COVID-19: Malta Travel Restrictions

Updated: Travelling to and from Malta during the pandemic

Admin | 20 Mar 2020

Malta Visa free Travel Destinations

As we all work remotely making our worlds smaller, to contain what has become a global pandemic, public health authorities around the world have taken drastic measures, closing boarders and imposing travel restrictions across the world, making the world as we know it, even more reliant on technology to ensure business continuity.

In these unprecedented times, the Maltese Government is working very closely with the Public Health Superintendent, working tirelessly, in order to ensure that Malta is not hint to quickly by the spread of COVID-19. This has led to a number of travel restrictions, which over time extended to a list of countries where any arrivals would be obliged to 14 days of mandatory quarantine, more so fines have been increased from €1,000 to €3,000 per breech of the quarantine rules and spot checks are being conducted regularly to ensure compliance.

As the situation continues to unfold news broke that all passenger flights inbound to Malta will be suspended as from the midnight of 21st March 2020 and is expected to end on the 11th April 2020. The decision was made to help limit and control the spread of the virus.

While the ban does not apply cargo flights and humanitarian flights, repatriation flights will be taking place in order to bring back Maltese Nationals and/or Maltese Residence safely.  Needless to say, a 14-day mandatory quarantine will be imposed on all arrivals from all countries.  But what does this mean to our clients?

Closure of Maltese Airspace

The Authorities have announced the closure of the Maltese airspace as from the 20th March 2020 23:59.

From Saturday 21st March 2020, Malta International Airport will be operational to facilitate the arrival and departure of cargo, humanitarian, and repatriation flights.

Repatriation Flights TO Malta

The Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs is organising repatriation flights for:

  • Maltese Passport holders currently outside Malta.
  • Maltese Residence Permit holders currently outside Malta.

The Situation Centre

Ministry of Foreign & European Affairs

Tel +356 22042200

Email sitcen.mfea@gov.mt.

: 21 March 2020.

IMPORTANT: Proof of residency (residence card) is a prerequisite to qualify for repatriation.

Repatriation of Maltese in the UK

Maltese citizens / holders of a Maltese residence permit who are in the UK and wish to leave are requested to do so immediately while commercial flights are still in operation.

High Commission of Malta in London

Tel. +44 (0) 7836503990.

: 21 March 2020 23.59 hrs

Flight Info

For queries about your flight as well as your rights and obligations at this time, please contact your airline. Airline contact details may be found at Malta International Airport - Airlines.

Free transport (from 17 March 2020) to all inbound passengers is offered by the Malta Tourism Authority.  To book, please visit the Malta Tourism Authority office located within the airport Arrivals’ Hall upon your arrival.

Repatriation Flights FROM Malta

If you are currently in Malta and need to return to your respective country of residence, it is highly recommended you contact your respective Embassy. Meanwhile the Malta International Airport has appealed to passengers to contact their respective airlines for more information: Refer to Malta International Airport Airlines Contact Details


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Key Contacts

Dr Priscilla Mifsud Parker

Advocate, Tax Consultant, Licenced Agent, Malta

+356 22056422

Dr Antoine Saliba Haig

Advocate, Malta

+356 22056446

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