COVID-19 Precautionary Measures in Malta (15 July Update)

Can a resident enter the country?

• Yes

• Citizens and residents are allowed to enter.

• Maltese residents or citizens not in possession of a vaccine certificate must obtain prior authorization from “vetting authorization” which can be found here. Travellers will be required to provide evidence of a PCR test within 72 hours before arrival and quarantine for 14 days on arrival.

Can a foreigner enter the country?

• Yes, with exceptions.

• Foreigners are allowed to enter Malta depending on the COVID-19 risk level in the country.

• All countries have been redesigned as Red or Dark red depending on the COVID-19 risk level in the country. The entry limitations that apply to travellers are determined by the Maltese vaccination status and special authorization. The list of the countries can be found here.

• At present no countries are on the green list and Amber list.

• Effective 14 July all countries previously listed as amber are classified as red thus only a person in possession of a valid recognized vaccine certificate will be permitted to travel to Malta. The list of countries can be found here

• Passengers arriving from countries that are classified by Malta as “Red” are allowed to enter Malta provided that they have a valid official Maltese​ vaccination certificate (age 12 and over)
  or a printed NHS Vaccination letter with the subject 'Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination confirmation: two doses received' or an EU Digital COVID vaccination certificate. The list of Red countries can be found here. Travellers who do not have a valid vaccination certificate and wish to travel to Malta from red list countries must obtain special permission.

• Passengers arriving from countries categorized as “Dark red” by Malta are permitted to enter the country if they have received prior authorization to travel for essential reasons. More information and a list of Dark red countries can be found here

• All arrivals from the UK need to present proof of full vaccination (2 doses). Only the paper version of the NHS COVID vaccination letter, with the subject 'Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination confirmation: two doses received', will be accepted, not the digital app version, nor a printout from the digital app.

• Any person travelling to Malta from a country/region in Malta's Red list must have been resident in that or any other country/state (including Malta) in these lists, for the 14 days prior to travel. Persons travelling to coming to Malta from these countries must not pass through transit airports outside these zones.

• Passengers arriving on humanitarian, medevac, or repatriation flights and merchant seamen.

• Children aged 5-11 can travel if they are accompanying their vaccinated parents/legal guardian and must show evidence of a negative Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test, dated within 72 hours before arrival. Children under 5 do not need a test. Children aged 12-18 will only be able to travel if they have proof of full vaccination.

• From 1 July 2021, the EU Digital COVID Certificates will also be accepted.

Is a test required on arrival?

• No with exceptions

• All arriving and departing travellers will have their temperature checked. Anyone with a fever may be required to have a COVID-19 test.

• If upon arrival in Malta, any passenger (aged 5 and older) who is not in possession of a negative RT-PCR certificate will be subject to a mandatory RT-PCR test and mandatory quarantine until a negative test result is obtained. Maltese nationals and those holding a Maltese residence permit or a valid Maltese vaccination certificate will also be subject to a mandatory RT-PCR test and mandatory quarantine until a negative test result is obtained.

• Is a test certificate allowed?

• Yes

• Test certificates issued by other countries are accepted.

Test certificate required?

• No with exceptions

• Travellers from Red Countries are exempt from testing provided that they have a valid official Maltese Vaccination certificate or a printed NHS vaccination letter with the subject ‘Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination confirmation: two doses received’ or from 1 July an EU Digital COVID vaccination certificate. More information can be found here.

• Travellers from Dark Red Countries must present a negative RT-PCR certificate issued within 72 hours before arrival in Malta. More information can be found [here](https://deputyprimeminister.gov.mt/en/health-promotion/covid-19/Pages/travel.aspx.

• Maltese citizens or persons arriving from the non-amber countries with a valid Malta resident permit need to present a negative RT-PCR test which must be performed within 72 hours prior to arrival in Malta.

• Children under 12 years may accompany their vaccinated parents only if a negative RT-PCR test is performed within 72 hours prior to arrival in Malta. Children under 5 years are exempt from testing if they accompany their vaccinated parents. More information can be found here.

• Travellers with a verified vaccination certificate are exempt from pre-travel testing and self-isolation.

Is quarantine required on arrival?

• Yes with exceptions

• Travellers arriving from non-amber countries are required to undergo a 14-day mandatory quarantine.

• Travellers arriving without a valid test certificate or a valid Maltese vaccination certificate in case of Maltese nationals and those holding a Maltese residence permit will be asked to enter quarantine for 14 days on arrival.

• Maltese citizens and persons arriving from Dark Red** countries and other non-amber countries with a valid Maltese residence permit must observe a 14-day mandatory quarantine on arrival and must undergo two repeat PCR tests on days 11 and 12 of quarantine. Additional testing may be requested as required by the public health authorities. The quarantine address and the test results are to be forwarded here.

• Fully vaccinated travellers arriving in Malta with a valid Maltese vaccination certificate or a printed NHS Vaccination Letter with the subject 'Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination confirmation: two doses received' are exempt from quarantine measures. Children under 12 years may accompany their vaccinated parents only if a negative RT-PCR test is performed no later than 72 hours prior to arrival in Malta. Children under 5 years are exempt from testing if they accompany their vaccinated parents.

• Mandatory quarantine for a longer period may be required, such as in the case of a positive RT-PCR result, or for arrivals from countries/regions in Malta's Red and Dark Red lists who do not have the required authorization or a valid vaccination certificate (in the case of countries/regions for which travel using a valid vaccination certificate is allowed).

• Maltese nationals and those holding a Maltese residence permit can request to be quarantined at their permanent address in Malta or an appointed quarantine address but other travellers are required to quarantine at a designated quarantine hotel.

• Travellers with a verified vaccination certificate are exempt from pre-travel testing and self-isolation.

• Based on the above restrictions, arriving travellers may either be exempted if arriving from corridor countries or enter quarantine for a maximum of 14 days.

Vaccination required?

• Yes, with exceptions.

• A COVID-19 vaccination is not required to enter Malta. However, vaccinated travellers arriving from red countries are exempted from testing. More information can be found here.

• Travellers arriving from certain countries with a valid Maltese vaccination certificate or a printed NHS Vaccination Letter with the subject 'Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination confirmation: two doses received' may enter without the PCR test requirement or quarantine obligation. More information and the list of countries can be found here.

• Fully vaccinated nationals or residency permit holders are exempted from test certificate requirements. To be considered “fully vaccinated”, travellers must have the 2nd dose of the Pfizer, Moderna, or AstraZeneca vaccine or the single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least two weeks before travelling to Malta. More details can be found here.

Entry form required?

• Yes with exceptions

• All arrivals must show a Public Health Declaration form and “Passenger Locator Form” on arrival. The forms can be found on the website of Malta airport.

• Any persons authorized to travel and arriving from other red (travel ban) zones must present the “vetting authorization email” which can be found here together with a negative PCR test result. Further information can be found at this website.

Insurance required?

• No

• Proof of insurance coverage for COVID-19 expenses is not required to enter the country.

Airline restrictions

• Minimal

• Malta airports have reopened for commercial flights. Ferry flights, repatriation flights, and humanitarian flights are currently operating.

Border restrictions

• Minimal

• Borders at airports and ports are open.

Curfew restrictions

• Minimal

• There is no curfew in Malta.

Social restrictions

• Moderate

• Physical distancing guidelines should be followed.

• Up to six people are permitted to gather in public spaces.

Internal travel restrictions

• Minimal

• Every vessel and public transport will operate with reduced passenger capacity, and travellers are required to wear face masks.

Non-essential shops open?

• Yes

• Non-essential shops are open.

Accommodations open?

• Yes

• Ancillary services in hotels are closed and only room service will be provided.

Restaurants open?

• Yes

• Restaurants are open until 02:00 when permitted by the establishment’s license. Establishments whose license requires them to close before 02:00 must close at the time set out in the same license.

Bars and cafes open?

• Yes

• Bars are open until 02:00 when permitted by the establishment’s license. Establishments whose license requires them to close before 02:00 must close at the time set out in the same license.

Beaches and tourism sites open?

• Yes

• Beaches are open. Gyms and pools are open (no classes permitted). As of June 1, mask-wearing has been relaxed when on the beach and swimming.

Museums and heritage sites open?

• Yes

• Museums are open.

Personal care services open?

• Yes

• Personal care services are open.

Places of worship open?

• No

• Places of worship are closed.

Events allowed?

• Yes with exceptions

• Gatherings in public are limited to six people.

• Wedding and religious activities are permitted and should be held under health protocol.

Masks required in public?

• Yes

• Wearing face masks is mandatory in public places.

• Effective 1 July removal of masks in public spaces are allowed for vaccinated people, either if they are alone or with another vaccinated person.

• Children under 12 can remove their masks if they are with a vaccinated adult.

Other

• Band clubs and culture clubs can host a maximum of 6 people per table. Alcohol can only be served through table service if food is ordered. Discos remain closed.

• Theatres, cinemas, gaming, and betting establishments are open.

• Law courts, daycare centres are closed.

• Schools are open; secondary schools are open for online classes.

• Contact sports of children under 17 are allowed again and thus contact sports of all ages can continue.

• Water parks are open.

• Fitness classes are open.

The COVID-19 epidemic is constantly changing worldwide. Travel and border restrictions may change with little or no notice. Airlines may have their own requirements for testing, masking, and distancing. It is recommended that travellers carry a supply of face masks since the requirement can vary by location. It is recommended that travellers practice social distancing and maintain a 6-foot distance from other individuals and avoid crowded areas. Check with your airline, booking agent, or country's embassy for information on your specific travel plans.