Tourist visa for Malta

A tourist visa for Malta is the main legal document authorising short-term entry into the country. The island offers everything you need for any kind of holiday. Malta is renowned for its mild climate, pleasant beaches, well-developed infrastructure, very high level of safety and numerous historical monuments. English is spoken everywhere, so you will not encounter any language barriers.

Legally, this entry permit is known as a Schengen Type C visa, with tourism specified as the purpose of the visit. For the application to be approved, the purpose of the visit must be substantiated with supporting documents. A Schengen tourist visa allows you to stay in Malta legally for up to 90 days. You will be able not only to explore the sights or relax, but also to meet with business partners, take part in various cultural or sporting events, and visit relatives, friends and acquaintances.

A short-stay C visa for Malta allows you to stay on the island or in any country within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. You may be granted a single-entry or multiple-entry visa, depending on the consulate and your visa history. In most cases, the standard single-entry option will be available, but extended options — double-entry or multiple-entry — are also available.

If Malta is your destination or the country of first entry, you must submit your application for a Schengen tourist visa to its consulate or visa centre. However, this is not always the case. If you wish to travel across Europe, you must submit your application for a Schengen tourist visa to the consulate or visa centre of the country where you plan to spend the majority of your time. If the expected durations are the same, then apply to the country of first entry.

Who needs a tourist visa for Malta

Only citizens of third countries need to apply for a special entry permit if there are no relevant bilateral visa-free agreements in place. A Schengen visa for Malta is also required for foreign nationals residing in countries subject to visa requirements, unless they hold a valid residence permit or long-term D-type visa for a Schengen country.

A Maltese C visa is not required for:

• EU/EEA citizens and Swiss nationals;
• citizens of countries with a valid visa-free regime with the Schengen Area, such as the USA, the UK, Canada, Australia, Georgia and Moldova; conditions for eligibility include holding a biometric passport and a stay of up to 90 days; however, from 12 October 2025, the EES (Entry/Exit System) will be phased in at Schengen borders, with full implementation from 10 April 2026, and from the end of 2026 the situation may change if the ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) is introduced;
• holders of a valid residence permit or permanent residence permit, or a national D visa from any country in the Schengen Area.

Key requirements

Obtaining a tourist visa for Malta involves meeting several mandatory conditions. These relate not only to the required documents and proof of financial means. You must confirm that, at the time of crossing the border, you will have accommodation, return tickets and insurance, and that you retain strong socio-economic ties to the country from which you are entering Malta.

Key requirements for obtaining a Schengen tourist visa:

• A valid passport. It must be valid for at least 3 months after the planned date of departure from the Schengen Area. The passport must have been issued no more than 10 years ago, and it must have two blank pages.
• Financial means. The minimum requirement is €48 per person per day, but at the consulate or visa centre this figure is often rounded up to € Conditions may vary, so it is best to check the current requirements at the time of applying for a Maltese C visa. Proof of funds: a bank statement covering the last 3–6 months, preferably bearing the bank’s wet stamp. If the trip is being funded by a third party, a standard sponsorship letter and a document showing the sponsor’s income level are required.
• Tickets and accommodation. The best option is pre-purchased return travel tickets with fixed dates. An acceptable alternative is a confirmed hotel booking for the entire duration of your stay in Malta or an official invitation from the host party (Proof of Accommodation).
• Medical insurance. The minimum cover is €30,000, valid for the Schengen Area. The insurance must cover the entire duration of your stay in Malta.
• Social and economic ties to your country of citizenship or permanent residence. You must demonstrate that you do not intend to remain in Malta. The best option is a certificate from your official employer stating your position, salary and length of service. Documents relating to self-employment or a company, confirmation of your studies, or a pension certificate will also suffice.

When you visit the consulate or visa centre, in most cases your fingerprints will be taken and a digital photograph will be taken. The exception is if you have undergone this procedure previously, within the last 59 months.

All documents in languages other than Maltese and English must be translated. There are usually no requirements for an apostille or notarisation. Certificates and bank statements are valid for no more than one month. If you are crossing the border with a child, they will need a separate application form, a birth certificate and consent for the child to travel from the other parent, as well as copies of the mother’s and father’s valid Schengen visas.

Validity period of a Maltese C visa, rules of use

The standard 90/180 rule applies to Schengen visas for Malta. This entry document allows you to stay in the country for no more than 90 days within any 180-day period.

When planning to apply for a short-stay visa for Malta, you should also take several factors into account:

• Validity of the visa. The period during which you may use the entry permit. This is determined by the consul and indicated on the visa sticker by two dates — the start date (From:) and the end date (Until:). Example: from 1 June to 30 November, a 6-month period.
• Duration of stay. The actual number of days during which you are entitled to remain in any country within the Schengen Area, but only within the ‘Validity’ period. This is calculated by a consular officer based on the documents submitted and your visa history. The maximum is 90 days; you will usually be granted 15 or 30 days.
• Number of entries. A single-entry visa expires immediately upon departure from the Schengen Area, even if the number of days has not yet been used up. A Maltese C double-entry visa permits two entries. This is convenient if you plan to visit another country outside the Schengen Area and then return. Multiple-entry visas do not restrict freedom of movement within the overall validity period.

When applying for the first time, a single-entry visa is usually issued for a specific travel date, with a 15-day ‘safety margin’ added. Multiple-entry visas are generally granted if the applicant has a good visa history and travels frequently.

Submitting documents

There are several ways to start the process. These include the consulate, the consular section of the Maltese embassy, or the authorised visa centre VFS Global. The options available depend on the country and region where the application is submitted. During the holiday season, you may have to wait quite a long time for an available appointment slot; applying via VFS Global is often quicker.

The earliest you can apply for a Maltese C visa is six months before your intended date of entry; the latest is 15 calendar days before, as stipulated in the Schengen Code. The best option is 3–4 weeks before your departure date.

There are two standard ways to complete the form. The choice depends on the rules of the specific consulate or visa centre, rather than on which format suits you best. Most often, you will complete all fields online, after which the system generates a PDF file that you must download, print out and sign. This format is now used in almost all cases. An alternative is to download a blank form in advance. You will need to download it, print it out, fill it in by hand and sign it in person. For minors, both parents or guardians must sign on their behalf.

You will then need to compile a complete set of documents. In most cases, the basic set is sufficient, but occasionally a consular officer may request additional supporting documents.

Submitting your documents requires a physical visit to the consulate or visa centre. If your biometric data is not in the system, is damaged or incorrect, or if more than 59 months have passed since it was submitted, you must attend in person. If the data is up to date, you may submit your documents via a representative acting under a power of attorney or a close relative.

Children under 12 require a digital photograph, but they do not need to provide fingerprints. The requirements regarding their personal attendance depend on the specific consulate or visa centre; most often, documents for children are submitted by their parents or guardians.

During your visit, you will need to pay the fees and for any additional services:

• consular fee (Schengen Visa Fee): adults — €90, children aged 6 to 12 — €45, children under 6 — free;
• when applying for a Schengen tourist visa via VFS Global, you will also need to pay for the processing of your application (approximately €20–€30);
• additional services also incur a charge; typical examples include courier delivery of your passport, SMS notifications, a photo booth and the premium lounge.

Important: along with the standard set of documents, you must submit your passport. The processing time for your application is 15 calendar days from the date of submission of the complete set of documents; in some cases, this may be extended to 30–45 days. You can track the status of your application using the Reference Number on the VFS Global website. You can collect your passport with a tourist visa for Malta affixed to it, or with a refusal stamp, in person at the visa centre, via a representative, or by arranging courier delivery.

If you have any further questions, please contact our specialists in any way that suits you for further advice.