This guide sets out essential information for British citizens about moving to or living in Malta. Read about how our High Commission in Malta can help.
This information is provided as a guide only. You should obtain definitive information from the Maltese authorities. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is not liable for any inaccuracies in this information.
Read general guidance on moving or retiring abroad.
To stay up to date:
If you were living in Malta before 1 January 2021
Some parts of this guide only apply if you were living in Malta since before 1 January 2021. These are indicated with sub-headings.
You should also read our Living in Europe page for detailed guidance about citizens’ rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.
Coronavirus
You should follow the advice of the Maltese Government and your local authority. You can also read our Malta travel advice for our latest guidance.
For information on getting a COVID-19 vaccine as a UK national in Malta see our coronavirus travel advice.
Visas and residency
Check the entry requirements for Malta and read the Maltese government’s:
To register for residency, or if your residence document has expired, contact Identity Malta.
If you were living in Malta before 1 January 2021
If you applied under the Withdrawal Agreement for your residence card by 30 June 2021, your rights are protected by the Withdrawal Agreement, pending a decision on your application. You should continue the process to get your new residence card if you do not have it yet.
Until you get your new Withdrawal Agreement card, your current residence document remains valid if you still hold it. You can also use your receipt of application for the new card as evidence of your legal status in Malta.
If you have not had a response to your Withdrawal Agreement residence card application, contact ID Malta either by calling +356 2590 4800 or email brexit.ima@gov.mt or eresidence-brexit.mgoz@gov.mt (if you live in Gozo).
If your application is refused, you will be notified in writing about how to appeal. You will have 3 days to submit your appeal to:
The Immigration Appeals Board
15, First Floor, City Gate Building
Ordinance Street
Valletta
VLT1020
Email: immigrationappealsboard@gov.mt
Telephone: 25689456
The deadline for applying for a new residence status was 30 June 2021. You can still apply if you have reasonable grounds for missing it. Applications will be considered on a case by case basis. You should apply as soon as possible – do not delay.
You must explain why your application is late and provide documents to support this. Contact ID Malta on brexit.ima@gov.mt to make an in-person appointment to submit your application.
If any of your details on your Withdrawal Agreement residence card change, such as your address or your name, you must get a new Withdrawal Agreement residence card. Contact Identity Malta to make an appointment.
If your Withdrawal Agreement residence card is going to expire, you should contact Identity Malta to renew it by emailing brexit.ima@gov.mt or eresidence-brexit.mgoz@gov.mt (in Gozo).
Your close family members continue to be able to join you and settle in Malta at any point in the future. Find more information on who this applies to on the Living in Europe page.
They must travel to Malta and after 90 days book an appointment with Identity Malta for a Withdrawal Agreement residence card as your family member.
Nationals of certain non-EU countries may need a visa before travel.
If you need additional support relating to your Withdrawal Agreement residence card application, read UK Nationals Support Fund guidance.
Passports and travel
You can apply for or renew your British passport from Malta.
Check the travel advice for Malta for passport validity requirements.
Always carry your passport when travelling within the Schengen area. If you have citizenship of an EU/EFTA country, in addition to your British citizenship, you should enter and leave Malta using your EU/EFTA passport.
If you stay in Malta with a residence card or long stay visa, this does not count towards your 90-day visa-free limit for the Schengen area.
If you visit other Schengen area countries outside Malta, make sure you do not exceed the visa-free 90 days in any 180-day period. You are responsible for counting how long you stay under the Schengen visa waiver, and you must comply with its conditions.
Different rules apply to EU countries that are not part of the Schengen area. Check each country’s travel advice page for information on entry requirements.
If you were living in Malta before 1 January 2021
When you travel, especially within the Schengen area, carry your residence document or frontier worker permit issued under the Withdrawal Agreement, in addition to your valid passport.
You must proactively show your Withdrawal Agreement residence card, or other evidence of residence status, if you are asked to show your passport at border control. If you have applied for, but not yet received your Withdrawal Agreement residence card, carry your certificate of application.
If you cannot prove that you are resident in Malta, you may be asked additional questions at the border to enter the Schengen area, and your passport may be stamped on entry and exit. This will not affect your rights in Malta.
If you have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement you do not need any extra months on your passport to enter or exit EU countries.
Healthcare
Read our guidance on healthcare in Malta and make sure you are correctly registered for your circumstances.
You should also read our guidance on:
If you plan to travel in other European countries, read our general guidance on healthcare when travelling in Europe, and advice on foreign travel insurance.
Working in Malta
If you are planning to move to Malta and work there, you may need a visa. Read the Maltese government’s guidance on how to get a visa.
To apply for a job you may need to:
Read:
If you were living in Malta before 1 January 2021
You have the right to work if you applied for a Withdrawal Agreement residence card.
If you live in Malta and were regularly commuting to work in another EU or EFTA country before 1 January 2021, read our guidance for frontier workers.
Professional qualifications
You may need to get your professional qualification recognised if you want to work in a profession that is regulated in Malta.
Read guidance on:
If you were living in Malta before 1 January 2021
If the relevant regulator in Malta officially recognised your professional qualification before 1 January 2021, or you started the recognition process by this date, make sure you understand the terms of your recognition decision. Seek advice from the regulator if needed.
Studying in Malta
If you plan to study in Malta, you must meet all visa requirements before you travel.
Contact the relevant higher education provider in Malta to check what fees you may have to pay.
Read our guidance on:
For more information read studying in the European Union.
If you were living in Malta before 1 January 2021
The studying in the European Union guidance includes specific information for those who were already living in Malta before 1 January 2021.
Money, tax and banking
The UK has a double taxation agreement with Malta to ensure people do not pay tax on the same income in both countries. You can ask the relevant tax authority about double taxation relief.
You should get professional advice on paying tax in Malta. Find an English-speaking lawyer in Malta.
You can read guidance about:
National Insurance
Find out if you need to pay National Insurance in the UK or social security contributions in Malta.
UK banking
Whether UK banks can provide services to customers living in the EEA depends on local laws and regulation.
Read the Money and Pension Service guidance on banking, insurance and financial services changes for more information on cross-border banking.
Pensions
Read our guidance on entitlement to UK benefits and pensions while you are living in Malta.
You will need to tell the UK government offices that deal with your benefits, pension and tax if you are moving or retiring abroad.
Read our State Pension guidance if you have lived in Australia, Canada or New Zealand and you are claiming or waiting to claim your UK State Pension.
If you retire in Malta, you can claim:
Read the Money and Pension Service’s MoneyHelper guidance on pension and retirement changes for more information on cross-border pensions.
Life certificates for UK State Pensions
If you get a ‘life certificate’ from the UK Pension Service, you need to respond as soon as possible. Your payments may be suspended if you don’t.
Benefits
Read our guidance on entitlement to UK benefits and pensions while you are living in Malta.
If you are moving or retiring abroad, you must tell the UK government offices that deal with your benefits, pension and tax.
Check which UK benefits you can claim while abroad and how to claim them.
Many income-related benefits such as Pension Credit and Housing Benefit cannot be paid if you’re abroad for more than 4 weeks.
You can request proof from HMRC of the time you’ve worked in the UK, and of your UK National Insurance record.
Maltese benefits
You may be eligible to claim some Maltese social security benefits. You should:
Accommodation and buying property
You may need to meet certain eligibility requirements when purchasing property in Malta, including applying for an Acquisition of Immovable Property [AIP] Permit.
Read:
You may also wish to seek legal advice. Read our list of English-speaking lawyers in Malta.
Driving in Malta
You cannot renew or replace your UK licence if you are resident overseas.
If you moved to Malta after 1 January 2021, you can use your valid UK licence for 12 months from the date you moved to Malta. Before the end of the 12 months, you must exchange your licence for a Maltese one. You need to take a driving test.
The UK and Maltese governments are currently negotiating long-term arrangements for exchanging driving licences without the requirement for a test. We will update this page when the new rules are announced Sign up for email alerts, to get notified when we update this page.
For information on driving in Malta, read the guidance on:
If you were living in Malta before 1 January 2021
You can use your valid UK driving licence until 31 December 2021. Before 31 December 2021, you must exchange your licence for a Maltese one. You need to take a driving test.
The UK and Maltese governments are currently negotiating long-term arrangements for exchanging driving licences without the requirement for a test. We will update this page when the new rules are announced Sign up for email alerts to get notified when we update this page.
Bringing a UK-registered vehicle to Malta
Once you’re resident in Malta, if you import your car you must obtain Maltese number plates.
Read:
Driving in the UK with a Maltese licence
You can use your Maltese licence in the UK for short visits, or exchange it for a UK licence without taking a test.
Voting
You can vote in local municipal elections. You cannot vote in general elections in Malta or European Parliament elections.
You may be able to vote in some UK elections. You can:
Births, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships
If your child is born in Malta, you will need to register a birth abroad
If someone dies in Malta read our guidance on:
Find out how you can get married or get a civil partnership abroad.
Pets
If you have a pet passport issued by Malta or another EU member state, you can use it to travel with your pet to Great Britain and elsewhere in the EU.
A GB-issued EU pet passport is not valid for travel to the EU or Northern Ireland. You should speak to your vet before you travel to get the necessary pet travel documents and ensure you’re compliant with the EU Pet Travel Regulations.
Read guidance on:
Check the rules of the country you’re travelling to for any additional restrictions or requirements before you travel.
Emergencies
The emergency number in Malta is 112.
If you need urgent help, are the victim of crime, have been arrested, or are affected by a crisis in Malta, contact the British High Commission Malta.
Returning to the UK
Check the COVID travel guidance for entering the UK.
Tell the Maltese and UK authorities if you are returning to the UK permanently.
Before leaving Malta you must contact:
If you get a UK State Pension, you must tell the International Pension Centre.
Read the guidance on returning to the UK permanently which includes information on, amongst other things, tax, access to services and bringing family members.
If you return to the UK permanently and meet the ordinarily residence test, you’ll be able to access NHS care without charge.
Useful information
Support for British Nationals abroad: a guide sets out how to stay safe abroad, and explains how the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) can support you if you get into difficulty.
