Movement of Pet Animals into Malta
Regulation (EU) No 576/2013 regulates the non-commercial movement of pet animals which accompanies its owner where its owner moves and is under his direct responsibility. The non-commercial movement of the pet animal may take place up to five days before or after the movement of the owner, in which case the non-commercial movement of the pet animal is carried out under the responsibility of a natural person who has authorization in writing from the owner to carry out the non-commercial movement of the pet animal on his behalf.
The maximum number of pet animals (dogs, cats or ferrets) which may be moved for non-commercial purposes is up to 5.
Exceptionally, the maximum number may exceed 5 only when all of the following conditions are met:
- The movement is for the purpose of participating in competitions, exhibitions or sporting events (or in training for such events)
- Written evidence is provided that the animals are registered either to attend an event or with an organization organizing such events
- The animals are more than six months old.
The movement of pet animals younger than 15 weeks of age (105 days old) is not permissible.
Health requirements for pet animals entering the Malta from another EU Country
Pets animals of the species Dogs, Cats and Ferrets are in need of the following health requirements:
- An ISO identification - 15 digit microchip, or clearly readable tattoo. The animal must be identified before the rabies vaccination.
- A rabies vaccine at 12 weeks of age
- A valid EU passport
- 21 days have to pass from the date of the rabies vaccination
- De-worming treatment between 24 hrs to 120 hrs prior entering into Malta (only applies for dogs). Dogs moving directly between Norway, Finland, or Ireland to Malta are exempted from the treatment against the tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis.
- The online pre notification needs to be submitted: https://nldmalta.gov.mt/MaltaPetArrivals/ ( In case this link is not working, kindly send all information of pet and travel details to petstravel.mafa@gov.mt )
Health requirements for pet animals entering Malta from Non-EU Countries
Pets animals of the species Dogs, Cats and Ferrets are in need of the following health requirements:
- An ISO identification - 15 digit microchip, or clearly readable tattoo. The animal must be identified before the rabies vaccination.
- A rabies vaccine at 12 weeks of age - it will also need a blood test if you are travelling from an ‘unlisted country’. The test must be carried out on a sample collected by an authorised veterinarian at least 30 days after the date of vaccination and not less than three months before the date of movement, the test must measure a level of neutralising antibody to rabies virus in serum equal to or greater than 0,5 IU/ml, the test must be performed in an approved laboratory.
- An Official Health Certificate issued by the country of departure either ‘listed’ or ‘unlisted country’
- 21 days have to pass from the date of the rabies vaccination, and 3 months after the rabies neutralizing antibody test if you are travelling from an ‘unlisted country’
- De-worming treatment between 24 hrs to 120 hrs prior entering into Malta (only applies for dogs).
- The online pre notification needs to be submitted: https://nldmalta.gov.mt/MaltaPetArrivals/ ( In case this link is not working, kindly send all information of pet and travel details to petstravel.mafa@gov.mt )
Countries that Malta accepts pet passports from: As well as all countries in the EU, Malta also accepts pet passports from:
- Andorra
- Azores and Madeira
- Canary Islands
- French Guiana
- Gibraltar
- Greenland and the Faroe Islands
- Guadeloupe
- Iceland
- Liechtenstein
- Martinique
- Monaco
- Northern Ireland
- Norway
- San Marino
- Switzerland
- Vatican City
Listed countries
The listed countries are:
Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Aruba, Ascension Island, Australia, Bahrain, Barbados, Belarus, Bermuda, BES Islands (Bonair, Saint Eustatius and Saba), Bosnia-Herzegovina, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, Curaçao, Falkland Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia, Guernsey, Hong Kong, Isle of Man, Jamaica, Japan, Jersey, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Montserrat, New Caledonia, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Russian Federation, Saint Maarten, Singapore, St Helena, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Pierre and Miquelon, St Vincent and The Grenadines, Taiwan, Trinidad and Tobago, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom (GB), USA (includes American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the US virgin Islands), Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna.
Unlisted countries
The unlisted countries are the remaining countries other than the ‘listed’.
For Commercial movements please contact the Trade Unit in order to produce the necessary documentation. For Commercial movements outside the EU, please also contact Malta Customs on: +356 21248044 / +356 21222965 / +356 21257071
Your pet may be put into quarantine for up to 4 months if you do not follow these rules - or refused entry. You are responsible for any fees or charges.
Intra trade phone numbers: +356 21650393
BIP phone numbers: +356 21653013
24/7 phone number: +356 99170532