Germany entry requirements for Malta passport holders
Updated weekly · Last reviewed June 28, 2026·View sources
No visa required
Max stay
No fixed limit
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
Malta passport holders can enter Germany without a visa for short stays up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This covers tourism, business trips, or visiting family. From 2026, you can travel freely within the Schengen Area with just your passport.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Valid passport Must cover entire stay | Your Maltese passport needs to be valid for the full duration of your stay in Germany. Schengen rules do not require 6 months of validity beyond departure, but airlines may enforce their own 6-month policy — check with your carrier before flying. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Proof of exit from Schengen area | Immigration officers at German airports routinely ask for a return or onward ticket showing you leave the Schengen zone within 90 days. Budget airlines check this at check-in too. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or host invitation | Have a hotel confirmation, hostel booking, or an invitation letter from your host ready. Officers rarely ask for it, but it speeds things up if they do. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Bank statement or cash | Carry a recent bank statement or enough cash to cover your stay — roughly €45 per day. Not always checked, but better to have it than get stuck in secondary inspection. | Recommended |
90-day limit applies to all Schengen countries
Your 90-day visa-free stay is for the entire Schengen Area, not just Germany. If you spend 30 days in France and 30 days in Italy, you only have 30 days left for Germany. Keep track of your days.
Keep your entry stamp
The entry stamp in your passport is proof you entered legally. If you lose it or it's missing, you may have trouble proving you didn't overstay. Check your passport after border control.
What happens at the border
1
Arrive at German border control
At any German airport (Frankfurt, Munich, Berlin) or land border, join the queue for 'All Passports' or 'Non-EU'. Have your passport ready.
2
Present your passport
Hand over your passport. The officer will scan it and may ask a few questions about your trip (purpose, length of stay, where you're staying). Answer clearly and briefly.
3
Show supporting documents if asked
If requested, show your return ticket, accommodation booking, or proof of funds. Keep them easily accessible in your bag.
4
Receive entry stamp
The officer will stamp your passport with the date of entry. This stamp is your proof of legal entry. Keep it safe.
Download Germany Entry Checklist
PDF · Malta Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated June 28, 2026
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Schengen Tourist Visa (Single Entry)
Max stay90 days within 180-day period
ValidityUp to 3 months from issue date
Cost€80 (~$87 USD)
For those who need a visa or want to stay longer; must apply before travel.
Schengen Tourist Visa (Multiple Entry)
Max stay90 days within 180-day period per visit
ValidityUp to 5 years
Cost€80 (~$87 USD)
Ideal for frequent travellers; same fee as single entry.
National Long-Stay Visa (D Visa)
Max stayOver 90 days (up to 1 year)
ValidityUp to 1 year, renewable
Cost€75 (~$82 USD)
For work, study, or family reunification; requires sponsorship and additional documents.
work visa
EU Blue Card (Germany)
4 years, renewable; permanent residency after 33 months (21 with B1 German)
€100 (~$109 USD) application fee
For highly skilled workers with a university degree and a job offer in Germany with salary above threshold (€43,800 in 2023). Offers fast-track to permanent residency.
Apply student visa
German Student Visa
Up to 2 years (renewable) for degree programs; 1 year for language courses
€75 (~$82 USD) application fee
For students accepted at a German university or preparatory course. Requires proof of funds (€11,208 in blocked account) and health insurance.
Apply digital nomad visa
Germany Freelancer Visa (Freiberufler)
1–3 years, renewable
€100 (~$109 USD) application fee
For self-employed individuals in professions like IT, design, or consulting. Requires proof of clients, income, and health insurance. No specific digital nomad visa exists, but this is the closest option.
Apply retirement visa
Germany Retirement Visa (Aufenthaltserlaubnis für Rentner)
1 year, renewable
€100 (~$109 USD) application fee
For retirees with sufficient pension or savings (no specific minimum, but must cover living costs). Requires proof of health insurance and accommodation.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tourist visa (single entry)For stays longer than 90 days or if visa-free entry is not used. Apply at German embassy. | €80 (~$87 USD) |
| Tourist visa (multiple entry)Same fee as single entry, but allows multiple entries within validity. Conditions apply. | €80 (~$87 USD) |
| Overstay fine per dayOverstaying the 90/180 rule can result in fines and entry bans. | €50 per day (~$54 USD), max €5,000 (~$5,400 USD) |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient funds for stay30%
No return or onward ticket25%
Suspicious travel pattern20%
Approval probability calculator
Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.
Transiting through Germany
No transit visa needed
Malta passport holders do not need a transit visa to change planes at German airports, even if leaving the airside area, as Malta is an EU/Schengen member.
Airside transitAllowed
Transit hubsFrankfurt Airport (FRA) · Munich Airport (MUC) · Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER)
Health & vaccines for Germany
Recommended vaccines
Routine vaccines (MMR, DTaP, polio, varicella, influenza)EssentialHepatitis ARecommendedHepatitis BRecommendedRabiesConsiderTick-borne encephalitis (TBE)Consider
Health risks
Tick-borne encephalitisModerate risk
Risk in forested areas of southern Germany (Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg) from spring to autumn; vaccination recommended for hikers.
Lyme diseaseModerate risk
Transmitted by ticks in wooded areas; use repellent and check for ticks.
Seasonal influenzaLow risk
Common in winter months; vaccination recommended for vulnerable individuals.
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
Berlin
Landesamt für Einwanderung Berlin
Friedrich-Krause-Ufer 24, 13353 Berlin
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00
For visa extensions or residence permits; appointments required online.
Munich
Kreisverwaltungsreferat München – Hauptabteilung II
Ruppertstraße 19, 80337 München
Mon–Fri 08:00–12:00
Handles visa extensions and residence matters; bring all original documents.
Practical information for MT travellers
Country basics
CapitalBerlin
LanguageGerman
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS license valid for up to 6 months.
Money
CurrencyEuro (EUR)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 0.88 EUR
Time zone
Local timeUTC+1
vs New York+6h (EST) / +6h (EDT)
vs Los Angeles+9h (PST) / +9h (PDT)
Electricity
Voltage230V / 50Hz
Plug types
C,FType C, F — US plugs (Type A/B) do not fit. Bring a European adapter.
⚠ US adapter needed
Water & health
Tap water
Safe to drink
Excellent tap water quality. Safe to drink everywhere.
Emergency numbers
Nearby destinations you can also visit
Countries close to Germany — with your same passport.
Frequently asked questions
You can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This applies to the entire Schengen Area, so days spent in other Schengen countries count toward the 90-day limit.
No. The visa-free stay is for tourism, business meetings, or family visits only. If you want to work, you need a work visa or residence permit.
If you stay longer than 90 days, yes. For short stays (under 90 days), no registration is required.
You should not travel with a passport that expires before you leave. Renew it before your trip. If it expires while you're there, contact the Maltese embassy in Berlin for an emergency travel document.
Extensions are only granted in exceptional cases (e.g., medical emergency, force majeure). You must apply at the local Ausländerbehörde (Foreigners' Office) before your 90 days expire. Overstaying can result in fines or a ban.
No. If you're transiting through a German airport and staying airside (not passing through border control), you don't need a visa. If you need to enter Germany (e.g., to switch airports), the visa-free rules apply.
Always carry your passport. German law requires you to have ID on you. A photocopy is not enough — keep the original safe but accessible.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on June 28, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.