MALTA PASSPORT REQUIREMENTS
APPLYING FOR AN MALTA PASSPORT OR PASSPORT RENEWAL
Malta offers its citizens one of the highest-ranked passports in the world.
So, if you are a citizen of Malta it is beneficial knowing how to get a Maltese passport for yourself.
For those who aren’t citizens yet, getting a Maltese passport is often one of the primary reasons to start the process in the first place.
In this guide, we’ll give you all the information you need to know for getting your very own Malta passport.
But first, you’ll need to become a citizen of Malta. If you would like to know more about this process, consider reading these guides first:
- Different routes to get Maltese citizenship
- How to apply for Maltese citizenship
How Useful is a Maltese Passport?
The Malta passport typically lands in the top 10 in world rankings.
Most passport comparisons use a few numbers to arrive at their ranking. How many countries can you enter without a visa? How many can you enter if you get a visa on arrival or an equivalent electronic travel authorization (eTA)? Finally, how many countries can you visit with a visa?
For someone holding a Malta passport, the options are wide open:
- Access to 147 countries without a visa
- Access to 29 countries with a visa on arrival
- Access to 12 countries with an eTA
- Access to 21 countries with a visa
Remember, with Maltese citizenship, you already have passport-free access to every country in the Schengen Zone—and you can stay in these countries as long as you like.
The Schengen Zone includes Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. Some of these countries aren’t even in the EU, like Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland.
Passport Malta Requirements (New Passports)
Here is a list of requirements you will need for your Maltese passport:
1. Maltese Citizenship
First and foremost, you will need to become a citizen. Malta makes this easy for individuals capable of making large direct investments in the country, with their citizenship by investment program offering access to a passport after only 12 months of residency in some cases.
If you aren’t capable of the large investment (over half a million euros), you can also get citizenship through a few other common ways:
- naturalization (this takes 7 years)
- by descent
- by marriage
Check out our full guide to all the ways you can become a citizen of Malta.
2. Application Passport Requirements Malta
Once you have your citizenship, getting your passport is easy.
You will need to fill out an application form with the Passport Office. You will need to arrive to the office in person and submit these documents:
- Form A (filling in sections 1, 2, 7, and 9)
- Section 7 will need to be signed and stamped by your recommender—this person must be a national of Malta, an EU member state, or the Commonwealth and residing in the country with a university degree, and they must have known you for at least 2 years
- Your Malta ID card (plus a copy of its front and back)
- If you live abroad and don’t have an ID, you can offer 1 passport photo endorsed by your recommender
- If you acquired your citizenship, you’ll need to submit your citizenship certificate along with a copy
You will also pay a fee, which changes based on time of year:
- September to March: €70
- April to August: €80
3. Wait for Processing
Typically, a passport is ready after only 4 business days. But if you need it sooner, you can pay the expedited fee of €140 (rather than the typical fee) to have it ready in 4 hours.
If the application contains errors or missing information, the Passport Office will notify you to sort things out, prolonging the process.
Also, if the Office finds one of the documents is missing, the process stops altogether.
4. Pick Up Your Malta Passport
Once you get word that everything is ready, you’ll drop by the Passport Office to pick it up. You will need to present your ID and have your fingerprint checked before leaving with your new passport.
Now, you have a Malta passport that’s valid for 10 years!
Renew Passport Malta Requirements
To renew your passport, you’ll need to visit the Passport Office in person. There, you will:
- Fill out Form A (sections 1, 2, 5, and 9)
- Present your Malta ID (along with a front and back copy)
- If you live abroad and don’t have a Malta ID, you can replace it with a passport photo endorsed by a recommender, and you’ll need to fill out section 7 of Form A with your recommender, who must also sign and stamp it)
- Previous passport
At the office, you’ll have biometric data collected again.
The fees and wait times are the same as getting a new passport, and you’ll need to pick it up in person from the office.
This process renews your Malta passport for another 10 years.
What if my Maltese passport is lost, damaged, or destroyed?
You can replace your passport using the same process outlined above. However, there will be an added €11 fee if the passport you are replacing is still valid.
Get Support Meeting Passport Requirements for Malta
MDC is here to support you through the process of becoming a Maltese citizen and qualifying for your very own Malta passport.
Book a free consultation call to speak with one of our experts today.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I get a Malta passport?
Citizens of Malta are eligible for a passport.
How long does it take to get a Maltese passport?
At the regular fee of €70-80, it will take 4 days to get your passport. For a rush fee of €140, you can get it in as little as 4 hours.
However, if you have missing information or a missing document, the process can take longer or come to a complete halt.
How much does a Maltese passport cost?
For standard, 4-day processing, you’ll pay a fee based on the time of year. €70 between September and March. €80 between April and August.
For a €140 fee, you can expedite the process to 4 hours.
If you are replacing a lost, damaged, or missing passport that’s still valid, you pay an additional €11.
How good is a Maltese passport?
The Malta passport is considered very good. Just how good is it compared to other countries? As mentioned above, ou’ll get access to:
- 147 countries without a visa
- 29 countries with a visa on arrival
- 12 countries with an eTA
- 21 countries with a visa
This page was last updated with with help by Marco Permunian
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