Malta Visa: Your Gateway to the Schengen Area
When planning a trip to Malta, travellers from countries that are not visa-exempt need a Malta Schengen visa. Australian passport holders can visit visa-free for short stays (see below). This visa is part of the Schengen Area visa system, which allows for travel between 29 European countries with ease. A Malta Visa grants you entry into Malta and the freedom to travel across the Schengen zone.
Types of Malta Visas
There are various types of Schengen visas available depending on the purpose of your visit. Whether you are traveling for tourism, business, or to visit family, the Malta Visa you apply for should align with your primary reason for travel. It’s important to select the right type of visa to ensure a smooth application process.
How to Apply for a Malta Visa
The process of applying for a Malta Visa involves several steps. Applicants must fill out a visa application form, provide necessary documents such as a valid passport, travel itinerary, accommodation details, and travel insurance, and attend an appointment at the Maltese mission or visa application centre that handles applications where you live.
Tourist Visas for Malta
For tourists, a Tourist Schengen Visa is ideal. This Malta Visa allows tourists to explore Malta’s rich history, stunning landscapes, and vibrant culture for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. It’s perfect for those looking to experience the Mediterranean charm of Malta.
Visiting Family or Friends in Malta
If your purpose is to visit family or friends, the Schengen Visitor Visa is appropriate. This Malta Visa requires an invitation letter from your host in Malta, outlining the purpose and duration of your visit.
Why Choose Malta?
Malta, a member of the Schengen Area, offers more than just beautiful scenery and historical sites. The Malta Visa opens doors to a unique blend of cultures, languages, and experiences. It’s a gateway to exploring the wider Schengen Area, allowing for seamless travel across multiple European countries.
Important Considerations
When applying for a Malta Visa, it’s essential to consider the processing time, which can vary depending on the consulate and the time of year. Ensure that your application is complete and accurate to avoid delays. Additionally, be aware of the visa validity and the 90/180 rule, which limits the duration of stay in the Schengen Area.
Planning Your Malta Trip
With a Malta Visa, planning your trip becomes an exciting journey of exploring possibilities. Whether you’re interested in Malta’s famous diving sites, its historic cities like Valletta, or the vibrant nightlife, your Malta Visa is your key to an unforgettable experience.
Malta at a glance
Malta is a small Mediterranean island nation known for Valletta, diving and English-language schools. Here are the key facts for travellers from Australia.
| Schengen member since | 2007 (airports from March 2008) |
| Currency | Euro (EUR), since 2008 |
| EU membership | EU member since 2004 |
| Official languages | Maltese and English |
| Short stays | Up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the whole Schengen Area |
| Where residents of Australia apply | Consulate General of Malta in Melbourne or Sydney, in person (contact the office to book) |
| Working holiday for Australians | Yes, for Australians aged 18 to 30 |
Information checked October 2026. Rules and arrangements change, so confirm with the Maltese authorities or the mission handling your application before you travel.
Travelling to Malta on an Australian passport
Australian passport holders do not need a visa to visit Malta for tourism, family visits or short business trips. You can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period, and that limit covers the whole Schengen Area, not Malta alone. Days spent in other Schengen countries count towards the same total, so check your dates with the Schengen visa calculator before you book.
Since 10 April 2026 the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) has been fully operational at all external Schengen borders. The first time you arrive, border officers record your passport details, facial image and fingerprints. The system then logs every entry and exit and counts your days automatically, replacing passport stamps.
The next change is ETIAS, an online travel authorisation for visa-exempt travellers such as Australians. It is expected to start in late 2026, will cost EUR 20 (free if you are under 18 or over 70) and will be valid for three years or until your passport expires. It is not required yet, and there will be a transition period after launch.
- Your passport should be valid for at least three months after you plan to leave the Schengen Area and have been issued within the last 10 years.
- Border officers can ask about your accommodation, return or onward ticket and funds, so keep these handy.
- Some Schengen countries have reintroduced temporary checks at internal borders, so carry your passport when you cross between countries.
- Malta is an island nation, so you arrive by air or sea. Ferries to Sicily stay within Schengen, so there is no routine passport control on that route.
- English is an official language, so most signs, services and official forms are available in English.
Who needs a Maltese Schengen visa and where to apply
You need a Schengen visa if your passport is from a country that is not visa-exempt. This often applies to people who live in Australia on a temporary or permanent visa but hold, for example, an Indian, Chinese, Filipino or Vietnamese passport. Apply to Malta if it is your main destination (where you will spend the most days) or, if your days are split evenly, if it is the first Schengen country you will enter.
Residents of Australia: Malta’s consulates general in Melbourne and Sydney handle Schengen visa applications, including taking your fingerprints, under the High Commission of Malta in Canberra. You lodge in person, so contact the consulate general nearer to you to book an appointment and to confirm which office covers your state.
- Lodge your application no earlier than six months and no later than 15 days before you travel. Earlier is better in the European summer and around Christmas.
- The standard decision time is 15 calendar days, which can be extended to 45 days in individual cases.
- Missions in Australia commonly ask for proof of your Australian visa status, such as a recent VEVO record, along with the usual documents: passport, photo, travel medical insurance of at least EUR 30,000, itinerary, accommodation and proof of funds.
- Fingerprints are taken at your appointment unless they were recorded for a Schengen visa in the last 59 months.
See our step-by-step guide on how to apply for a Schengen visa and the different Schengen visa types.
Maltese Schengen visa fees
| Adults and children 12 and over | EUR 90 |
| Children 6 to 11 | EUR 45 |
| Children under 6 | Free |
| Service provider fee | Extra, if you lodge through a visa application centre |
| National (type D) long-stay visa | Set by Malta; usually higher than the Schengen fee |
These Schengen fees have applied since 11 June 2024 and are usually charged in Australian dollars at the current exchange rate. Some nationalities with EU visa facilitation agreements pay less. The fee is not refunded if your application is refused.
Staying longer: working holidays, study and work in Malta
The 90-day rule only covers short visits. For longer stays you need a national visa or permit from Malta itself.
Malta and Australia have a working holiday arrangement for Australians aged 18 to 30. It allows a stay of up to 12 months from arrival, is issued once only and cannot be renewed. The visa itself is free, but a VFS Global service fee applies. Confirm the current conditions with the High Commission of Malta before you apply.
Maltese visa FAQs
Do Australians need a visa to visit Malta?
No, not for short stays. Australian passport holders can visit Malta and the rest of the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Your fingerprints and photo are recorded in the Entry/Exit System on arrival, and ETIAS is expected to be required after it launches in late 2026.
Does the 90 days apply to Malta only?
No. The 90 days in any 180-day period is shared across all 29 Schengen countries. Time in non-Schengen countries such as Cyprus, Ireland or the United Kingdom does not count towards it.
Where do I apply for a Maltese Schengen visa in Australia?
Malta’s consulates general in Melbourne and Sydney take Schengen visa applications and fingerprints. Contact the one nearer to you to book an appointment. If you are unsure which office covers your state, ask the High Commission of Malta in Canberra.
Can I take the ferry from Malta to Sicily?
Yes. Malta and Italy are both in Schengen, so the ferry stays within the area and the days count towards your 90-day total.
Is the Maltese working holiday visa renewable?
No. It is issued once and allows a stay of up to 12 months from your arrival.
Can I study English in Malta without a visa?
On an Australian passport, yes for courses of up to 90 days within the 90/180 limit. Longer courses need a Maltese long-stay visa or residence permit.
More Schengen guides
- ETIAS: what Australians need to know
- Schengen 90/180 day calculator
- Tourist Schengen visa and business Schengen visa
- Italy visa guide
- Greece visa guide
- Croatia visa guide
VisaEnvoy does not provide Schengen visa services. This page is general information only. For advice on your application, contact the embassy or consulate of the country you plan to visit.