area. The system's goal is to collect information on visa-free tourists to the European Union and ensure that people who pose a security risk are identified before traveling to the Schengen Area.

Although the ETIAS is not yet active, you must apply for your ETIAS in 2023. You are exempt from completing the ETIAS visa application in 2022. However, in 2023 all UK citizens must apply for the ETIAS before traveling to any Schengen country.

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I hope your bags are packed and ready to go. As I mentioned earlier, you must keep updated with the Malta COVID entry requirements as they might change on short notice. You can also check out our FAQ section for more information about Malta.