Check current flight, airport, entry, border and travel warning information that could affect a trip to Malta.
Malta Status
NORMAL
Travel to Malta is operating normally. No significant current nationwide disruption affecting flights, airport operations, entry procedures or ordinary tourism has been identified.
Current Travel Conditions
What Travellers Should Know
Malta International Airport
Malta International Airport is the country’s main passenger airport and handles scheduled flights connecting Malta with destinations across Europe and beyond.
Malta is in the Schengen Area
Malta is part of the Schengen Area. Travellers arriving from another Schengen country normally do not undergo routine immigration checks.
Entry from outside Schengen
Travellers arriving directly from outside the Schengen Area must meet Schengen external-border requirements. Visa requirements depend on nationality.
Entry/Exit System
The EU Entry/Exit System is operational at external Schengen border crossings. It records travel-document and biometric information for many non-EU nationals visiting for short stays.
90-day rule
Eligible visa-free visitors can generally remain within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Time spent in Malta counts towards this total.
ETIAS
ETIAS is not yet a general mandatory requirement. The European Commission says it is scheduled to begin in the final quarter of 2026, with the exact launch date to be announced.
Sea travel
Malta is connected by passenger ferry with Sicily. Cruise ships and other international vessels also use Malta’s ports.
Gozo
Travel between Malta and Gozo is domestic. Regular ferry services provide connections between the islands, although severe weather can occasionally affect sea crossings.
Road travel
Traffic drives on the left in Malta. Congestion can be significant in busy parts of the country, particularly around Valletta and the central urban area.
Swimming and sea conditions
Strong currents and rough seas can create hazards at some beaches. Travellers should pay attention to local warning flags and lifeguard instructions.
Latest Travel Changes
Travel operating normally
No significant current nationwide disruption affecting tourism, international flights or entry into Malta has been identified.
U.S. advisory remains Level 1
The current U.S. State Department advisory, issued in July 2026, remains Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions.
Entry/Exit System operational
The EU Entry/Exit System became fully operational across external Schengen border crossing points on 10 April 2026.
ETIAS has not yet launched
ETIAS is scheduled to begin in the final quarter of 2026. Travellers should not treat it as a current general entry requirement until its official launch.
Before You Travel
Check your airline and flight status before departure.
Check your passport and Schengen visa requirements, particularly if entering Malta directly from outside the Schengen Area.
If the Entry/Exit System applies to you, be prepared for biometric processing when crossing an external Schengen border.
Do not apply for ETIAS until the official system has launched and it is required for your journey.
If travelling between Malta and Gozo by ferry, check sailing information during periods of strong wind or rough seas.
Follow local beach warnings and lifeguard instructions when swimming.
Travel Status is designed to highlight significant changes that could affect a trip. It is not a replacement for official immigration, airline or government advice.