Importation of healthy pets to Malta is permitted after approval from the competent authorities. The pets must however first be kept in quarantine for a short period of time. The pet imported into Malta must have an import permit issued by the Director of Veterinary Service prior to import. It is important to apply some weeks before, to allow for vaccination and resting beforehand.The animal must also have a veterinary health certificate issued by a recognised veterinarian, just before travelling to Malta, stating that the animal is healthy and shows no evidence of clinical disease or parasitic infection, and that it has been vaccinated against rabies by an inactivated vaccine not less than 30 days and no more than six months before export. The animal has to be consigned to Malta directly from the country of origin either by air or ship securely crated as freight so that it appears on the cargo manifest.
No Pit Bull Terriers or crosses may be imported into Malta, otherwise a cat or dog must have a certificate issued by the government veterinary service, declaring that the country of origin has been free of rabies for six months before the departure of the pet. The certificate must also declare that the country of origin has an official policy for the strict control of animal importation. Furthermore, if a cat or dog originates from a non-free rabies country, it has to be certified that it originates from an area free of rabies.
The Ministry for Food, Agriculture and Fisheries Veterinary Service (Telephone: +356 2123 9968 or +356 2122 593 ) in Malta must be notified of the exact date of the animal's arrival at least one week before and also whether the animal will be accompanied or not. Call the Quarantine Station on +356 2124 4236 with flight or vessel details.
The importation of animals is only allowed during office hours - 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Animals will not be accepted on Saturdays, Sundays or public holidays.
Cats and dogs imported from the United Kingdom and some other European countries are quarantined at the Small Animal Quarantine Section at Luqa for three weeks, from other countries the quarantine period can be up to six months. An import licence, from the Department of Trade, and an entry form (Number 2) from the Customs Department must be completed before the release of the cat or dog from quarantine.Make sure one gets all information and that correct papers and tests (blood) are prepared before arrival in Malta to avoid any disappointment.
You may call the Director of Veterinary Service for further information:
Director of Veterinary Service, Albertown, Marsa Tel: (+356) 2122 5638