Malta
Entry Requirements
Is Malta a good place to travel or relocate to with dogs and/or cats?
Here are reviews and details to help you see if Malta is a good place to travel with your pets.
Official EU government website on importing pets
Official Malta government website on importing pets
Official government website on pets coming from the US to Malta
Entry Requirements to travel to Malta with a pet from Non-high Rabies Country
Also known as “Part 1” and “Part 2” listed countries
Medical Requirements:
Rabies
Before your journey, make sure your pet’s 1-year anti-rabies vaccination is up-to-date.
If it’s your pet’s first rabies vaccination or the previous one has lapsed, you must wait 21 days after the vaccine is given.
Tapeworm
For dogs, tapeworm treatment is required 24 to 120 hours (1 to 5 days) before entering Malta. The treatment must be recorded in the pet’s passport or health certificate.
Dogs coming from Norway, Finland, or Ireland are exempt
Documentation Required and How to Get it:
A veterinarian from the departing country will provide an official health certificate for your pet.
For pets coming from the US, a USDA Endorsement Office must endorse the certificate at least 10 days before your pet arrives in the European Union. A pet passport simplifies travel within the EU, as it keeps all the necessary information in one place.
If your pet will be traveling within the EU often or you plan to return regularly, obtaining a pet passport is recommended. The passport will replace the health certificate for future visits.
Before traveling to Malta, notify the Maltese Veterinary Regulation Directorate (VRD) of your pet’s arrival, providing the required information such as your pet’s microchip number, flight details, and arrival date and time. The VRD will issue a veterinary health certificate to present upon arrival.
Airlines may sometimes request a veterinarian’s certificate confirming that your pet is fit for travel.
Entry Requirements for bringing a dog or cat to Malta from High Rabies Country
Also known as “Unlisted Countries”
Medical Requirements:
Rabies
Before traveling, your pet must have a valid 1-year anti-rabies vaccination.
Additionally, if you plan to visit the European Union, your pet needs a rabies titration test, an EU-approved blood test, performed at least three months prior to your travel date. You can find a list of approved laboratories on the Europa website.
If your pet’s rabies vaccine is maintained, the initial test results will stay valid.
Tapeworm
For dogs, tapeworm treatment is required 24 to 120 hours (1 to 5 days) before entering Malta. The treatment must be recorded in the pet’s passport or health certificate.
Documentation Required to enter Malta and How to Get it:
For traveling with your pet, you need a health certificate from an official veterinarian in your home country. Check if your country has specific rules about when to obtain the certificate before your trip.
If you plan to travel extensively in Europe with your pet, consider getting a pet passport upon arrival. This passport is a special booklet containing all vital information about your pet.
Before traveling to Malta, notify the Maltese Veterinary Regulation Directorate (VRD) of your pet’s arrival, providing the required information such as your pet’s microchip number, flight details, and arrival date and time. The VRD will issue a veterinary health certificate to present upon arrival.
Airlines may occasionally require an additional document from your vet to verify that your pet is healthy enough to travel.
Additional Considerations for traveling to Malta with a pet
Microchip Requirements:
Microchips compliant with ISO standards ISO 11784 and ISO 11785 should be implanted before or at the time of the rabies vaccine.
Quarantine Requirements (if any):
Not applicable if requirements followed
Breed Restrictions:
NA
Number of Pet Restrictions for Malta:
5 pets per person
Is this country considered high-risk rabies for entry into the US?
No, it is not considered high-risk
Is this country considered high rabies for entry into EU countries?
No, a pet passport will help smooth transfers
This information was last updated February 2023. If you notice any errors or updates, please let us know by contacting us here.
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2 Reviews on “Malta”
Finding dog-friendly places to stay isn’t too hard. There are more summer options than winter
Transit, however, was hassle-free, with buses welcoming us without any issue.
All the beautiful hiking trails were dog-friendly, and we took our furry friend into numerous restaurants without any problems.
The only aspect making Malta somewhat trickier is its island location. To reach Malta, You have to fly or go on a ferry, and the in-cabin size for flying allowance for pets is limited to 20 lbs, meaning larger dogs must travel in cargo.
Additionally, a specific vet visit for Malta health approval is required for your pet passport a few days before travel for de-worming.
Even though I have an EU pet passport, it doesn’t get inspected most of the time when I cross to different countries. It did in Malta. I had to tell the vet I was coming and I had to do an extra step with a deworming treatment.
We crossed with our car from Sicily and it wasn’t too difficult.
My dog loves the beach running around and swimming. In Malta, they are a little strict about what beaches dogs can visit especially in the summer, so that’s why we visited in the spring. Dogs can’t go on the sandy beaches or swim at the “official bathing beaches”, so we felt pretty limited. The beach Bahar ic-Caghaq by Splash and Fun was probably our favorite, but it was still a little rocky. We also liked Zonqor Point in Marsascala.
Dogs can’t go in most of the historical places either, so I don’t think I would pick Malta again for a beach holiday unless I got a pet sitter.