Malta reopened its borders to international travel from some countries on July 1, 2020. Only travelers from designated safe corridor countries can travel to Malta right now. Malta is one of the countries that are open to tourists that uses a “traffic light” system to categorize countries, and each country-category has different entry requirements.

There are no countries that are currently considered “green” or “amber.”

Travelers from “red” countries must complete either a paper Public Health Travel Declaration and Passenger Locator Form or a digital Passenger Locator Form. They must also present proof of full vaccination in the form of a vaccination certificate. If travelers do not have a valid vaccination certificate, they must provide proof of a negative PCR test result that was obtained within 72 hours prior to arrival and quarantine for 14 days from their arrival in Malta.

Travelers from “dark red” countries can only travel to Malta if they have an essential reason for traveling or are a Maltese citizen/resident. They must complete a paper Public Health Travel Declaration and Passenger Locator Form or a digital Passenger Locator Form and present proof of a negative RT-PCR test result that was obtained within 72 hours prior to arrival in Malta. Travelers will also be required to quarantine for 14 days from their arrival in a quarantine hotel and get tested again on day 11-12 of the quarantine period.

Can I travel to Malta right now?

Only travelers from certain countries can visit Malta right now. Below is a map of all the countries that can visit Malta at the moment.

Malta COVID-19 travel restrictions and entry requirements

Malta’s entry requirements depend on which country you are traveling from.

Travelers from all countries must complete a paper Public Health Travel Declaration and Passenger Locator Form or a digital Passenger Locator Form.

If you’re coming from a “red” country, you must either present a vaccination certificate for a full course of vaccination, where the last dose was received more than 14 days prior, or present a negative PCR test result that was obtained within 72 hours prior to arrival and quarantine for 14 days from your arrival in Malta.

If you’re coming from a “ dark red” country, you must have an essential reason for traveling or be a Maltese citizen/resident. You must present proof of a negative RT-PCR test result that was obtained within 72 hours prior to arrival in Malta and quarantine for 14 days in a quarantine hotel at your own expense. You will then be subject to PCR testing on day 11-12 of your quarantine period and may undergo additional PCR testing.

COVID-19 vaccine to travel to Malta

All travelers from “red” countries must have a vaccination certificate for a full course of vaccination, where the last dose was received more than 14 days prior, in order to be exempt from testing and quarantine requirements.

A full course of vaccination means two doses of a two-dose vaccine or one dose of a one-dose vaccine. Acceptable vaccines are Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson and Johnson, and AstraZeneca.  

Acceptable vaccine certificates include the official Maltese vaccination certificate, the EU Digital COVID certificate, the UK NHS Coronavirus Vaccination Certificate, the UAE Vaccine Certificate, the Turkish vaccine certificate, and the United States CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card.

If travelers do not have a valid vaccination certificate, they must present a negative PCR test result that was obtained within 72 hours prior to arrival and quarantine for 14 days from their arrival in Malta.

Is PCR testing mandatory to travel to Malta?

It depends on the category of the country you are traveling from.

If you’re traveling from a “dark red” country, you must have a medical certificate for a negative RT-PCR test from within 72 hours prior to arrival in Malta.

If you’re traveling from a “red” country, you must have proof of a negative PCR test result that was obtained within 72 hours prior to arrival in Malta if you do not have a valid vaccination certificate. This requirement applies to travelers aged 12 and over.

Children under the age of 5 are exempt from the testing requirement. Children from the ages of 5 to 11 who are accompanying vaccinated parent(s) must present a negative RT-PCR test result that was obtained within 72 hours prior to arrival in Malta.

Is there a mandatory quarantine upon arrival in Malta?

There is no mandatory quarantine for travelers who arrive from “red” countries and have valid vaccination certificates.

Travelers from “red” countries who do not have valid vaccination certificates must quarantine for 14 days from their arrival in Malta.

All travelers from “dark red” countries must quarantine for 14 days from their arrival in a quarantine hotel at their own expense. They must then take a PCR test on day 11-12 of their quarantine period and may be subject to other, additional testing.

Travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage to visit Malta

Travelers are not required to have travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage to visit Malta. Nevertheless, we highly recommend purchasing some kind of travel insurance with health coverage so that you’re covered no matter what happens while you’re traveling.

Wondering which travel insurance to buy? Heymondo is a fantastic option. Their travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage is great because it offers extensive coverage for COVID-19 testing and treatment abroad while still being affordable.

Other travel restrictions for Malta during COVID-19

Malta has implemented a few other travel restrictions for visitors:

• All travelers must submit paper copies of the Public Health Travel Declaration Form and Passenger Locator Form or the digital Passenger Locator Form.

• Face masks are required in all public areas.

• Social distancing rules must be observed.

• You may need a tourist visa to visit Malta. Check if you need one below.

What’s open in Malta

Restrictions have recently been lifted in Malta, so museums and tourist sites are now open. Hotels, beaches, restaurants, and airports are also open.

Hotels that are open in Malta

Hotels and accommodations are currently open in Malta. If you’re not sure where to stay, these accommodations are our favorites:

• Radisson Blu Resort & Spa, Malta Golden Sands
• 1926 Hotel & SPA
• Hilton Malta
• Grand Hotel Excelsior
• be.HOTEL

Hotel restaurants are currently open until 2 AM.

All guests will have their temperatures checked when they enter their accommodation. They must wear masks in public areas and social distance. Hand sanitizer will be available at reception for guests to disinfect their hands. Only one person or household group can use an elevator at a time. High-contact areas will be disinfected hourly.

More information on accommodation regulations can be found here.

Beaches that are open in Malta

If you’re looking to soak up some sun, beaches in Malta are open.

Beachgoers must keep 2 meters away from others who are not in their household. Hand sanitizer will be available at the beach’s entrance for beachgoers to disinfect their hands. Beaches will be cleaned daily. Wearing masks while at the beach is recommended but not required.

You can find more details on beach regulations here.

Attractions that are open and tours that are running in Malta

Museums and cultural sites in Malta are currently closed, but they should reopen on April 26th. Tours can still operate, but according to current restrictions, group sizes in public places are limited to 2 people, which includes the tour guide, so only individual tours are possible right now.

Museums and other cultural places have the right to refuse entry to those who look visibly unwell. Visitors’ temperatures will be checked before they enter. Visitors must wear masks and keep 2 meters’ distance away from those who are not in their household. Hand sanitizer will be available at the entrance and all visitors must sanitize their hands before entering.

For tours, visitors will have their temperatures checked and will have to sanitize their hands before the tour begins. They must wear masks at all times and social distance.

More information on museums and cultural attraction regulations is available here. More details on tour regulations can be found here.

Restaurants that are open in Malta

Wondering where you’ll eat while you’re in Malta? Restaurants are currently open for indoor dining, outdoor dining, takeout, and delivery.

Restaurants are currently open until 2 AM.

Guests must wear masks when entering, exiting, and moving around the restaurant, but they can take them off while they are seated at their table. They must also provide their contact details for contact tracing purposes and disinfect their hands when they are entering and leaving the restaurant. Hand sanitizer will be available at the entrance for this purpose.

Tables will be set up so that they are 2 meters apart and chairs are 1 meter apart.

More information on restaurant regulations can be found here, here, and here.

Airports that are open in Malta

Malta International Airport is currently open.

All travelers must wear masks and abide by social distancing rules. They will also be subject to health screenings on arrival.

Where to get a PCR test in Malta – COVID-19 testing in Malta

Your country may require you to take a PCR test in order to fly back home. If you need to get a PCR test in Malta, you can find more information on where and how to get tested here and here.

Malta reopening its borders to tourists – F.A.Q.

Check out these FAQs related to Malta reopening for tourists and let us know if you have any other questions in the comments below.

Sources

We will update this guide on Malta reopening to tourism with any new developments. If you need more information on travel to Malta, you can check these official sources:

• US Embassy Updates on COVID-19 in Malta
• CDC Travel Recommendations for Malta
• General Malta Travel Advisory
• Visit Malta COVID-19 Information and Country Lists
• Government of Malta Travel Information
• Public Health Travel Declaration and Passenger Locator Forms
• Digital Passenger Locator Form
• Government of Malta Standards and Guidelines for Businesses Page
• Standards and Guidelines for Accommodations, Beaches, and Restaurants
• Standards and Guidelines for Museums and Other Cultural Places
• Standards and Guidelines for Tour Guides
• Standards and Guidelines for the Use of Face Masks
• Where and How to Get Tested for COVID-19 in Malta
• Malta Airport COVID-19 Travel Advice