Malta
Malta is a small Mediterranean island nation south of Sicily, an EU member since 2004 and Schengen Area and Eurozone member. The world's tenth-smallest country, Malta consists of three inhabited islands (Malta, Gozo, Comino) with strategic location between Europe and Africa. A former British colony (independent 1964), Malta is one of only two EU countries where English is an official language (with Ireland), making it highly accessible for English speakers. Valletta, the capital built by Knights Hospitaller (Knights of St. John) in the 16th century, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site fortified city. Malta has remarkably dense history - successively occupied by Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs, Normans, Knights Hospitaller, French, and British. Visitors are drawn to Valletta's Baroque architecture and St. John's Co-Cathedral, Mdina medieval fortified city (“Silent City”), Blue Grotto sea caves, Gozo island's Azure Window (collapsed 2017) and Ġgantija temples (older than Stonehenge), Comino's Blue Lagoon, megalithic temples (UNESCO, among the world's oldest free-standing structures), Game of Thrones filming locations, English language schools, diving (wrecks and clear water), and Mediterranean beaches. Malta offers European culture, English accessibility, history, and year-round sunshine.
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Visa Requirements for Malta
As a Schengen Area member, Malta follows standard Schengen visa policies. EU/EEA/Swiss citizens can enter with just a valid ID card or passport and stay indefinitely with full freedom of movement rights. Citizens of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and many other countries can enter visa-free for tourism or business stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period across the entire Schengen Area. Those requiring Schengen visas should apply through Maltese embassies or consulates (or any Schengen embassy), submitting completed applications, passport photographs, travel itinerary, proof of accommodation, travel insurance meeting the Schengen minimum coverage (check the current threshold), and proof of financial means. Malta welcomes over 2.5 million visitors annually (5x its population). Processing typically takes 15 calendar days. Malta is popular for English language learning stays - students on long-term language courses need student visas. Malta's combination of EU membership, Schengen access, English language, and Mediterranean climate makes it attractive for both tourism and language education.
Visa types
Visa-Free Entry (Schengen)
For tourism, business, or short stays for US, UK, Canada, Australia, and other Schengen visa-exempt nationalities.
EU/EEA/Swiss Entry
For EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens for any purpose including tourism, work, study, or residence.
Schengen Visa (Type C)
For short-term stays for tourism, business, cultural events, or language courses under 90 days for nationalities requiring Schengen visa.
National Visa (Type D) / Student Visa
For stays exceeding 90 days including long-term English language courses, work, or residence in Malta.
Guides
Malta packs 7,000 years of history, three UNESCO World Heritage Sites, world-class diving, and a thriving English-language school industry into an archipelago smaller than the Isle of Wight. Valletta — the fortified Baroque capital built by the Knights Hospitaller — is one of the most concentrated historic cityscapes in Europe. Gozo offers rural tranquillity, megalithic temples older than the pyramids, and the Azure Window's successor reefs. Comino's Blue Lagoon is a turquoise postcard. The warm Mediterranean climate (300+ sunny days), English as an official language, and direct flights from most European capitals make Malta one of the most accessible island destinations on the continent.
Malta travel guide →
The full guide — the Knights' capital, temples older than the pyramids and the three-island plan.
Money in Malta →
Euros across three islands — card coverage, Gozo and Comino cash reality, and honest costs.
Eating in Malta →
Beyond the resort menu — pastizzi at any hour, the rabbit stew that is genuinely national, Gozo's cheeselets.
Getting around Malta →
The Tallinja card, the Gozo ferry — and why Comino is reached a genuinely different way.
Health & safety in Malta →
A safe EU destination — reciprocal healthcare, tap-water taste, jellyfish season and shade-poor old towns.
Embassies & missions
Accredited missions for Malta
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa for Malta?
Citizens of the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and many other countries can visit visa-free for up to 90 days within any 180-day period, valid across the whole Schengen Area. Other nationalities need a Schengen visa (Type C) through a Maltese embassy or any Schengen embassy.
Is Malta a good destination for non-Italian, non-French speakers?
Very much so — Malta is one of only two EU countries (with Ireland) where English is an official language, a legacy of British colonial rule. Signs are bilingual and English is spoken everywhere.
How many days do I need for Malta?
Four to five days covers Valletta, Mdina, a Gozo day trip and a beach or diving day — the whole archipelago is only 316 km², smaller than the Isle of Wight, so distances are short.
Is Malta good for diving?
Yes — Malta, Gozo and Comino rank among Europe's top diving destinations, with 30+ metre visibility, dramatic wrecks and reef walls. The Blue Hole on Gozo and the Blue Grotto are the standout sites.
Can I combine a trip to Malta with an English course?
It's a genuinely popular option — Malta is the third most popular destination in Europe for English-language study after the UK and Ireland, with over 40 accredited schools and a lower cost of living than either.
Does Malta use the euro?
Yes — Malta is both an EU and Eurozone member, so no currency exchange is needed if you're arriving from another euro-area country.
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Treat this Visaja page as your starting point: verify the current rules directly with the official source before you submit an application.