When moving to Malta, you are required to apply for a Maltese ID Card within three months of arrival. This guide outlines the smooth and time-efficient process, providing a step-by-step approach to ensure you’re well-prepared. Since Malta is highly digital, obtaining the ID card is straightforward and involves minimal waiting. Below, you’ll find the answers to frequently asked questions and helpful advice to streamline the application process.
The Maltese ID Card certifies your residence in Malta. Many services in Malta are digital and require the Maltese Residence Card for access. Without it, certain services may be unavailable or costlier. Here’s what it enables you to do:
If you plan to stay in Malta for more than three months, the ID Card is mandatory.
EU Citizens: Use the side entrance of the Identity Malta head office in Msida. British nationals and non-EU citizens: Use the main entrance.
Once your residence application is approved, you’ll receive a temporary certificate immediately. The agency will also take your photo. Typically, you’ll be informed within two weeks to two months when your ID Card is ready for pickup.
Address: Valley Road, Msida, MSD 9020
Hours: Mon – Fri: 07:15 – 14:30
EU Citizens: [email protected]
Non-EU Citizens: [email protected]
Brexit-related queries: [email protected]
Students: [email protected]
Single permits: [email protected]
Free movement: [email protected]
Phone: (+356) 2590 4000
General inquiries: [email protected]
Website: identitymalta.com
Appointment Booking: identita.gov.mt/booking-system/
Anyone aged 16 or over living in Malta can apply for the ID Card. As an EU citizen, you have freedom of movement within the EU. The Maltese government expects immigrants to be able to ‘support themselves’. If you work or receive a pension or annuity, you have a fixed income. As a student or ‘long-term holidaymaker’ you need a minimum capital or sufficient additional income.
After three months, the Maltese government may ask you to apply for the ID Card or Residence Document.
Once you receive your ID Card, you can activate an e-ID by providing an email address. The e-ID allows access to online government services, including checking income tax statements, health records, and more.
Contact [email protected] or call +356 25904300 to add e-ID features later.
Students from EEA countries and their family members can live and study in Malta if they can cover their living expenses. They also need to provide proof of health insurance and their course enrollment.
For Maltese citizens, the ID Card serves as their national ID, regardless of residency.
For foreigners, it is a Maltese Residency Card, commonly referred to as an ID Card.
The ID Card is the Maltese identity card. The ID Card for immigrants is the (e-)Residence Card. We use the colloquial term ID Card in this article.
In Malta, it is advisable to submit the documents by e-mail [email protected]. The procedure is not EU-DSGVO data compliant. However, there is no state-sponsored warning industry in Malta. If Corona or other disasters restrict public access, submit the application exclusively by e-mail. You will receive a confirmation email if your application is complete. Now book the appointment for your visit to the Malta Identity Agency online.
You need:
You will receive your income tax ID with your national insurance number a few days later. You can prove your residential address by means of a purchase contract or lease/letting agreement. In our guide on renting a flat, house or shared flat in Malta, we describe how Malta registers rental agreements in the blockchain. Furthermore, proof of your profession or proof of income or assets is required.
Once you have everything you need, you can book an appointment online in advance: https://identita.gov.mt/booking-system/
At reception, an officer will check that your documents are complete. If data or forms are missing, the officers will patiently help you. This leads to a longer waiting time for the next person. However, it is certainly better for the person concerned than being sent back again. Finally, you will receive a waiting number. You follow the numbers on the electronic display.
An officer will check the documents. You must submit these in the original, even if they were sent to the Identity Agency by e-mail. You will receive your recorded data for inspection and verification. You confirm the accuracy of the data with your signature.
Several digital cameras are installed. The officer processes your photo. Your biometric data is recorded and you provide a digital signature (e-signature) for the ID card. In return, you will receive a printout of a provisional ID certificate (receipt).
You will be sent a pin. Another letter will inform you of the earliest collection date. The collection counters in the main building may have shorter opening hours. Until 2021 they closed 2 hours earlier. As always the tip in Malta, please check before travelling.
World of Malta insider tip: Check the address and opening hours the night before
Authorities in Malta move or change their opening hours at short notice. It is not uncommon for Malta’s authorities to announce a change on the website the evening before. Before you make your way to the Identity Malta Agency, check the location and opening hours.
Apart from waiting times due to excessive numbers of applicants, the application for EU citizens does not take longer than an hour. Provided you have printed out the forms and bring them with you. The friendly and helpful officials at the authority work hand in hand. The waiting times between departments (step-by-step instructions) are often only a few minutes. Applicants who receive a favourable decision are always issued with a temporary ID card.
The Malta ID Card is free of charge. In the event of loss, a fee of 22 euros and damage of 16.50 euros will be charged.
The number for the ID Card Malta is located on the right-hand side of the back. It has eight digits and ends with the letter A for EU nationals.
The nationalities Iceland, Liechtenstein, Switzerland and Norway receive the letter B, the remaining nationalities end with the letter C.
In addition to an EU driving licence, you will need a Maltese ID card to take out motor insurance. According to our information, this applies to all insurance products in Malta.
If you want to live in Malta for longer than 3 months, as an EU citizen you need this Maltese Residence Card. As an EU citizen without a residence permit, you will not be deported. The fine (fee) in Malta is 300 euros for offences.
To renew your ID card, return your old ID card and submit form ID 10 – Application for a Maltese Identity Card. All forms can be found on the website of the Identity Malta Agency. You should renew your identity card at least three months before the expiry date. This will prevent you from having to send in all your documents again.
EU citizens should send the documents in advance to: [email protected]
Non-EU citizens should send their application to: [email protected]
If your address or other personal data changes, please request this with Formular ID 10 – Application for a Maltese Identity Card. You return the old card. You will receive a new ID Card.
After five years of uninterrupted residence in Malta, you can apply for permanent residence status. As a registered citizen, the Malta Identity Agency will send you an application.
The ID Card is valid for five years. You renew it no later than three months before the expiry date using the ID 1A form. If you miss the deadline, you must resubmit all documents. You exchange the new ID Card for your old ID Card.
You must first report the loss to the police. This also applies if you lose your ID card and want to apply for replacement documents at the embassy. For the new ID card you will need the form ID 10 – Application for a Maltese Identity Card. The fee is 22 euros, or 16.50 euros in the event of damage.
You do not need a biometric passport photo in Malta. The agency will take the passport photo when preparing the residence document.
A 2007 regulation (Directive 2004/38/EC) on the free movement of European Union nationals and their family members, known as Subsidiary Legislation 17 and Freedom of movement and of residence. Citizens of the European Economic Area (EEA) have the right to reside in EEA countries as employees, self-employed persons, economically independent persons or students. These rights also apply between the EU and Switzerland.
Do you have a question about the ID card or e-ID card?
Get in touch with us. We are sure we have the right answer.
With preparation, the application for a Maltese ID card in Malta for employees, the self-employed, students and pensioners can be made quickly. This is because the forms are all available online. The contact options and the hierarchy of the Identity Agency are simple and flat. You can use the Public Transport bus until 30.09.2022 with a discount of at least 50 per cent. From 1 October 2022, the bus is free of charge for ID Card holders with a Tallinja Card.
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