The basic rules
Malta follows the EU pet travel rules. If you follow them, there is no quarantine. These rules are for dogs, cats and ferrets travelling with their owner (up to 5 pets).
Every pet needs:
- A microchip (15-digit ISO standard). It must be put in before the rabies vaccine.
- A rabies vaccine, given when the pet is at least 12 weeks old. You must wait 21 days after the first vaccine before travelling.
- A pet passport or health certificate (see below).
Dogs only: Malta is free of a dangerous tapeworm, so every dog needs a tapeworm treatment given by a vet 1 to 5 days (24 to 120 hours) before arriving in Malta. The vet writes the date and time in the passport or certificate.
If any document is missing or wrong, your pet can be sent back or put in quarantine at your cost, and fines can reach €3,700. Check everything with your vet before you travel.
Rules by country
| Coming from | Documents | Extra steps |
|---|---|---|
| EU country | EU pet passport | Microchip, rabies vaccine, and tapeworm treatment for dogs |
| UK and other "listed" countries (for example the USA, Canada, Australia, Japan) | EU animal health certificate, signed by an official vet within 10 days before travel | Same as EU, no blood test needed |
| Other non-EU countries | EU animal health certificate | A rabies blood test (titre test) at least 30 days after the vaccine, then a 3-month wait before travel |
Young pets: puppies and kittens must be at least 15 weeks old to come from the EU or a listed country, and about 7 months old from other countries.
Rules were updated in 2026. Always check the latest rules for your country with the Veterinary Regulation Directorate (VRD) in Malta and your vet.
Travelling to Malta
- Send the Pets Arrival Notification before you travel. This is required. Fill in the free online form on servizz.gov.mt (search for "Pets Arrival Notification"). Send it a few days before you travel, because it is checked and approved step by step. Print the approval and carry it with your pet's documents. Without this form, your pet can be refused entry.
- By air: pets from outside the EU must arrive at Malta International Airport. Airlines have their own rules: small pets can sometimes travel in the cabin, bigger pets go in the hold or as cargo, in an approved crate. Book early, because places for pets are limited.
- By ferry from Sicily (Pozzallo to Valletta): book your pet's place in advance. Pets stay in your car, a carrier or a special area, and staff can refuse boarding if documents are missing.
- Hot weather: many airlines do not carry pets in the hold in the hottest summer months. Plan your move for spring or autumn if you can.
After you arrive
- Register your dog in Malta. Dogs in Malta must be microchipped and registered on the national database. Ask a local vet to register your dog's microchip soon after you arrive. A small fee applies.
- Find a vet. There are many vet clinics across Malta and Gozo, and some offer 24-hour emergency care.
- Protect against local diseases. Ask your vet about leishmaniasis (spread by sandflies in warm months) and ticks. A special collar or vaccine is common for dogs in Malta.
- Think about pet insurance. Vet bills can be high for surgery or emergencies.
Renting with a pet
Finding a flat that accepts pets can be hard, especially in Sliema, St Julian's and Gżira.
- Say you have a pet from the start, and ask the agent to search only for pet-friendly homes.
- The landlord may ask for a higher deposit.
- Make sure the lease says pets are allowed, so there are no problems later.
- Homes with a yard or terrace, or in quieter towns and villages, are often easier. See Renting Properties.
Daily life with a pet in Malta
- Heat: summer pavements get very hot. Walk dogs early in the morning or late in the evening, and never leave a pet in a car.
- Beaches: dogs are not allowed on most popular beaches in the bathing season. Malta and Gozo have dog-friendly beaches, for example in Mellieħa, Sliema, Kalkara, Marsaskala, Marsaxlokk and Birżebbuġa. Keep your dog on a leash and pick up after it.
- Leash and waste: keep dogs on a leash in public places and always clean up. Fines apply.
- Green spaces: Malta has few large parks, but places like Ta' Qali National Park and the countryside are good for walks in the cooler months.
- Adopting: many dogs and cats need homes. Contact the Animal Welfare centre at Ta' Qali or local animal charities.
Good to know
- Malta has no banned dog breeds, but some hybrid animals (such as wolf hybrids and some wild-type cats) cannot be imported.
- For other pets, such as birds, rabbits or reptiles, different rules apply. Ask the VRD before you travel.
- Moving with a pet adds costs: vet visits, certificates, flights and maybe a pet relocation company. Plan your budget with our Cost of Living Calculator.
Pet travel rules can change. Always check the latest rules with the Veterinary Regulation Directorate (VRD) and your vet before you travel.