Croatia Visa RequirementsFor Malta passport holders
Croatia joined the Schengen Area in January 2023. Malta passport holders now travel to Croatia as part of the single Schengen zone with no border checks.
Great news! Malta passport holders can enter Croatia without a visa for tourism or business purposes.
No visa required. Malta national ID card sufficient. Standard Schengen rules apply. Croatia uses the euro, making transactions straightforward.
Croatia is part of the Schengen Area. Your stay counts toward the 90-day limit within any 180-day period for the entire Schengen zone. Learn more about Schengen rules →
Entry Requirements
Passport Validity
3 months beyond date of entry
Blank Pages
2 blank pages required
Multiple Entry
Single entry only
Work Permitted
No - requires work visa
Required Documents
Valid Malta Passport or National ID
National ID card accepted as Croatia is EU/Schengen.
Current Travel Situation
Malta to Croatia: What You Need to Know
Croatia and Malta share an important similarity as two of the EU's smallest member states, both Mediterranean island or coastal nations with strong tourism economies. Croatia completed its Schengen and eurozone integration on January 1, 2023. The Dalmatian coast, with its 1,200 islands, crystal-clear Adriatic waters, and Venetian-influenced coastal cities, attracts many Mediterranean travelers. The island of Hvar and the walled old city of Dubrovnik are particularly popular with Maltese visitors given the short flight times and cultural Mediterranean affinity.
How to Get There
Croatia is about 1.5-2 hours by direct or one-stop flight from Malta. Split, Dubrovnik, and Zagreb all have flight connections. Summer direct charter flights from Malta increase frequency significantly.
Money & Banking
Croatia uses the euro (EUR). Croatia is moderately priced but coastal resort areas are expensive in July-August: grilled fish on the coast EUR 20-35, island accommodation EUR 80-200/night. Shoulder season (May-June, September) offers much better value and fewer crowds.
Practical Tips
Dubrovnik: the walled old city (walk the city walls for harbor views), Cable Car to Mount Srd, and boat trips to the Elaphiti Islands or Mljet Island National Park. Split: Diocletian's Palace (a Roman emperor's retirement home that became a living city), the Meje beachfront, and ferries to the islands. Hvar: lavender fields, the hilltop fortress, and Pakleni Islands coves for swimming. Plitvice Lakes National Park: UNESCO-listed cascading lakes and waterfalls, best in spring and early autumn.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Malta citizens need a visa for Croatia?
No. Croatia joined the Schengen Area on January 1, 2023. Malta and Croatia are both EU and Schengen members.
Is there a ferry connection between Malta and Croatia?
No direct regular ferry operates between Malta and Croatia. The most practical route is by direct flight (1.5-2 hours). In summer, Croatia can be combined with a trip to Italy and ferries connect Bari (Italy) to Split or Dubrovnik.
What do Malta and Croatia have in common?
Both are small Mediterranean island or coastal EU states with UNESCO-listed capital cities (Valletta and Dubrovnik), strong Catholic traditions, significant tourism economies, Adriatic/Mediterranean seaside cultures, ancient fortified towns, and island territories.
What is the Adriatic coast like compared to Malta?
The Croatian Adriatic coast is typically calmer and more sheltered (fjord-like inlets and islands create protected waters), with more opportunities for sailing and island-hopping. Malta's coast is more open-sea Mediterranean. Water clarity in both is exceptional. Croatian island culture (stone villages, olive groves, wine) is similar in character to Maltese traditional culture.
What is the must-eat food in Croatia?
Fresh grilled fish (brancin/sea bass, orada/sea bream) with olive oil and herbs, black risotto (crni rizot, made with cuttlefish ink), Peka (octopus or lamb slow-cooked under a bell-shaped iron lid covered with embers), Istrian truffles, and Dalmation prsut (cured ham). Croatian wines (Posip and Grasevina whites, Plavac Mali reds) are excellent.
Is Dubrovnik too crowded?
Dubrovnik has managed overtourism better since implementing visitor caps on the city walls. Avoid peak July-August if possible. The city is most beautiful at dawn and dusk when day-trippers have left. Staying in one of the Three Islands (Lopud, Sipan, Kolocep) accessible by ferry gives a quieter base.