Importing and Registering a Vehicle in Malta

If you bring your own car to live in Malta, you normally must register it with Transport Malta within 30 days of arrival. The registration tax can be the largest cost, so estimate it from the exact vehicle before shipping. Do not rely on a seller's or mover's verbal tax estimate.

EU vehicle: practical sequence

1. Collect the original foreign registration certificate/logbook, purchase invoice where relevant, conformity/technical data and identity/residence evidence.
2. Notify/book through Transport Malta's current imported-vehicle process and obtain the vehicle valuation using the official valuation system.
3. Present the vehicle for inspection. The currently published inspection fee is €55.
4. Provide the original registration documents, mileage/technical evidence, valid roadworthiness test where accepted, insurance and any customs/VAT evidence required.
5. Pay registration tax, the €15 registration fee, annual circulation licence and plate fees.
6. Receive Malta plates/logbook and verify chassis number, engine details, emissions, owner and licence expiry.

Vehicles from outside the EU add customs import/VAT formalities and may require evidence of type approval or individual approval before registration. Engage a customs agent before shipment if the vehicle specification was not built for the EU market.

Transfer-of-residence tax relief

A person transferring normal residence may qualify for an exemption from registration tax only if every condition is met, including ownership/use periods and deadlines. Apply for the exemption using Transport Malta's route and obtain approval; living abroad or owning the car is not enough by itself. Shipping before checking eligibility can create an expensive irreversible decision.

Cost worksheet

Budget separately for:

• Shipping/ferry and port handling
• Customs duty/VAT if applicable
• Registration tax from the official valuation
• €55 inspection and €15 registration fee
• Plates and annual circulation licence
• Malta insurance
• Repairs needed for inspection/VRT and any headlamp/specification conversion
• Agent/storage costs if documents are delayed

Compare that all-in amount with the Malta market value of the same model and the cost of selling before moving.

Ask before shipping

• Is the exact chassis/type approved for Malta registration?
• Which original registration document must be surrendered?
• Does the current roadworthiness certificate transfer?
• Am I eligible for transfer-of-residence relief and by what deadline?
• What registration-tax value does Transport Malta show today?
• Can the insurer cover the car by chassis number before plates issue?

Read driving licences in Malta separately; registering the car does not settle the driver's licence status.

Last reviewed: 9 August 2026. Registration tax and forms are vehicle-specific; obtain the live Transport Malta valuation and checklist before shipping.