Your first 90 days in Malta: the arrival checklist
The visa got you in — this is what turns you into a functioning resident: the registration clock, the ID number everything else depends on, and the money, healthcare, and license steps in the order they actually unlock. Each step links the official source so you can verify the current rule.
Checked against official sources · July 2026 · how we verify
The catch that burns new arrivals
Bank onboarding measured in months, not days — arrivals who assume a quick local IBAN for rent, deposits and scheme requirements get stuck; Revolut is the de facto fix.
The checklist, in the order it unlocks
eResidence card — biometrics with Identità (Expatriates Unit); Residency Malta for nomad permits
After arrival, before the 90-day visa/visa-free window ends; most permits are pre-approved from abroad
The card takes roughly 8-10 weeks; the interim receipt proves legal stay but is not valid for re-entry after leaving Malta, which commonly collides with travel plans.
Get your TIN (Tax Identification Number) from the Commissioner for Tax and Customs
Needed for tax filings and the nomad/retirement schemes' tax status; the eResidence ID number anchors most other paperwork.
Non-Maltese nationals register as taxpayers with the CFR via the expatriate registration process, typically once the residence card issues; employers and tax agents commonly handle it.
Open a bank account
Opening a Maltese bank account is notoriously slow — weeks to months of compliance checks, proof of residence and reference letters; most arrivals live on Revolut (ubiquitous in Malta) in the meantime.
Enrol in healthcare
Public care requires paying Maltese social security (employment or self-employment) and an entitlement certificate; nomad and other scheme residents must hold full private insurance — no contributions, no public cover.
Sort your driver's license
US licences are not on Malta's exchange list (only EU/EEA, UK, Australia, Switzerland, UAE): driving is allowed up to 12 months from entry, then the full Maltese theory and practical tests apply.
Deadlines and requirements vary by nationality, visa type, and region, and they change — this is information current as of 2026, not legal or immigration advice. Verify each step with the official source before you rely on it.
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Information only, not legal advice — we never file anything with any government. Requirements change; verify with the official source or a licensed immigration advisor before you apply.
First 90 days in Malta: FAQ
What do I have to do first after arriving in Malta?
eResidence card — biometrics with Identità (Expatriates Unit); Residency Malta for nomad permits — After arrival, before the 90-day visa/visa-free window ends; most permits are pre-approved from abroad. The card takes roughly 8-10 weeks; the interim receipt proves legal stay but is not valid for re-entry after leaving Malta, which commonly collides with travel plans. Verify the current rule with the official source before you rely on it.
What is the TIN and do I need one?
TIN (Tax Identification Number) from the Commissioner for Tax and Customs is Malta's personal tax/ID number. Needed for tax filings and the nomad/retirement schemes' tax status; the eResidence ID number anchors most other paperwork. Non-Maltese nationals register as taxpayers with the CFR via the expatriate registration process, typically once the residence card issues; employers and tax agents commonly handle it.
Can I drive in Malta on a US license?
US licences are not on Malta's exchange list (only EU/EEA, UK, Australia, Switzerland, UAE): driving is allowed up to 12 months from entry, then the full Maltese theory and practical tests apply. Rules differ by nationality and change — check the official source before the window closes.
How do I get healthcare after moving to Malta?
Public care requires paying Maltese social security (employment or self-employment) and an entitlement certificate; nomad and other scheme residents must hold full private insurance — no contributions, no public cover. See our healthcare-systems guide for how Malta's system treats foreign residents.