Sarah · with Cooper (Golden Retriever, 30kg) “I've relocated internationally 3 times with Cooper.” Meet all guides →
About this guide ↓
This guide was generated by Pawgo's AI using verified data from official sources. Sarah is a fictional persona — the data is real.
Malta's health certificate comes in two separate flavors, and the non-commercial one is far easier to time correctly than the commercial version is for most travelers. Cooper's third international move taught me that picking the wrong certificate type costs real days you don't get back before any flight you've already booked.
Bringing a pet to Malta requires three documents in the right order: a microchip, a rabies vaccine within the destination's wait window, and a government-endorsed health certificate. The table below lays out exactly what's required, what's not, and where each rule comes from.
How Malta handles your pet
Key points
Malta requires a Pets Arrival Notification (PAN) for all incoming pets, applying to both commercial and non-commercial movements
Submit the form to veterinaryregulation.mafa@gov.mt and allow at least 4 working days for approval before your pet's arrival
Entry without this notification will be denied
Each fact comes straight from the operator’s published policy. Tap the to read the exact wording; the opens the source page.
Day -90 microchip implant · Day -21 rabies vaccine deadline · Day -10 health certificate issued · Day 0 arrive at customs
Conditional requirements
These rules apply only to some travellers — where the pet is departing from, where it has been, or who is travelling with it. Most people can ignore them, but if one applies to you it can change what you need, or mean denied entry if you skip it.
Pet arriving from, or recently in, a third country or territory NOT listed in Annex I or II to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/636 — If your pet has been in one of 154 higher-risk countries in the last 6 months:
Rabies titer (blood) test: Rabies antibody titration test >= 0,5 IU/ml, on a sample taken by an authorised veterinarian at least 30 days after the primary vaccination and not less than 90 days before the animal health certificate is issued, performed in a designated laboratory (Del. Reg. (EU) 2026/131; model certificate Annex III to Impl. Reg. (EU) 2026/705, point II.3.1).
Malta's non-commercial health certificate is easier to meet the timeframe for than the commercial version, and its validity runs just 5 days from the date of issuance either way. A certificate issued 6 days before arrival has already expired regardless of which type was originally chosen. Confirm the non-commercial route applies to your trip, then book the certificate inside that 5-day window.
Malta's import permit process needs roughly 30 days of lead time before travel, separate entirely from the rabies vaccine's own waiting period. Starting the permit application with less than a month's notice risks it not clearing before the actual departure date. Begin the permit process a full 30 days ahead of the planned travel date, not closer than that.
Here's what I wish someone had told me: Malta rewards picking the right certificate type and starting the permit process a month early, not scrambling the week before departure day arrives. Get a personalized plan from Pawgo to see exactly which certificate type and timeline actually apply to your specific trip.
ISO 11784/11785 — the universal microchip standard.
FAVN
Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization — a rabies serology test required by rabies-free destinations.
Brachycephalic
Snub-nosed breeds (French Bulldogs, Pugs, Persians, Himalayans) with restricted airline acceptance due to heat-stress risk.
AVIH
Animal Vehicle In Hold — IATA's term for cargo pet shipment, with fees that vary by carrier and route.
Auto-generated from verified government data · Last updated: October 26, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Malta require rabies vaccination for dogs?
Yes, Malta requires a rabies vaccination for imported dogs. There is a 21-day waiting period after vaccination. Exact timing depends on your origin country — compute your timeline at www.pawgo.fr.Build my pet's travel plan →
Does Malta require a microchip for pets?
Yes, Malta requires an ISO-compliant microchip. The microchip must typically be implanted before rabies vaccination. Get your full checklist at www.pawgo.fr.Build my pet's travel plan →
What health certificate does Malta require for pets?
Malta requires a veterinary health certificate for imported pets. It must be issued within 10 days of travel. Government endorsement is required. Get exact document requirements at www.pawgo.fr.Build my pet's travel plan →
Does Malta require a rabies titer test?
It depends where you travel from. Coming from the EU or a listed (Annex II) country, no titer test is required. It is only required for a pet arriving from an unlisted third country: blood drawn at least 30 days after vaccination, result ≥0.5 IU/ml, from an approved lab. Plan your timeline at www.pawgo.fr.Build my pet's travel plan →
Do I need a pet import permit for Malta?
Yes, Malta requires an import permit for pets. Lead time varies — apply well in advance. Get your full preparation timeline at www.pawgo.fr.Build my pet's travel plan →
Does my pet need a microchip for Malta?
Yes. Malta requires an ISO-standard microchip. Malta has not published a rule on the order, so have it fitted before the rabies vaccination where you can — many countries and airlines require that sequence.Build my pet's travel plan →
How long before travel must the rabies vaccine be given for Malta?
The rabies vaccine must take effect at least 21 days before entry, and can be given from 12 weeks of age. Travelling before that window makes the vaccination invalid at the border.Build my pet's travel plan →
Does Malta require a rabies antibody (titer) test?
Only for pets arriving from a country not on the EU's listed (Annex II) countries. Those pets need a rabies antibody titer test from an approved lab. Pets from EU or listed countries do not.Build my pet's travel plan →
Is there quarantine for pets entering Malta?
No. Pets that meet Malta's entry rules — microchip, valid rabies vaccination, and paperwork — enter without quarantine.Build my pet's travel plan →
What if my flight is delayed past my health certificate validity?
If the certificate window expires before you board, you'll need a re-issue. Build a 1-2 day buffer between the cert date and departure to absorb minor delays.Build my pet's travel plan →
What happens if I forget a document?
At the destination airport: at best, an extended inspection while you produce backup; at worst, the pet is held in quarantine or returned to origin at your cost. Bring printed copies.Build my pet's travel plan →
Traveling to Malta?
Get a personalized travel checklist with exact deadlines for your pet.
