Schengen Visa for Malta from the UK: Application, Fees and Processing in 2026

A Schengen visa for the Republic of Malta is a short-stay or long-stay travel document for non-exempt nationals entering the Schengen area through Malta. UK passport holders enjoy visa-free entry for short trips, but UK residents on visa-requiring passports must apply ahead of travel.

Who needs a Schengen visa from the UK for Malta

British citizens travelling on a UK passport do not need a Schengen visa to enter Malta for tourism, business meetings, study visits or short family stays. The 90-day allowance is shared across the whole Schengen area in any rolling 180-day window, so previous trips to Spain, France or Italy reduce the time available in Malta.

UK residents holding passports from Annex I countries of the EU Visa Code must obtain a short-stay Schengen visa before travel. Where Malta is the main destination by length of stay, the application is made to Malta. Where stays are equal across two or more countries, the country of first entry takes the file. UK residence permits including ILR and student or work visas do not change the underlying visa requirement, which follows the passport.

Long-stay travel beyond 90 days, including for the Nomad Residence Permit or the Malta Permanent Residence Programme, takes applicants outside the Schengen short-stay route and into the national Type D visa and residence permit framework.

Where to apply: consular jurisdiction and application centres

The Malta High Commission in London is at Malta House, 36-38 Piccadilly, W1J 0LE. Its consular jurisdiction covers the United Kingdom and Ireland. Short-stay Schengen visa applications from UK residents are submitted via the High Commission directly or, where Malta has designated a visa application centre partner, through that centre. The current operational arrangement is published on the Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs site and on identita.gov.mt.

Because the operational route has shifted in recent years, including with the rebrand of Identity Malta to Identita and the launch of the evisa.gov.mt eVisa portal, applicants should confirm the live intake position before assembling documents. The High Commission publishes office hours, payment methods and required appointment booking on its public page.

How to apply: documents, biometrics and fees

The Schengen short-stay file follows the EU Visa Code. Applicants submit a completed visa application form, a passport valid for at least three months after departure with two blank pages, two recent biometric photographs, travel medical insurance covering EUR 30,000 across the Schengen area, confirmed return travel, proof of accommodation in Malta and evidence of sufficient means of subsistence. Employed applicants supply a recent payslip set and an employer letter; students submit a no-objection letter and enrolment evidence.

Biometric data, a facial image and ten fingerprints on first enrolment, is captured at the appointment and feeds the Visa Information System (VIS) for 59 months. Repeat applicants within that window may be exempt from re-enrolment although the consulate can still call them in.

The standard short-stay fee was set at EUR 90 from 11 June 2024 under the revised EU Visa Code. Children aged 6 to 11 pay EUR 45 and under-6s are exempt. Where a visa application centre is used, a centre service fee is charged in addition. The visa fee is not refunded if the application is refused.

Processing times and what to expect

Malta applies the standard EU Visa Code timetable: a decision is normally issued within 15 calendar days of a complete lodgement, extendable to 45 days where extra documents are required or external consultation is triggered. Volumes peak from April through to September, so applicants planning summer travel should lodge as early as the EU rules allow, currently six months before departure.

The decision is communicated through the appointment channel used at lodgement, with the passport returned in person or by secure courier. Refusal letters set out the grounds and the appeal route through the Immigration Appeals Board. Travellers should avoid booking non-refundable flights or hotels before the visa is in the passport.

Entry/Exit System (EES) and ETIAS: what UK travellers should know

The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) began phased rollout at Schengen external borders in October 2025. EES replaces manual passport stamping with an electronic record of every entry and exit by non-EU travellers, including UK passport holders. At the first crossing each visitor provides a facial image and four fingerprints, which are stored for three years and used to verify identity on subsequent trips.

EES applies regardless of visa status. UK passport holders arriving into Malta International Airport, the cruise terminal at Valletta Waterfront or the Gozo Channel onward routes will be registered. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office publishes UK-facing EES guidance on gov.uk and the European Commission maintains a public information portal at travel-europe.europa.eu.

The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is expected to begin in late 2026 or early 2027. When it starts, UK passport holders travelling visa-free will need to apply online for an ETIAS authorisation before each trip. There is no requirement to do so today, and the Commission has been explicit that ETIAS will not be operational on earlier indicative dates. Schengen visa holders are exempt from ETIAS because the visa itself covers entry.

Long-stay national visas for Malta

For stays beyond 90 days, Malta issues national Type D visas and residence permits administered by Identita and the Ministry for Home Affairs. The headline categories are employment (single permit), self-employment, family reunification, study and the Nomad Residence Permit (the Malta Digital Nomad visa) for remote workers earning above a defined threshold.

The Maltese Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) offers a residence-by-investment route subject to due-diligence checks, property requirements and contribution thresholds set by Residency Malta Agency. The MPRP is a residence pathway, not a Schengen short-stay visa, but holders gain Schengen visa-free mobility for short trips once the permit is issued. Long-stay applicants normally apply for the national D visa from the Malta High Commission in London and finalise the residence card in Malta after entry, with biometrics taken at the Identita office.

Document checklists, fees and processing windows for each long-stay category are published on identita.gov.mt and foreignaffairs.gov.mt. The eVisa portal at evisa.gov.mt centralises some application steps and acts as the official entry point for several categories.

Frequently asked questions

Do UK citizens need a Schengen visa for Malta?

No. British citizens travelling on a UK passport are visa-exempt for short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen area, including Malta. A visa is only required for stays beyond 90 days or for long-stay categories such as work, study or the Nomad Residence Permit.

Where do UK residents apply for a Maltese Schengen visa?

Short-stay Schengen visa applications from the UK are submitted to the Malta High Commission in London at Malta House, 36-38 Piccadilly, W1J 0LE, or through a designated visa application centre where one is in place. Applicants should verify the current intake route on identita.gov.mt and the eVisa portal at evisa.gov.mt before booking.

How much does a Maltese Schengen visa cost?

The EU short-stay visa fee was set at EUR 90 for adults from 11 June 2024 under the EU Visa Code. Children aged 6 to 11 pay EUR 45 and under-6s are exempt. Application centre service fees are charged separately. Verify the live fee with the High Commission before applying.

How long does a Maltese Schengen visa take to process?

The standard window is 15 calendar days from a complete lodgement, extendable to 45 days where additional checks are required. Summer travel applicants should lodge as early as the EU rules allow and avoid booking non-refundable travel before the visa is issued.

What is the Malta Nomad Residence Permit?

The Nomad Residence Permit is a national residence route for remote workers who provide services to clients outside Malta and meet a monthly income threshold. It is a long-stay permit, not a short-stay Schengen visa. Application details and conditions are published by Residency Malta Agency and on identita.gov.mt.

Will EES change how UK travellers enter Malta?

Yes. The EU Entry/Exit System is being rolled out at Schengen borders from October 2025. UK travellers provide a facial image and four fingerprints on first crossing, replacing the existing passport stamp. The data is stored for three years and used to verify identity on later trips.

Does ETIAS apply yet to UK travellers to Malta?

Not yet. ETIAS, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System, is expected to begin in late 2026 or early 2027. Once active, UK passport holders travelling visa-free will need an ETIAS authorisation before each trip, but no such authorisation is required today.