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Malta

Updated: April 26, 2026 Source: November 18, 2025

Dog Regulations

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Vaccinations
Description:

Rabies vaccination requirements for entry into Malta follow EU rules and USDA APHIS guidance for travel to Malta.

  • Your dog must be microchipped before receiving the rabies vaccination.
  • A valid rabies vaccination administered by a licensed/authorized veterinarian is required.
  • Wait at least 21 days after the primary (first) rabies vaccination before entry.
  • If booster vaccinations are kept current without any lapse, no new 21-day wait is required after a booster.
Certifications
Description:

For dogs originating from the United States, an EU health certificate is required as per USDA APHIS guidance for Malta.

  • The EU health certificate must be issued by a USDA-Accredited Veterinarian and endorsed by USDA APHIS.
  • Your dog must arrive in the EU within 10 days of USDA APHIS endorsement of the certificate.
  • Carry the original endorsed EU health certificate with the dog on arrival.
Microchip

Your dog must be identified with an ISO 11784/11785-compliant microchip before rabies vaccination. If the microchip is not ISO-compatible, you should bring your own microchip reader.

Origin Requirements

No origin-specific requirements for this pet.

More Info
Pre-notification to Malta Veterinary Services

Malta requires pre-notification of pet arrivals. Use the official Malta Pet Arrivals online notification form.

  • Complete and submit the Malta Pet Arrivals online notification before arrival.
  • Provide the details requested in the form (pet identification, vaccination information, and travel/arrival details).
  • Keep confirmation of submission for your records.
Dog tapeworm treatment (Echinococcus multilocularis)

USDA APHIS specifies that dogs entering Malta must be treated for Echinococcus multilocularis prior to entry.

  • A veterinarian must administer a treatment effective against Echinococcus multilocularis (e.g., praziquantel).
  • Treatment must be given 1–5 days (24–120 hours) before entry into Malta.
  • The treatment must be recorded by the veterinarian in the EU health certificate, including date/time and product used.
Transit via high-risk country (derogation from rabies antibody test)

Malta provides a transit declaration (Deroga mit‑Test tal‑Antikorp) for cases transiting through certain countries without leaving the international transit area.

  • If applicable, submit the transit declaration as instructed by Malta’s Veterinary Services.
  • Ensure the pet remained confined in the international transit area during the layover.
Import-Specific Links
Veterinary Services Directorate (VSD) — Home Malta Pet Arrivals — Notification (pre-notification form) Servizz.gov — Notifika ta’ Wasla ta’ Annimal Domestiku Servizz.gov — Deroga mit‑Test tal‑Antikorp (Transit Declaration) USDA APHIS — Health Certificates for Finland, Malta, Ireland and Norway
Official Source(s)
Government of Malta — Ministry for Agriculture: Public bodies Veterinary Services Directorate (VSD) — Home Food Safety and Security Authority (FSSA) — Site AHWD (temporary site for FSSA/VRD) — Services index Servizz.gov — Veterinary Services category index USDA APHIS — Finland, Malta, Ireland (including Northern Ireland) and Norway: Health Certificates