Portugal Visa RequirementsFor Malta passport holders
Portugal and Malta are both EU and Schengen members. Malta passport holders travel freely to Portugal with no visa requirements.
Great news! Malta passport holders can enter Portugal without a visa for tourism or business purposes.
No visa required. Malta national ID card sufficient. No Schengen border checks. EU freedom of movement applies for long-term stays. Portugal uses the euro.
Portugal 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 departure from Schengen
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 within the EU.
Current Travel Situation
Malta to Portugal: What You Need to Know
Portugal and Malta share deep Atlantic and Mediterranean connections as two of the EU's oldest maritime nations. Both have strong emigration histories and significant diaspora communities abroad. Portugal's 10.3 million people inhabit the westernmost country of continental Europe, on the Atlantic coast of the Iberian Peninsula, as well as the Azores and Madeira archipelagos (both autonomous regions and EU territory). The Portuguese language connects Portugal to Brazil, Angola, Mozambique, Cape Verde, and several other nations, making it a global cultural force disproportionate to its size.
How to Get There
Lisbon and Porto are both served by direct flights from Malta. TAP Portugal and Ryanair serve the route. Flight time approximately 2.5 hours. The Algarve (Faro) also has direct summer flights from Malta.
Money & Banking
Portugal uses the euro (EUR). Portugal is one of Western Europe's most affordable destinations: pastel de nata EUR 1.20, prato do dia (set lunch) EUR 8-12, restaurant dinner EUR 15-25, hotel rooms EUR 80-160/night. Vinho Verde wines and Alentejo reds are world-class at affordable prices.
Practical Tips
Lisbon: the Alfama district and Sao Jorge Castle, the Time Out Market (Lisbon's best food hall), Belem Tower and Jeronimos Monastery (UNESCO, the golden age of exploration embodied in Manueline stone), the LX Factory creative hub, and Sintra (UNESCO, 40 minutes by train, the fairy-tale palaces of Pena, Queluz, and Monserrate). Porto: the Ribeira waterfront (UNESCO), the port wine lodges of Vila Nova de Gaia (the Taylor's and Graham's tours), and the Douro Valley wine train to Pinhao. Algarve: the rock formations of Ponta da Piedade, Praia da Marinha, and the historic hilltop town of Silves.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Malta citizens need a visa for Portugal?
No. Portugal and Malta are both EU and Schengen members. No visa required.
What is fado music?
Fado (meaning "fate") is Portugal's national music: a melancholic, soulful vocal tradition accompanied by the Portuguese guitar (guitarra portuguesa, with 12 strings and a unique tuning) and bass guitar. It expresses saudade, the bittersweet longing for what is lost or absent. Fado was added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2011. Lisbon (Alfama district) and Coimbra are the main fado traditions.
What is the most unique thing about Lisbon?
Lisbon's seven hills (colinas) give it a dramatic vertical topography that requires trams and funiculars (elevadores) to navigate. The vintage yellow Tram 28 route through Alfama and Graca is the quintessential Lisbon experience, though very crowded. The Ascensor da Bica, Ascensor da Gloria, and Elevador de Santa Justa are the famous funiculars.
What are the Azores?
The Azores is an autonomous region of Portugal comprising 9 volcanic islands in the North Atlantic, 1,500km west of Lisbon. They are EU territory (Schengen applies, no visa needed for Maltese travelers). The islands are known for dramatic calderas (Sete Cidades, Furnas), whale watching (the world's best shore-based cetacean watching), hot springs, and the greenest landscapes in Portugal.
Can I visit Madeira as a Malta citizen without a visa?
Yes. Madeira is an autonomous region of Portugal and EU/Schengen territory. Malta citizens visit visa-free. Madeira (the Flower Island) is known for its dramatic volcanic landscape, levada irrigation canal walks (unique to Madeira), Madeira wine, toboggan rides in Monte, and as the birthplace of Cristiano Ronaldo.
What is bacalhau?
Bacalhau is dried and salted cod, the foundation of Portuguese cuisine. There are supposedly over 365 traditional bacalhau recipes (one for every day of the year). Key preparations: bacalhau a Bras (shredded cod with eggs, onions, and potatoes, topped with olives and parsley), bacalhau com natas (cod with cream), and bolinhos de bacalhau (fried cod fritters, the perfect bar snack).