Malta has announced age-based validity periods for its passports, with applicants required to be at least 16 years old to qualify for a document valid for 10 years.
The policy means children and teenagers below 16 cannot obtain the same passport validity as adults, even though they may qualify for Maltese travel documents.
According to Malta’s Identità agency, the country’s passport validity system is divided into three age categories. Applicants aged 16 and above receive passports valid for 10 years, while those aged 10 to 15 receive five-year documents.
Children below the age of 10 are issued passports valid for only two years.
The arrangement also applies to minors aged 16 and 17, who qualify for the 10-year passport despite not yet reaching adulthood.
How much does a Malta passport cost?
The cost of obtaining a Maltese passport depends on the applicant’s age and the period of the year when the application is submitted.
According to Identità, the standard fees are:
| Applicant’s age | Passport validity | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Under 10 | 2 years | €16 |
| 10–15 years | 5 years | €40 |
| 16 and above | 10 years | €70–€80 |
Applicants aged 16 and above pay €70 between September and March and €80 between April and August.
Those who require urgent processing pay additional fees. The urgent service costs €60 for children under 10, €80 for applicants aged 10–15 and €160 for those aged 16 and above.
What are the requirements for a Malta passport?
Applicants must be Maltese citizens to obtain a Maltese national passport.
They are required to complete Form A and submit the necessary documents at a passport office in Malta or Gozo.
Applicants aged 16 and 17 must attend with at least one parent. Both parents must provide consent by signing the application in the presence of an approved recommender.
They must also provide their valid Maltese identity card, their parents’ identification documents and a previous passport, where applicable.
Adults applying for the first time must also provide the required recommendation and identification documents.
Applicants must undergo biometric registration, including facial photography and fingerprint collection.
How long does it take to get a Malta passport?
Identità says standard passport applications are normally ready for collection after four working days, provided applicants submit the correct documents.
An urgent service is also available, allowing applicants to collect their passports after four working hours at an additional cost.
Applicants must collect their passports in person, although different collection arrangements apply to younger children.
Can foreigners apply for a Malta passport?
The 10-year passport arrangement is for Maltese citizens, not every foreign national living in or visiting the country.
Foreigners who want to obtain a Maltese passport must first have a legal basis for acquiring Maltese citizenship.
Therefore, meeting the minimum age requirement alone does not make someone eligible for the document.