Malta – Importing a Pet

Does Malta allow pets to be imported, and are there restrictions on which animals are permitted?

If you are planning an extended stay or permanent move to Malta, you may bring your pets with you, provided you allow adequate time to work through the necessary preparations. EU rules governing the movement of companion animals cover domestic dogs, cats, and ferrets, including those serving as assistance or service animals. These three species fall most clearly under the EU Pet Travel Scheme, of which Malta is a full member.

Owners bringing other types of animals — such as birds, reptiles, amphibians, rabbits, or rodents — will encounter a distinct set of rules. The specific requirements depend considerably on the species involved. While some animals require primarily vaccination records and documentation, others may be subject to individual evaluation by the relevant authorities. Anyone intending to bring an exotic or unusual species should contact Malta’s Veterinary Regulation Directorate as early as possible.

Malta does not operate a breed-specific dangerous dog regime or impose blanket bans based on breed. Legal responsibility for any injury or damage caused by a dog rests with its owner. That said, there are some restrictions worth noting for particular animal types. Wolf hybrids and Savannah or Bengal cats may not be imported under standard pet regulations unless they are at least five generations removed from their wild ancestor. Bringing wolf hybrids or Savannah cats into the country requires prior consultation with the relevant animal health authority before any travel is arranged.

Malta introduced “The Prohibition of Breeding and Keeping Non-Pedigree Bully Dogs Regulations 2024,” forming part of the Treatment Act Appropriateness of Animals (Chapter 439). This legislation was not introduced out of concerns about aggression — bully breeds, like any other type of dog, can be calm and well-behaved. Rather, it was driven by disproportionately high rates of abandonment and the resulting strain on rescue shelters. Importing a purebred pedigree bully breed dog continues to be permitted, but owners should verify the current position with the Commissioner for Animal Welfare before making arrangements to travel.

What vaccinations and health requirements do pets need before entering Malta?

The European Union operates a consistent framework for the non-commercial movement of dogs, cats, and ferrets between member states. The essential components are verified identification of the animal, a current rabies vaccination, and the appropriate accompanying travel document. Malta applies this framework in full but, given its status as an island, approaches animal importation with particular thoroughness.

As an island nation, Malta is especially vigilant about preventing the introduction of disease, since containment following an outbreak would be far more challenging than on the European mainland. Documents that satisfy requirements in another EU country may not, in every instance, meet the specific standards applied in Malta.

The sequence in which health preparations are carried out is critically important. The microchip is the identification element that authorities use to confirm that the animal in front of them matches the paperwork being presented. A frequent error is administering the rabies vaccine before fitting the microchip — when this happens, the vaccination is rendered invalid and must be given again from scratch. This can push back travel plans by weeks or make a planned departure date completely unworkable.

A pet must be at least 12 weeks old before receiving its initial rabies vaccination. Following this primary vaccination, a minimum 21-day period must elapse before the animal may travel, as this allows sufficient time for protective immunity to develop. As of 2025, this 21-day rule remains in force — confirm the current position with the Veterinary Regulation Directorate before finalising travel dates.

For animals originating in countries classified as “unlisted” by the EU — those deemed to carry a higher rabies risk — an antibody titre test is also required. The rabies vaccine must be given at 12 weeks of age, and for those travelling from an unlisted country, a blood test is additionally necessary. The sample must be collected by an authorised veterinarian at least 30 days after the vaccination date, and the result must demonstrate a neutralising antibody level of 0.5 IU/ml or above in a test conducted by an approved laboratory. Travel to Malta cannot take place until at least three months have passed from the date the blood sample was taken. As of 2025, this three-month window is a fixed requirement — always confirm with the official authority before booking.

Dogs travelling to Malta face a further requirement that is unique to this destination. Any dog entering Malta after travelling through or from within the EU must receive a tapeworm treatment from a veterinarian between one and five days prior to arrival. The product used must be effective against Echinococcus multilocularis; praziquantel is the recommended active ingredient. Malta maintains freedom from endemic occurrence of this parasite and enforces compliance with this rule very strictly. Cats and ferrets are not subject to this particular treatment.

Beyond the legally mandated requirements, it makes good practical sense to keep routine booster vaccinations current — such as distemper and parvovirus for dogs, and panleukopenia for cats. These are not formal conditions of entry but are important for your pet’s health, particularly during the summer months or when using boarding facilities in Malta.

What is the application process for importing a pet into Malta, and what paperwork is required?

Every step required to bring a dog, cat, or ferret to Malta must be completed in the country of origin, and each must be carried out in the correct sequence. Attempting to shortcut or reorder the process risks refusal at the point of entry. The steps below apply to non-commercial movements — that is, a pet accompanying its owner.

1. Microchip your pet. Your pet must be fitted with a non-encrypted, 15-digit microchip meeting ISO standard 11784 or Annex A to ISO standard 11785. Implantation should be performed by a veterinarian, a veterinary hospital, or a suitably trained nurse. This step must be completed before any rabies vaccination is given.
2. Vaccinate against rabies. Once the microchip is in place, an authorised veterinarian can administer the rabies vaccination. For the vaccination to be legally valid, the microchip must already have been implanted. The vet will record the batch number, the date administered, and their own details in the pet passport or health certificate.
3. Observe the 21-day waiting period (or arrange a titre test where required). After a first rabies vaccination, you must allow 21 days to pass before travelling. If the animal is coming from an EU-unlisted country, a titre blood test must also be arranged — the sample taken no earlier than 30 days after vaccination — followed by a three-month waiting period from the date of sampling before travel to Malta is permitted. As of 2025, these timeframes remain fixed — verify with the relevant authority before booking.
4. Obtain the appropriate travel document. The documentation your pet needs to enter Malta must include evidence of microchip implantation, a valid rabies vaccination, and a rabies titre test result where required by the country of origin. The correct document will be one of the following: an official EU or Northern Ireland pet passport (for EU or NI residents); a government-issued pet passport from a Part 1 listed third country; or an Animal Health Certificate for those arriving from Great Britain. The Animal Health Certificate must be issued by a licensed veterinarian no more than 10 days before travel to Malta.
5. Arrange tapeworm treatment for dogs. This treatment must be given between 24 and 48 hours before checking in with the approved carrier at the airport or harbour for the journey to Malta, and it is required on every occasion the dog enters the country. A veterinarian must record the treatment in the pet passport, specifying the products used along with the date and time in 24-hour format.
6. Submit a pre-arrival notification. An online pre-notification is required for both commercial and non-commercial movements into Malta. This is submitted to the Veterinary Regulation Directorate through the Maltese government services portal at servizz.gov.mt. Submit this well ahead of your travel date to allow time for review.
7. Present all documents on arrival. Entry into the EU with a pet is only permitted through a designated travellers’ point of entry. On arrival, you must present yourself and your pet to the competent authorities, who will verify the documents and confirm the animal’s identity. Cats and dogs undergo examination by licensed veterinarians at this point. If the animal shows signs of transmissible disease, the costs of any further health investigations will be borne by the owner.

Officials scrutinise not only whether documents appear formally complete, but whether every step was taken in the right order and within the required timeframes. Always bring original documents — copies or digital versions are not accepted at the border.

Does Malta require pets to undergo quarantine on arrival?

Pets that arrive in Malta with all requirements properly fulfilled will not be placed in quarantine. If an animal does not meet the entry conditions, it will either be quarantined (where facilities permit), returned to the country from which it departed, or euthanised as a last resort. All resulting costs are the responsibility of the importer.

This approach is consistent with the approach taken across the EU: animals that comply face no quarantine, while non-compliance carries serious consequences. This stands in contrast to systems such as Australia’s, where even fully compliant pets from approved countries must typically undergo a mandatory minimum stay in a government quarantine facility. Malta does not impose automatic quarantine on animals that arrive with complete and correct paperwork.

However, Malta does maintain a quarantine facility for dogs at Luqa, and this is activated under certain specific circumstances. If a dog arrives without valid tapeworm or tick treatment, or if the products used do not contain praziquantel and/or fipronil as required, the dog will be transferred to the Small Animal Quarantine facility in Luqa and held there until 48 hours after the correct treatment has been administered. This is one of the most common reasons for unplanned quarantine stays — and one of the most straightforward to prevent through proper preparation.

Pets that depart Malta to travel to other EU Member States and subsequently return — and pets from Member States that enter Malta with a pet passport but do not fully satisfy the requirements of the Pet Travel Scheme — may also be subject to a defined period of quarantine. This is particularly relevant for owners who intend to travel regularly between Malta and other countries once they have settled on the island.

For pets originating in unlisted countries, the titre test process functions as a pre-departure waiting period rather than any form of quarantine on arrival. The sequence — vaccination, followed by a blood test at least 30 days later, followed by a three-month wait from the sampling date — must be completed before travel. Provided all conditions are met, the animal undergoes a documentation and identity check upon arrival and is then released to its owner without being detained.

Is Malta part of any international pet travel scheme?

Malta adheres to EU regulations governing pet imports and cross-border movement. As a member state of the European Union, Malta is a full participant in the EU Pet Travel Scheme, which establishes a shared framework for the non-commercial movement of dogs, cats, and ferrets between member states and certain approved third countries.

The European pet passport is a standardised identification document required for travel between EU countries. It is available only to pet owners who are resident within the EU. The passport records a description of the animal and its identification details — including microchip or tattoo number — together with health information such as rabies vaccination records and the contact details of both the owner and the issuing veterinarian.

If you are travelling to Malta from within the EU or from an approved listed third country, an EU pet passport (for EU residents) or an equivalent government-issued passport from a recognised country serves as the primary travel document. This must be accompanied by evidence of a valid microchip, a current rabies vaccination, and — where the country of origin requires it — a satisfactory rabies titre test result.

For those relocating to Malta from Great Britain (England, Scotland, or Wales), the situation changed following the UK’s departure from the EU. UK-issued pet passports are no longer valid as an equivalent to an EU pet passport. Owners moving from Great Britain or other non-EU countries must instead obtain an Animal Health Certificate (AHC), issued by an authorised veterinarian within 10 days before arrival in Malta. Unlike the EU pet passport, the AHC is a single-use document valid for one journey only.

Where possible, flights to Malta should be direct or should transit only through a listed third country or another EU Member State. If a pet transits through a country classified as unlisted, a Transit Declaration will be required, confirming that the animal had no contact with rabies-susceptible wildlife and was kept secured within the aircraft or airport throughout the transit.

Do pet owners need to register or licence their pet after arriving in Malta?

After your pet arrives in Malta, there are continuing obligations — particularly for dog owners — that must be met. Malta applies its registration requirements rigorously, and owners who fail to comply risk facing substantial penalties.

Microchipping is compulsory for all dogs over four months of age, and every dog must be both licensed and registered on the government livestock database. This requirement extends to microchipped dogs relocating to Malta from abroad. Microchipping and registration are carried out by a veterinarian, who implants the chip and enters the details into the system. The licence is subsequently mailed to the dog owner’s address.

The microchip must be fitted by a warranted veterinarian, who will also record the dog’s and owner’s details in the Malta Livestock National Database. This registration automatically constitutes the dog’s licence, and confirmation is sent by post to the owner’s place of residence. If your dog already carries a compliant ISO microchip from another country, a local veterinarian can update the national database to reflect your Maltese address.

Licensing, microchipping, and registration fees are set by Maltese legislation. Reduced fees apply for neutered dogs. Check the official government website for current fee levels, as these may be updated from time to time.

Dogs must be kept on a lead in public and must wear an identification tag displaying the owner’s contact number. Dogs are not permitted on sandy beaches or in designated bathing areas, though rocky beaches are generally accessible. Owners are required to remove dog faeces and must carry a suitable bag at all times — failure to clean up or to carry a bag may attract a fine.

Each dog requires its own individual licence, regardless of how many dogs an owner keeps. The Police Commissioner may place limits on the number of dogs that may be licensed within residential areas. Dogs must also display a tag or badge in public places showing the contact information of the owner or keeper.

There is currently no nationally mandated registration requirement for cats in Malta, though microchipping is widely practised and actively encouraged by animal welfare organisations. It is advisable to check with your local council or the Animal Welfare Directorate regarding any area-specific requirements that may be in place where you are living.

Are there any additional rules or costs expats should be aware of when bringing a pet to Malta?

Number of pets per person: All pets must arrive in Malta either alongside their owner or within five days of the owner’s own arrival. A single person may transport no more than five pets under non-commercial rules, unless documentary evidence of participation in a recognised competition or show is provided, and the animals must be over six months of age. The movement must not involve adoption, sale, or any change of ownership. Transporting more than five animals, or moving pets for commercial purposes, triggers a separate and more demanding set of requirements and fees.

Port of entry: Pets entering Malta by air from outside the European Union must arrive through the international airport at Luqa. There is no discretion on this point — pets cannot be brought in through unofficial or non-designated entry points. Direct travel to Malta is preferable; where transit is unavoidable, it should be routed through another EU Member State. If transit takes place through a country with a high rabies risk, a Transit Declaration will be required, confirming the animal had no exposure to potentially infected wildlife and remained contained within the aircraft or terminal at all times.

Airline policies: Each airline and shipping company operates its own rules regarding the carriage of animals. You must check directly with your chosen carrier to understand their specific requirements. Small pets may be allowed to travel in the cabin on some airlines, while larger animals are typically carried as cargo in the hold. Some carriers may also request a brief fitness-to-fly statement in addition to the legally required documents. Policies and charges vary widely between carriers and are entirely separate from Malta’s government import conditions.

Minimum age for import: The minimum age for bringing a pet to Malta from EU Member States or Part 1 or Part 2 listed third countries is 15 weeks. For animals originating in unlisted countries, the minimum age is seven months. These thresholds reflect the time needed to complete all required vaccinations and mandatory waiting periods.

Inspection and veterinary costs: All costs associated with veterinary checks, document preparation, titre testing, and any quarantine that may be triggered are borne by the owner. For commercial movements originating outside the EU, you should also liaise with Malta Customs. Check official sources for any current border inspection fees, as these are subject to revision. Contact Malta Customs at customs.gov.mt for up-to-date information.

Transit through other EU countries: A non-commercial EU health certificate permits travel within the EU for up to four months, provided the rabies vaccination has not expired. If a dog enters the EU through another member state before proceeding to Malta, the tapeworm treatment must be administered by an EU-based veterinarian between one and five days before the dog arrives in Malta. This requirement applies even if tapeworm treatment was given prior to departure from the country of origin, since the treatment must fall specifically within the 24–120-hour window before Malta arrival.

Where can expats find official information about importing a pet into Malta?

Pet import regulations are subject to periodic revision. The authoritative sources listed below are the most dependable places to verify current requirements before you travel. Consult these directly rather than relying on secondary summaries, including the present article.

• Veterinary Regulation Directorate (Animal Health and Welfare Directorate — AHWD), Malta: This is the principal authority responsible for overseeing the importation of pets into Malta. Their official guidance document, Travel with your Pet to Malta, can be accessed at ahwd.gov.mt. This is the most authoritative source available for health requirements and documentation relating to dogs, cats, and ferrets. Oversight of pet import regulations in Malta sits within the Ministry for Sustainable Development, The Environment and Climate Change, specifically through the Fish and Farming Regulation and Control department and its Veterinary Regulation Directorate.
• Pets Arrival Notification portal: All owners are required to submit a pre-arrival notification prior to travelling. This is completed online via the Maltese government services portal at servizz.gov.mt. The portal handles both commercial and non-commercial movements.
• Malta Customs: For questions relating to import procedures, declarations, and commercial movements, consult Malta Customs. Owners moving animals commercially from outside the EU should contact Malta Customs directly.
• European Commission — Your Europe: For a thorough overview of the EU-wide framework for pet travel, the European Commission’s portal at europa.eu sets out the applicable legal rules and what is required when moving between EU countries or arriving from non-EU countries.
• Commissioner for Animal Welfare, Malta: For enquiries about particular breeds, regulations around bully breeds, and obligations relating to animal welfare after your pet has arrived, visit commissioneranimalwelfare.gov.mt.

To give your pet the best chance of entering Malta without difficulty, confirm the specific requirements that apply to your situation well before your planned move. Approved country lists, fees, and regulatory conditions can all change, and the repercussions of arriving with incomplete or incorrect documentation are severe.

Frequently asked questions

What happens if my pet arrives in Malta without the correct paperwork?

If your pet does not pass the compliance checks on arrival, the authorities may send the animal back to the country it came from, hold it in quarantine until it meets EU health standards, or — if neither course of action is viable — the animal may be euthanised. Every cost arising from this process is the owner’s responsibility. The only reliable way to avoid this outcome is to ensure all documentation is complete and correct before leaving your home country.

Can I bring a rescue or adopted animal into Malta?

Yes, but rescued animals are subject to exactly the same health and documentation requirements as any other pet — no exemptions are made for animals with a rescue background. If the animal’s vaccination history is unknown or its microchip records are incomplete, you will need to begin the entire process from the start, including fitting a new microchip, administering a rabies vaccination, and in some cases completing a titre test along with its associated waiting period. Contact the Veterinary Regulation Directorate at the earliest opportunity if you are in this situation.

How long does the full process take from start to finish?

The answer depends largely on where you are moving from. Pets travelling from EU member states or approved listed countries with valid, current vaccinations may be ready to travel within four to eight weeks. For pets coming from unlisted countries that carry a higher rabies risk, the process is considerably longer: the animal must be vaccinated first, then a blood sample taken no sooner than 30 days after vaccination, and travel may not take place until at least three months after the sampling date. In total, the minimum preparation time from an unlisted country can easily exceed five to six months — begin planning as far in advance as possible.

Are the rules different for cats versus dogs?

The fundamental requirements — microchipping, rabies vaccination, and appropriate travel documentation — are the same for both cats and dogs. The most significant distinction is that dogs must undergo the mandatory Echinococcus multilocularis (tapeworm) treatment before arriving in Malta, whereas cats are exempt from this requirement. Dogs are also subject to stricter minimum age thresholds when travelling from unlisted countries. Overall, bringing a cat into Malta involves a somewhat simpler administrative process than bringing a dog.

Does my pet need to be registered with a local authority once in Malta?

Microchipping is compulsory for all dogs over four months of age, and every dog must be licensed and entered into the government livestock database — this applies equally to dogs arriving from abroad that are already microchipped. Owners whose dogs are not microchipped may face significant fines. For cats, there is currently no national mandatory registration requirement, although microchipping is strongly recommended by animal welfare bodies. Always check with the Animal Welfare Directorate for the most current rules.

Can my pet travel to Malta in the cabin of an aircraft?

This depends entirely on the policies of your chosen airline or shipping company, which set their own rules independently of Maltese government import requirements. Some carriers allow small dogs and cats to travel in the cabin in an approved container, while larger animals must be transported in the cargo hold. Restrictions may also vary by route. You must satisfy both the airline’s conditions and Malta’s official entry requirements — meeting one alone is not sufficient.

What is the difference between a pet passport and an Animal Health Certificate?

A European pet passport is a standardised document used for travel between EU countries, available exclusively to owners who are resident within the EU. It records the animal’s identity details alongside its health history, including rabies vaccination records. An Animal Health Certificate (AHC), by contrast, is a single-use document issued by a veterinarian within 10 days before you enter the EU, and is required when travelling from a non-EU country such as Great Britain. Once you are within the EU, the AHC is valid for up to four months, provided the rabies vaccination has not lapsed. If you are an EU resident, your veterinarian can issue or update an EU pet passport on your behalf.

Are there any restrictions on how many pets I can bring to Malta?

All pets must arrive in Malta with their owner or within five days of the owner’s arrival. A maximum of five pets may be transported under non-commercial rules, provided the animals are over six months old and the purpose of the movement is not adoption, sale, or transfer of ownership. An exception exists if documentary evidence of participation in a competition or show is available. Transporting more than five animals, or being unable to travel alongside them within that five-day window, means the movement will be classified as commercial and will require a more extensive set of documentation. Contact the Veterinary Regulation Directorate for guidance if this applies to your situation.