Original document : https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-malta
Change description : 2019-09-03 17:01:00: Brexit update: Pensions section updated to include further details on State Pension uprating. [Brexit]
Showing diff : 2019-06-25 08:21:43 +00:00..2019-09-03 16:31:06 +00:00
Guidance
Official information British people moving to and living in Malta need to know, including BrexitEU Exit guidance, residency, healthcare and driving.
This page tells you what to do ahead of Brexit. It will be updated if anything changes, including if a deal is agreed.
You should:
YouTo cankeep also:up to date with information about EU Exit:
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:
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:
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.
You can apply for or renew your British passport from Malta.Malta
Afterget Brexit,a the rules on travel will change. Check your passport isin validtime for travelyour beforetrip, you bookmay yourneed trip.to You’llget needan toemergency renewtravel yourdocument passportor ‘emergency passport’.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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:
For advice on paying tax in Malta, you can find an English-speaking lawyer.
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.
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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
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.
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..
You may still be able to claim some UK benefits like child and disability benefits if you live in Malta. You should:
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.
You may be eligible to claim some Maltese social security benefits. You should:
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.
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:
You can also read the EU’s guidance on exchanging or renewing your driving licence.
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.
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.
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:
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.
If your child is born in Malta, would will need to register a birth abroad.
If someone dies in Malta, you can:
Find out how you can get married abroad.
Read our guidance on renting and buying property in Malta.
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.
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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.
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.
Essential actions to take before leaving Malta:
ReadYou should read our guidance on:
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.
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.
2024-07-26 09:59
New guidance on the EU’s Entry-Exit System (Passports and travel section).
2022-03-11 08:00
Important information in the ‘Working in Malta’ and ‘National insurance and social security contributions’ sections if you work in Malta, even it if it is for an employer based in the UK.
2022-03-07 14:51
Changes to the Driving in Malta section to reflect the latest Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Government of the Republic of Malta and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
2021-03-03 11:08
Coronavirus section updated with a link to guidance on vaccines
2020-09-07 12:19
Passports and travel section updated to include information on passport validity and entry requirements when travelling to other European countries from January 2021
2020-07-09 10:37
Visas and Residency section updated with information about the new residency registration scheme returning to full service.
2020-04-17 16:16
Updated 17 April 2020
2020-03-23 12:19
Updated 23 March 2019
2020-03-10 13:25
Visas and residency section updated with information on the new residency card that the Maltese government will issue.
2020-01-23 16:18
Brexit update: includes further details on passport validity, healthcare rights and State Pension uprating if the UK leaves the EU with a deal
2019-09-23 17:05
Brexit update: healthcare section updated to reflect transitional arrangements announcement
2019-09-03 17:01
Brexit update: Pensions section updated to include further details on State Pension uprating.
2019-06-25 09:17
Added new information in Healthcare section about S1 certificates.
2019-06-03 11:27
EU Exit update: added changes to 'Passport Validity (6 Month Rule) and EU Visa-Free Travel' section
2019-04-29 11:28
EU Exit update: updated information in pensions, healthcare, passports and returning to the UK sections