Living in Malta

This page tells you what to do ahead of Brexit. It will be updated if anything changes, including if a deal is agreed.

EU Exit updates

YouTo cankeep also:up to date with information about EU Exit:

• essentialread information for UK nationals living in the EUEU: essential information
• factsheet sign onup Maltafor Government’semail plansalerts into casethis ofguidance
• follow athe no-dealBritish BrexitHigh Commission Malta on Facebook and Twitter
• attend one of our outreach meetings for UK nationals living in Malta and Gozo
• call the Maltese government helpline on Freephone 153

Visas and residency

Check the entry requirements for Malta.

If you plan to remain in Malta for more than 3 months, you must contact the Department of Citizenship and Expatriate Affairs to apply for residency. The Malta government will issue an identity card once you are registered.

For information on visas and residency you can:

• read the entry requirements for Malta in our travel advice
• find more information about visas and residency in Malta on the Maltese government website
• read our guidance on moving or retiring abroad

Visas and residency after Brexitthe UK leaves the EU

You mustshould registermake sure you are registered as a resident in Malta before the UK leaves the EU.

If the UK leaves the EU with a deal, your rights will be recognised if you are legally resident in Malta before the end of the implementation period on 31 December 2020.

If there are any changes to residency rules or registration processes after the UK leaves the EU, we will update this guidance as soon as information is available. You should sign up to email alerts.

If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, you will need to get a new non-EU residence permit within 2 years of the UK leaving the EU. This will protect your rights, including access to healthcare, rights to work and access to social benefits. Your current EU residency document will remain valid in the meantime. TheThis new residency document will be:

• free
• valid for 10 years
• renewable when it expires

If you arrive after Brexit,the UK leaves the EU, you will be eligible for the 10-year10 year residency permit as long as you satisfy the criteria. You will have to pay the same fee as third country nationals.

We will update this guidance when we know how and when the application process for the new residency permits will take place.

Passports and travel

You can apply for or renew your British passport from Malta.Malta

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If therethe isUK leaves the EU with a deal, nothing will change until the end of 2020. In this time you can continue to travel freely in the Schengen area with your UK passport. What happens after 2020 will form the next part of negotiations.

If there’sthe noUK dealleaves youthe EU without a deal, new travel rules will apply. You should have at least 6 months left on an adult or child passport to travel to most countries in Europe (not including Ireland).

If you renewed your current passport before the previous one expired, extra months may have been added to its expiry date. Any extra months on your passport over 10 years may not count towards the 6 months needed.

You should check your passport is valid for travel before you book your trip. You’ll need to renew your passport before travelling if you do not have enough time left on your passport.

If there’sthe noUK leaves the EU without a deal, UK nationals will not need visas for short stays elsewhere in the EU.EU. You will be able to stay up to 90 days in another EU, EEA or EFTA country, within a 180 day period. You should retain evidence of travel (such(e.g. as train and plane tickets), in case these are requested by national authorities. If you hold a residence permit from an EU, EEA or EFTA country, you will be able to transit through other EU, EEA or EFTA countries to reach your country of residence. We will update this guidance as more information becomes available.

If you are legally resident in Malta, you should carry your residency permit with you when exiting or entering Malta after Brexit.the UK leaves the EU.

Healthcare

ReadSee our travel advice for Malta.

ReadYou can read the NHS guidance about healthcare for UK nationals living in and visiting Malta.

If you are resident in Malta, you should not usebe using a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) from the UK to access healthcare in Malta.

If you are legally resident in Malta, you should check if you are eligible to apply for the Maltese RHA Entitlement Card through the Maltese government website. This lets you access healthcare services in Malta.

RHA Entitlement Card holders are not entitled to long-term care and treatment outside Malta,Malta and are not eligible for the European Health Insurance Card from Malta. The Maltese government has more information on RHA cards.cards.

YourYou RHAcan Entitlement Card allows you to register at your nearest health centre on the Maltese government website and make GP appointments. You will need to bring an identity card or passport.

If you are visiting Malta for 30 days or less, you mustmay present your UK passport to access healthcare services.

Applying for healthcare as a UK state pensioner or if you receiveare in receipt of a long-term sickness benefit

If you receiveare in receipt of a UK State Pension, you must request an S1 certificate (previously E121) from the Overseas Healthcare Service on +44 191 218 1999. If you receiveare in receipt of an exportable DWP benefit,benefit you can request an S1 form from the office which pays your exportable benefit.

Visiting the UK as an S1 holder

If you visit the UK whilst residing abroad and require medical treatment you mustwill need to provide a copy of your S1 certificate. In some EU member states the S1 certificate is requested and retained in order for you to receive healthcare. If you do not have a copy or need to get a new certificate,certificate you mustshould contact the Overseas Healthcare Service on +44 191 218 1999.

Healthcare after BrexitEU exit

If therethe isUK leaves the EU with a deal, your current rights on access to healthcare in Malta will remain the same until the31 endDecember of2020, the implementation period, as long as you remain a resident in Malta.

If therethe isUK noleaves the EU without a deal, you will continue to be able to access healthcare as now. This includes those who currently access healthcare through the S1 form.

If you are visiting Malta for up to 30 days, you will still be able to access healthcare with a UK-issued EHIC. We are currently working on more healthcare agreements with the Maltese government. You can read the Maltese Government factsheet on the UK leaving the EU without a deal for more information.

If you plan to visit Malta after the UK leaves the EU, you should continue to buy comprehensive travel insurance to ensure your healthcare access is protected.

In an emergency, go directly to Mater Dei Hospital or Gozo General Hospital.Hospital.

You can find English-speaking doctors in Malta. You mustshould also check your prescriptions are legal in Malta.

Working in Malta

If you are registered as a resident in Malta, you have the right to work in Malta. You can read our guidance on working in another EU country.

When looking for work, you may need to:

• apply for a UK criminal records certificate
• visit the Maltese government website to check if your qualifications are recognised in Malta
• provide a Maltese conduct certificate

Working in Malta after Brexitthe UK leaves the EU

If thereyou isare planning to start a business, provide a service, or do a job in a regulated profession after the UK leaves the EU, you should read our further guidance.

If the UK leaves the EU with a deal, your right to work will stay the same until the end of the implementation period.

If there’sthe noUK leaves the EU without a deal, if you have the new non-EU residency document,document you will be able to work in Malta and will not need a work visa or employment licence. Read the guidance on providing services after Brexit if you’re planning to start a business, provide a service, or do a job in a regulated profession after the UK leaves the EU.

Money and tax

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 read guidance about:

• tax if you leave the UK to live abroad
• tax on your UK income if you live abroad
• tax in Malta on the Maltese Inland Revenue Department website

For advice on paying tax in Malta, you can find an English-speaking lawyer.

National Insurance

FindYou outmay ifbe youable canto pay National Insurance while abroad in order to protect your UK State Pension and entitlement to other benefits and allowances.

Money and tax after Brexitthe UK leaves the EU

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Pensions

You will need to tell the UK government offices that deal with your benefits, pension and tax if you are moving or retiring abroad.abroad

If you retire in Malta, you can claim:

• your UK State Pension or new UK State Pension. ContactPlease contact the International Pensions Centre to claim

• your Maltese and UK State Pension from Malta’s Department of Social Security and the Internationalinternational Relationsrelations Unitunit

• pensions from working abroad, if you have worked in other EU countries

Life certificates for UK State Pensions

If you get a ‘life certificate’ from the UK Pension Service,Service, you need to respond as soon as possible. Your payments may be suspended if you don’t.

Pensions after Brexitthe UK leaves the EU

The UK government will continue to pay athe UK State Pension to those eligible inafter the EU after Brexit. Your UK Stateleaves Pension will be uprated in April 2020, 2021 and 2022 if you live in the EU, EEA or Switzerland.EU.

If therethe isUK leaves the EU with a deal and you work and pay social security contributions in Malta, you will still be able to add your previous UK social security contributions towards your Maltese pension. This will happen even if you claim your pension after the end of the implementation period.

If there’sthe noUK leaves the EU without a deal, the Maltese government will recognise pension contributions that were made in the UK before Brexit.the ReadUK leaves the EU. You should read the Maltese governmentgovernment’s factsheet for more information on pensions.pensions.

AlsoIf the UK leaves the EU without a deal, you can also read our guidance on pensions in a no-deal Brexit..

Benefits

You may still be able to claim some UK benefits like child and disability benefits if you live in Malta. You should:

• read our guidance on which benefits you can claim if you live abroad
• use our tool to check which benefits you can claim while you’re abroad

If you’re abroad for more than 4 weeks, many income-related benefits such as pension credit and housing benefit cannot be paid to you.

You can request proof of the time you’ve worked in the UK from HMRC if you are asked for this.

Maltese benefits

You may be eligible to claim some Maltese social security benefits. You should:

• read the EU’s guidance on claiming benefits in Malta
• contact Malta’s Department of Social Security, and the Internationalinternational Relationsrelations Unitunit

Benefits after Brexitthe UK leaves the EU

The UK government will continue to pay child benefits, and disability benefits to those eligible in the EU after Brexit.the UK leaves the EU.

If therethe isUK leaves the EU with a deal and you work and pay social security contributions in Malta, your UK social security contributions will be taken into account when applying for Maltese contributions-based benefits. This will happen even if you claim contributions-based benefits after the end of the implementation period.

If there’sthe noUK leaves the EU without a deal, the Maltese government have confirmed that they will continue to take periods of work in the UK before Brexitthe UK leaves the EU into account when claiming Maltese contributions-based benefits. We will continue to update our guidance on this.

ReadIf the UK leaves the EU without a deal, you can read our guidance on benefits and pensions ifin there’sa no deal scenario.

Driving in Malta

If you are resident in Malta, you should exchange your UK licence for a Maltese one by completing Transport Malta’s DRV30 Form.

If you are resident in Malta, you will not be able to renew a lost, stolen or expired licence with the UK Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). You should therefore exchange your licence for a Maltese one before your UK licence expires.

For information on driving in Malta, you can read our guidance on:

• what you need to drive abroad
• driving rules in Malta

You can also read the EU’s guidance on exchanging or renewing your driving licence.

Bringing a UK-registered vehicle to Malta

ReadYou should read our guidance on taking a vehicle out of the UK.UK.

Once you’re resident in Malta, your imported car must have Maltese number plates.plates.

ReadYou can also read the European Union’s guidance on car registration and taxes in Malta.Malta. You may be exempt from some of these taxes. If so you will need certificates of exemption.

Driving in Malta after Brexitthe UK leaves the EU

If therethe isUK leaves the EU with a deal, driving licence rules will stay the same during the implementation period.

If there’sthe noUK leaves the EU without a deal, your UK driving licence will be valid for up to a year after you register as a resident in Malta. A UK driving licencelicences can be exchanged for a local Maltese one without having to retake your test.

You will not need an International Driving Permit if you are visiting Malta.

We will update this guide when more information becomes available.

Read our guidance on driving in the EU after the UK leaves the EU.

Voting

If you’re resident in Malta you can vote in local municipal and European Parliamentary elections.elections.

You may be able to vote in some UK elections. You can:

• check if you are able to vote

• register as an overseas voter

Voting after Brexitthe UK leaves the EU

If you are resident in Malta, you can continue to vote in local municipal elections after Brexit.the UK leaves the EU. This will include the local elections in May 2019.

You will no longer be eligible to vote in European Parliament elections after Brexit.the UK leaves the EU. We are seeking arrangements with Malta to secure UK nationals’ right to vote in Malta. We will update this guidance if more information becomes available.

Births, deaths and getting married

If your child is born in Malta, would will need to register a birth abroad.

If someone dies in Malta, you can:

• read our guidance on what to do after someone dies abroad
• read guidance for UK nationals on bereavement information in Malta
• find a list of English-speaking funeral directors in Malta

Find out how you can get married abroad.

Accommodation and buying property

Read our guidance on renting and buying property in Malta.

Accommodation and buying property after Brexitthe UK leaves the EU

There willmay be minimum value limits when purchasing property in Malta as a third country national. You will need to apply for an Acquisition of Immovable Property [AIP] Permit.Permit.

ReadYou can read the Maltese government’s guidance on buying property for more information. You may also wish to seek legal advice.

Pets

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current EU pet passport. If you’re travelling with your pet for the first time,time youyou’ll musthave to visit your vet to get a pet passport.

Read guidance on returning your cat, dog or ferret to the UK. For moving pet horses and other equines read guidance on export horses and ponies: special rules.

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

Essential actions to take before leaving Malta:

• contact the Identity Management Office to cancel your residency permit
• contact the Social Security Department to end any benefits
• contact the Malta Inland Revenue to complete any tax-related formalities
• contact the Automated Revenue Management Services (ARMS) to cancel utilities
• contact Transport Malta to organise vehicle export
• inform your child’s school you’re leaving well in advance, so they can organise any documents the new school needs

ReadYou should read our guidance on:

• access to benefits and services in the UK in a no deal
• bringing your family to the UK
• access to higher education, 19+ further education and apprenticeship funding
• importing vehicles back to the UK
• bringing your pet back to the UK
• checking your tax status after returning to the UK

To move your pension to the UK, contact the International Pension Centre.

If you receive healthcare in Malta through the S1 form, you must contact the Overseas Healthcare Team on +44 191 218 1999 to make sure your S1 is cancelled at the right time.

Disclaimer

This information is provided as a guide only. Definitive information should be obtained from the Maltese authorities. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) will not be liable for any inaccuracies in this information.