Get in touch+44 (0)1725 551124
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Get in touch+44 (0)1725 551124
Get a QuoteMany people and their pets travel to Malta to emigrate for warmer weather and a different way of life. Malta is an island in the Mediterranean which is also free from Rabies and free from a horrible tapeworm called Echinococcus – which can also infect humans and is very prevalent across mainland Europe.
There are many direct flights from UK to Malta, but many can’t be used for pet travel as they either arrive too late for the pets to be cleared or they are operated by an airline which will not carry pets, such as Ryanair or Easyjet. It is always best to check which flights can take pets, but be warned that this can change at a moment’s notice. We generally use Air Malta or Thomson Airways, but will use others depending on availability.
As of January 1st 2021 there have been some changes to the requirement for European pet travel, read more about these here.
In terms of preparation for a cat or a dog to travel to Malta, then they need a microchip and rabies vaccination at least 21 days before travel and then the pets need the appropriate documentation – which can all be done with your local vets. And also for Malta they need an import permit, which has to be applied for from the Agriculture department of Malta at least 2 weeks before travel. This give the Maltese authorities a chance to check all the documents comply with their entry requirements before they allow entry of the pets. All pets will need to be checked by a vet in the 10 days before the flight to ensure they are fit and healthy enough to undertake a journey by air, and also they will need a worming treatment to help prevent the transmission of Echinococcus – the nasty worm which can affect humans
Malta is very strict on bringing pets as commercial imports or as non-commercial imports. Commercial imports are pets who are deemed to be imported to be sold and non-commercial pets are exactly that – pets who are owned by their owners. Pets who are owned by their owners for at least 6 months before flight, over 6 months old and the owner is flying within 5 days of the pets (ideally on the same flight) are deemed non-commercial and their import to Malta is reasonably simple. If any of the above are not the case then you need to seek advice from either PetAir UK or from the Maltese authorities. As commercial imports of dogs and cats to Malta require different paperwork compared to non-commercial imports.
All in all, flying dogs and cats to Malta is a little more complex than some nations and getting all the help you can in the first instance is thoroughly recommended. At PetAir UK , we can do the final checks, apply for the import permit and advise on the best and most current flights available.
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