PetTravelCheck Know before you go

Malta pet travel requirements
for dogs, cats, and ferrets

Malta requires tapeworm treatment for dogs and 48h pre-arrival notice. The treatment window is strict — plan carefully.

Rabies 21-day rule Tapeworm treatment Pre-arrival notice

What your pet needs for Malta entry

  1. 1

    Microchip (ISO 11784/11785)

    Must be implanted before or on the same day as the rabies vaccination.

  2. 2

    Rabies vaccination — 21-day wait for primary vaccines

    Boosters given within validity have no wait. Lapsed boosters restart the 21-day clock.

  3. 3

    Tapeworm treatment (Echinococcus)

    Dogs only, must be given 24–120 hours before arrival. Exempt if travelling from: IE, NO, FI.

  4. 4

    EU Pet Passport or Animal Health Certificate (AHC)

    EU/EEA-origin pets need a valid EU Pet Passport; arrivals from other countries need a government-endorsed AHC issued within 10 days of travel.

Check your compliance

Vaccination type

The date the rabies vaccine was administered

When you plan to cross the border with your pet

Pet type

Travelling to Malta with your pet

Malta is a stunning Mediterranean island destination, but it has some of the strictest pet entry rules in the EU — reflecting its island biosecurity status and its shared tapeworm-free zone with Ireland, Northern Ireland, Finland, and Norway. Dogs travelling from any country outside this exempt group must receive tapeworm treatment between 24 and 120 hours before arrival on the island.

The treatment must be administered by a vet and recorded in the EU Pet Passport or AHC with the exact date and time. Additionally, Malta requires 48 hours advance notification to the Veterinary Regulation Directorate before arrival. Cats and ferrets do not require tapeworm treatment for Malta entry.

Malta is an EU member state and applies EU Regulation 576/2013 with these additional national provisions. Entry is via Malta International Airport (MLA) or Valletta Grand Harbour.

Frequently asked questions

How do I submit the 48-hour pre-arrival notification for Malta?
The notification must be submitted to Malta's Veterinary Regulation Directorate (VRD) at least 48 hours before your expected arrival time. Contact details and notification forms are available at agriculture.gov.mt. Include your pet's microchip number, species, and your flight or ferry details.
My dog is travelling from Ireland to Malta — is tapeworm treatment required?
No. Ireland is one of the four Echinococcus-free countries exempt from Malta's tapeworm requirement (along with Northern Ireland, Finland, and Norway). If your dog has been continuously resident in Ireland without travel to non-exempt countries, no tapeworm treatment is needed for Malta entry.
Is there a quarantine requirement for pets entering Malta?
No quarantine is required for pets that arrive with all documentation in order — EU Pet Passport or AHC, current rabies vaccination, proof of tapeworm treatment (where required), and pre-arrival notification confirmation. If documentation is missing, the VRD may detain the animal pending checks.

Related resources

Rabies 21-Day Rule Calculator

Standalone rabies timing check for all EU/UK destinations

Tapeworm Treatment Timing Calculator

Calculate the exact 24–120h treatment window for Malta entry

Travel to Ireland — also requires tapeworm

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