Temporary protection: Malta
🛰️ Varta monitors 9 official sources for this country — checked daily.
Legal basis: EU Temporary Protection Directive 2001/55/EC + Identity Documents Act (Chapter 258 of the Laws of Malta) for the mandatory residence permit • status valid until 04/03/2027 • already extended until 04/03/2028
Steps
- 1
Book an IPA appointment
Book by email at frontoffice@ipa.gov.mt or by phone +356 21255257. At the appointment you will be briefed on choosing between temporary protection and international protection (you cannot hold both).
📍 IPA, Fafner House, Triq Nazzjonali, Ħamrun⏰ No deadline, but as soon as possible💳 Free - 2
File the request in person (TP Request Form)
On the day you fill in the TP Request Form (with an interpreter if needed), are interviewed by an IPA officer and photographed. Applying via relatives is not possible — even children attend in person. Expect long waits.
📍 IPA, Ħamrun (Mon–Fri 08:00–12:00)⏰ Per your appointment💳 Free - 3
Receive the Temporary Protection certificate
If you meet the criteria (Ukrainian nationals resident in Ukraine before 24.02.2022, their family members etc.), IPA issues the certificate. A refusal is given in writing — you may then apply for international protection.
📍 IPA, Ħamrun💳 Free - 4
Apply for the residence card at Identità
The residence card is MANDATORY (Identity Documents Act, Cap. 258). Book by email at noneu.identita@gov.mt. Submit Form I, the lease agreement, the Housing Authority letter and the IPA certificate. Fee €27.50 per person (children included) — card payment only.
📍 Identità — Expatriates Unit, Valley Road, Msida MSD 9020⏰ After receiving the IPA certificate💳 €27.50 per person (card only) - 5
Do the medical check and register for work and benefits
A medical check is mandatory per Public Health instructions (Qormi Health Centre). For work, Jobsplus issues an employment licence in your own name. For benefits contact the Department of Social Security (aid equivalent to core Social Assistance — until you take up work).
📍 Qormi Health Centre / Jobsplus, Ħal Far / Social Security, Valletta⏰ After the status is granted💳 Free - 6
Renew your documents on time
Renewals are handled by appointment via the IPA email. Malta’s Home Affairs Ministry confirms that temporary-protection permits are issued until 04.03.2028. Check the printed expiry date on your document and arrange renewal with IPA before it expires.
📍 IPA, Ħamrun (by appointment)⏰ Before your documents expire💳 Free (Identità card — €27.50)
Documents
Original identity documents (passport, ID card)
requiredIPA requires originals. Ukrainian nationality is proven with a passport; for children — a birth certificate (original or printed copy).
Entry stamp into the EU after 24.02.2022
requiredPrint copies of: the passport biodata page and the pages with the EU entry stamp / EU visas / passport renewal pages.
Travel documents showing your route
requiredTickets, boarding passes etc. — anything that shows your route from Ukraine.
Proof of residence in Ukraine before 24.02.2022
if availableIPA may request further evidence of residence in Ukraine before this date.
Lease agreement + Housing Authority approval letter
requiredFor the residence card: the lease agreement, the Housing Authority letter confirming lease registration, and the Lease Agreement Attestation Form signed by the landlord and stamped by a lawyer/notary.
IPA Temporary Protection certificate
requiredIssued by IPA upon approval. Original + copy are needed for the residence card application.
Ukrainian Embassies and Consulates
Map
Document samples and how to fill them
Surname and name in LATIN letters exactly as in your passport; tick the travel document type (Passport) and enter its number, issue and expiry dates.
Property number/name, street, locality and postal code — exactly as in your lease agreement.
Completed and signed by the LANDLORD: name in block letters, ID card number, address, number of residents. Without the landlord’s signature the application is not accepted.
The IPA temporary protection certificate number, issue date and validity — copy without errors.
Signature and date (DD MM YYYY). For a child, the legal representative signs.
Attach: original+copy of the passport (blank pages not needed), original+copy of the valid IPA certificate, the Housing Authority lease registration letter, and the Lease Agreement Attestation Form stamped by a lawyer/notary.
❌ Paying in cash (card only — €27.50 per person) ❌ Lease not registered with the Housing Authority ❌ Section 03 unsigned by the landlord or the Attestation Form without a lawyer/notary stamp ❌ Address in Form I not matching the lease agreement
Name, surname, date of birth — in Latin letters as in the passport. An interpreter is provided if needed.
Ukrainian national resident in Ukraine before 24.02.2022 / family member / person with international protection or permanent residence in Ukraine. Prepare proof of your category.
Show the exit stamp from Ukraine or the EU entry stamp after 24.02.2022 and your travel route.
Photos are taken on site as part of registration — personal attendance is mandatory for everyone, children included.
❌ Arriving without a booked appointment (email/phone) ❌ No original documents (copies only — refusal possible) ❌ Trying to apply on behalf of a relative — applications are in person only ❌ No printed copies of the stamped passport pages
Benefits
Social aid (equivalent to core Social Assistance)
Holders of the temporary protection certificate. Paid until you engage in gainful activity or until your status expires.
How to apply: Department of Social Security, 38, Ordnance Street, Valletta; tel. 21255153 or freephone 153 (servizz.gov.mt)
Labour market access (employment licence)
Temporary protection holders — the same labour rights as beneficiaries of international protection.
How to apply: Jobsplus, Head Office, Birzebbuga Road, Ħal Far; tel. 22201100, freephone 153
Accommodation and social support
Temporary protection holders without housing; social/psychological support via Aġenzija Appoġġ.
How to apply: AWAS (tel. 25687200, awas@gov.mt); Appoġġ: 36, Triq San Luqa, Gwardamanga, tel. 2295 9000
State healthcare
Temporary protection holders (at minimum emergency and essential care; scope per the Medical Entitlement Unit).
How to apply: Present the IPA certificate or residence card; mandatory medical check at Qormi Health Centre
Wise — transfers without hidden fees
A multi-currency account and transfers between Ukraine and Europe at the real exchange rate. Handy for receiving salary and sending money to family.
Open a Wise accountThe price for you does not change; the commission supports our free guides.
Where to apply
International Protection Agency (IPA)
Identità — Expatriates Unit (residence card)
AWAS — Agency for the Welfare of Asylum Seekers (accommodation)
Contacts
What happens after protection ends
The EU Council extended temporary protection until 04.03.2028 (decision of 30.07.2026; new applicants will face conditions linked to military obligations). After protection ends in Malta: switch to work-based permits (single permit via Identità with an employer), study routes, or apply for international protection (cannot be held concurrently with temporary protection). Years under temporary protection generally do not count towards long-term residence — plan ahead.
What happens when protection ends
These are options for the future — you will need to choose ONE, and not now.
These routes are available outside temporary protection — work, study, family, business, etc.
The description below is a general scheme, similar across countries. Check exact requirements, fees and timelines via the official link in each card — they differ by country and change over time.
💼 Work-based residence — Malta
Those with a valid employment contract in this country.
Passport; employment contract; proof of residence. Authority: International Protection Agency (IPA).
- Foreign passport
- Employment contract
- Proof of residence
- Health insurance (optional)
International Protection Agency (IPA)
The employer or the applicant files; the immigration authority decides.
Before the current status or permit expires.
- Collect the card/decision
- Register address and social number
Renewable together with the contract.
Usually switchable from temporary protection without leaving.
🎓 Study — Malta
Enrolment at an accredited institution.
Acceptance letter; proof of funds; housing; insurance.
- Foreign passport
- Acceptance letter
- Proof of funds
- Health insurance (optional)
International Protection Agency (IPA)
Apply via the institution or the immigration authority.
Before the semester starts.
- Register at the institution and locally
Yearly with continued studies.
Usually switchable from temporary protection without leaving.
👨👩👧👦 Family reunification — Malta
Spouse, children or relatives of a resident or citizen.
Marriage/birth certificates; housing; sponsor income.
- Foreign passport
- Marriage/birth certificate
- Sponsor income proof
- Proof of residence
International Protection Agency (IPA)
The sponsor or family files; documents need apostille and translation.
Before the current status expires.
- Collect the family member card
Renewable; a path to permanent residence.
Usually switchable from temporary protection without leaving.
🏢 Self-employment/business — Malta
Company or self-employment registration; business plan or contracts.
Registration documents; tax number; funds; housing.
- Foreign passport
- Company/self-employment registration
- Business plan or contracts (optional)
- Proof of residence
International Protection Agency (IPA)
Register the business, then apply for residence as an entrepreneur.
Before the current status expires.
- Tax registration and bank account
Tied to the company activity.
Usually switchable from temporary protection without leaving.
🏠 Permanent residence — Malta
Usually after 5 years of continuous legal residence.
Stable income; housing; integration/language per national rules.
- Foreign passport
- Income proof
- Proof of residence
- Language/integration certificate (optional)
International Protection Agency (IPA)
Apply once the required residence period is met.
After the required residence period is met.
- Obtain permanent resident status
Permanent status; card replaced periodically.
Temporary protection time often counts towards the period (per national rules).
Opportunities: housing, jobs, grants
5 verified programmes: housing support, job portals, business grants, free courses — with direct official links and verification dates. Available with Varta.
Forms & samples (PDF)
FAQ
Can I visit Ukraine and keep my status?
NO. Per IPA’s official position, travelling back to Ukraine entails forfeiting temporary protection in Malta — the status will be withdrawn. Travel within the EU is allowed for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
What about an expired or non-biometric passport?
IPA requires original identity documents: a passport (incl. internal) or another identity document, but without originals temporary protection may be refused. If documents are missing, contact the Ukrainian embassy to obtain a passport and consider applying for international protection.
Do I need to do anything to keep my protection after the current period?
IPA’s main answer on validity now gives 4 March 2028, while older references to 2027 remain on the page. The general protection date is not necessarily the date on your document or its replacement deadline. We have not confirmed a universal application window for the next renewal round. Before your document expires, contact IPA for individual instructions and an appointment: +356 21255257. Source: https://ipa.gov.mt/temporary-protection/ (reviewed 10 September 2026).
Can I work in Malta?
Yes. Temporary protection holders can access the labour market: Jobsplus issues an employment licence in your own name (freephone 153). You have the same labour rights as beneficiaries of international protection. For business activity, consult Jobsplus.
What financial aid can I receive?
Temporary protection holders can receive aid equivalent to core Social Assistance — from the issue of the certificate until employment (or status expiry). Contact the Department of Social Security (38, Ordnance Street, Valletta, tel. 21255153) or freephone 153.
- IPA — Temporary Protection FAQ (офіційно) ✓
- МВС Мальти — Temporary Protection Directive та строк до 04.03.2028 ✓
- Identità — Expatriates Unit ✓
- UNHCR Malta — Information for people arriving from Ukraine
- Рада ЄС — продовження тимчасового захисту до 04.03.2028 ✓
This information is for reference only and is not legal advice.