Malta Spain Visa: What Maltese Citizens Need to Know
Key Facts for Maltese Citizens
- Visa Required: No (EU free movement)
- Registration: Green certificate (Certificado de Registro) within 90 days
- Processing Time: Same-day at appointment
- Spanish Embassy: Valletta (Ta’ Xbiex)
- Citizenship Timeline: 10 years
- Tax Treaty: Yes (2005)
- Dual Citizenship: Keep both in practice
If you’re Maltese and considering Spain, here’s the good news: you don’t need a malta spain visa. As an EU citizen, you have the right to live and work in Spain without applying for permission. What you need is registration, not a visa.
Malta joined the EU in 2004. That membership gives you full freedom of movement across all 27 member states. You can fly to Barcelona tomorrow and start your new life. The only bureaucratic requirement is registering with Spanish authorities once you’ve settled.
EU Free Movement: Your Rights as a Maltese Citizen
EU Directive 2004/38/EC establishes your right to move freely within member states. Spain implemented this through Real Decreto 240/2007. What this means practically:
- Enter Spain with your Maltese passport or ID card
- Stay up to 90 days without any paperwork
- Work, study, or retire from day one
- If staying longer than 3 months, register (not apply)
The difference between registration and application matters. Applications can be denied. Registration cannot be refused if you meet the basic requirements. It’s Spain acknowledging you’re here legally, not giving you permission to stay.
Registration Process for Maltese Citizens
Within 90 days of arriving with the intention to stay, you need to obtain your Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la Unión. This green certificate includes your NIE number and confirms your legal residence.
Visit the Oficina de Extranjeros or designated police station in your area. In major cities like Barcelona, appointments book weeks in advance. We help secure appointments and prepare documentation.
Documents Required
Bring These to Your Appointment:
- Maltese passport or ID card valid for at least 6 months
- EX-18 form completed (available online or at the office)
- Proof of address rental contract or empadronamiento certificate
- Economic means work contract, autónomo registration, or bank statements
- Health insurance if not covered by Spanish Social Security
- Fee payment Via Modelo 790 código 012
Economic Requirements
Spain doesn’t publish exact income thresholds for EU citizens like it does for non-EU visa applicants. The standard is that you shouldn’t become an “unreasonable burden” on social services. In practice, we advise showing at least €600/month in stable income or €6,000+ in savings. If you’re employed in Spain, your work contract is usually sufficient regardless of salary.
Malta Spain Visa Isn’t Required, But Don’t Skip Registration
Maltese citizens sometimes assume that because they don’t need a visa, they don’t need to do anything. Technically, you can stay indefinitely. Practically, skipping registration causes problems:
- Banks may refuse to open accounts without NIE
- Landlords prefer tenants with registration
- Time spent unregistered doesn’t count toward permanent residency or citizenship
- Accessing healthcare becomes complicated
Start early. Appointment availability varies by city and season. Barcelona can have 4-6 week waits during busy periods.
Tax Considerations for Maltese in Spain
Tax Treaty: Malta-Spain (2005)
Malta and Spain signed a double taxation agreement in 2005, preventing you from being taxed twice on the same income.
Key Treaty Points:
- Dividends: 5% withholding if holding ≥10% capital, otherwise 15%
- Interest: 0% withholding
- Royalties: 0% withholding
- Pensions: Spanish-source pensions paid to Malta residents taxable only in Malta
Beckham Law
Qualifying new residents can pay a flat 24% tax on Spanish-source income for up to 6 years. Specific requirements apply. Learn about Beckham Law eligibility.
Spanish income tax rates are progressive, from 19% to 47% depending on income and autonomous community. Catalonia has rates at the higher end. We work with tax advisors who specialize in cross-border moves to structure your transition correctly.
Healthcare Options
As an EU citizen, you have several healthcare pathways:
- Working in Spain: Employer registers you with Seguridad Social, giving you full public healthcare access
- Pensioners: Request S1 form from Malta’s Social Security Department. Register it with Spain’s INSS for public healthcare, costs covered by Malta
- Not working: Private health insurance required for registration. Companies like Sanitas, Adeslas, ASISA offer policies from €50-100/month depending on age
Bring your European Health Insurance Card from Malta for emergency coverage during your transition period.
Path to Permanent Residency and Spanish Citizenship
Permanent Residency: After 5 years of continuous legal residence, you qualify for permanent residency. This removes conditions on your stay. No more proving employment or income. You can stay indefinitely even without working.
Continuity allows absences up to 6 months per year, with one absence up to 12 months for important reasons (pregnancy, serious illness, work assignment).
Spanish Citizenship: Requires 10 years of legal residence. Malta isn’t on Spain’s list of countries with shortened timelines (those are former Spanish colonies, Portugal, Andorra, Philippines, Equatorial Guinea). You’ll need to pass:
- CCSE exam: Spanish constitutional and cultural knowledge
- DELE A2 exam: Basic Spanish language proficiency
Dual Citizenship: Malta and Spain
Malta has allowed dual citizenship since 2000. Spain requires a formal renunciation declaration during naturalization, but Malta doesn’t recognize Spain’s requirement. In practice, you keep both passports.
Important: Use your Spanish passport for travel after naturalizing. Exclusively using your Maltese passport for 3+ years can result in losing Spanish citizenship.
Spanish Embassy in Malta
Valletta – Embassy of Spain
Whitehall Mansions, Ta’ Xbiex Seafront
Ta’ Xbiex XBX 1026, Malta
Tel: +356 2131 7365
Emergency: +356 7934 9191
Email: [email protected]
The embassy handles consular services for Spanish nationals in Malta and can provide information for Maltese planning to move to Spain. However, as an EU citizen, you don’t need to apply for visas here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Maltese citizens need a visa for Spain?
No. As EU citizens, Maltese nationals have free movement rights. You can enter Spain with your passport or ID card and stay indefinitely. For stays over 90 days, you register with authorities rather than apply for a visa.
How long can Maltese stay in Spain without registration?
Technically indefinitely, but if you plan to stay more than 90 days, you must register. Staying unregistered causes practical problems with banking, healthcare, and doesn’t count toward permanent residency or citizenship.
Can I work in Spain immediately as a Maltese citizen?
Yes. You can work from day one without a work permit. Simply register with Social Security and tax authorities when you start employment. Complete your EU registration within 90 days.
Is there a tax treaty between Malta and Spain?
Yes. The 2005 double taxation agreement prevents you from paying tax twice on the same income. It includes favorable withholding rates on dividends, interest, and royalties.
Can I keep my Maltese passport if I become Spanish?
In practice, yes. Spain requires a renunciation declaration, but Malta doesn’t recognize it. You’ll keep both passports. Use your Spanish passport for travel after naturalizing to avoid complications.
How long does Spanish citizenship take for Maltese?
10 years of legal residence, plus 2-3 years for application processing. You’ll need to pass the CCSE cultural test and DELE A2 Spanish language exam.
We Handle Everything
Spanish bureaucracy is relentless. Visa applications, tax residency, NIE appointments, ongoing compliance. Getting any of it wrong costs time and money. We handle the paperwork and planning so you can focus on actually building your life here.
This guide provides general information about moving from Malta to Spain. Requirements can change. Contact us for personalized advice on your situation. Information accurate as of January 2026.