How to get an ID Card in Malta (e-Residence card)
If you intend to reside in Malta for longer than three months, you’re required to get a Maltese ID. To be more specific, foreigners apply for an e-Residence card that is issued by Identity Malta in Msida. Having an e-residence / ID card in Malta will make life more convenient, as you don’t need to prove your residence in different situations by lease agreements, work contracts and other documents – just show our e-residence card, and you’re good to go. So here is our article how to vet an ID Card in Malta.
Please note that getting an apartment, Social Security number, and a Tax number are the most urgent tasks before this step, so do not stress about your ID before everything else is sorted. If you haven’t fixed those priorities yet, check our Living in Malta guide, which covers all the necessary things to organise when moving to Malta.
Once you’ve ticked everything off of our previous list, you’re ready to jump into this ID process. This one needs a little bit more time and preparation than the previous paperwork you’ve done, since you’ll have to submit the application and all the attachments in person. But don’t worry, we wrote the process down to guide you through this jungle of paperwork. Just follow these steps and you’ll be fine!
- Find and print out the forms you need to fill out. It may get confusing with all possible forms, so let’s narrow the list down a bit.
- If you’re an EU national and you’ve moved to Malta to work and live, the forms that you’ll most probably need are Form A and Form ID1A. Be prepared that once you’re at the office, they might ask you to fill out some other forms as well. As you can see from the forms, in addition to your personal details, you’ll need information about your employer. Ask your supervisor/HR department to give you the details that are required.
- If you’re still confused, do not worry about it. One way to make sure which are exactly the right forms for you is to visit Identity Malta Head Office Msida and get the right papers from the office. It just means that you’ll probably need to pay there a visit more than once. Luckily Valletta is a beautiful city to explore, so keep your eyes open while handling your paperwork!
Prepare at least the following attachments in addition to the forms that you’ve printed and filled out. Make sure to grab both the original document AND a photocopy of each paper. Read your forms carefully, as there might be some additional attachments that are required but not listed below. If you have a birth certificate from your home country registry office, it is certainly a good thing to get it with you.
- Passport
- Lease agreement
- Work contract from your employer or ETC engagement form issued by Employment & Training Corporation ( You will get this paper from Job Vacancy Centre in Valletta. )
- Form A and Form 1D1A
IDENTITY MALTA’s OFFICE HAS RELOCATED FROM VALLETTA TO MSIDA.
Take a morning off. When you’ve got the forms all filled out and the attachments are more than ready, clear your calendar for one morning and pay a visit at Identity Malta Head Office in Msida. Depending on where you live, you can take a bus and walk from the bus station to the office. You can get there by busses; 41, 43, 44, 45, 46, 48, 50, 54, 56, 280. The nearest bus stops are PONT or ZERNIEQ. The reception desk for residence applications is usually open from Monday to Friday between 7:30 and 14:00. Wednesdays offices are open also at afternoons from 15:00 to 18:00. For those that are unable to visit during working days, office also open Saturday mornings from 7:30 to 11:00. Check the detailed schedule and contact details on their website. If there’s a queue, make sure you’re standing in the right one; more than one expat has been standing in line for an hour only to notice that it wasn’t even the right one. Boldly asking for advice is thus recommended. If there are any missing documents or details, you’ll get further advice at the reception desk.
With these steps, you should get your e-residence card within a couple of weeks. Usually it takes little bit longer, max. 6 weeks, especially if there is loads of new card applications in line. When your new ID-card is ready, you will receive a notice letter to your home address by mail. With the notice letter and your passport, you can pick your new ID-card from the Identity Malta Head Office in Msida.
We wish you good luck with the paperwork.
Identity Malta Head Office Msida
Opening hours:
Monday to Friday 7.30-14:00
Wednesday 7:30-14.00 & 15.00-18.00
Saturday 7.30-11.00
Triq Il-Wied ( Valley Road, Msida )
You can get here with busses
41, 43, 44, 45, 46, 48, 50, 54, 56, 280.
Nearest bus stops PONT and/or ZERNIEQ.
Link to map
Valletta Job Vacancy Centre,
St Zachary Street, Valletta
Opening hours Mon-Fri 8.00-12.00 and Mon-Thu 13.30-15.00
How to get an ID Card in Malta
Our two earlier guides: