Russia Visa RequirementsFor Malta passport holders
Malta passport holders need a Russian visa in advance. Standard tourist visas cost approximately USD 160. Practical travel is severely complicated by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and EU sanctions.
Malta passport holders require a visa to enter Russia.
Visa required. Conditions are extremely difficult: the Russian Embassy in Malta may have limited operations; direct flights between the EU and Russia are suspended; and EU governments, including Malta, issue strong "do not travel" advisories for Russia. A tourist voucher from a registered Russian tour operator is required. Transit via third countries (Turkey, UAE, Armenia) is necessary. Strongly check the latest official travel advisories before proceeding.
Entry Requirements
Passport Validity
6 months beyond date of entry
Blank Pages
2 blank pages required
Multiple Entry
Single entry only
Work Permitted
No - requires work visa
Required Documents
For Your Visa Application
Valid Malta Passport
Minimum 6 months validity with at least 2 blank pages.
Tourist Voucher from Russian Tour Operator
Required before applying for the visa.
Completed Russian Visa Application Form
Available at the Russian Embassy website.
2 Passport-sized Photographs
Recent photographs.
Travel Health Insurance
Mandatory coverage for duration of stay in Russia.
Visa Fee: approx USD 160
Payable at time of application.
Required at Entry
Valid Malta Passport with Russian Visa
Present at immigration.
Migration Card
Completed on arrival; keep until departure.
Current Travel Situation
Malta to Russia: What You Need to Know
Russia is the world's largest country by land area (17.1 million km2) and was an important European cultural tourism destination before 2022. Malta and Russia have historical connections through the Order of St. John: Tsar Paul I of Russia was elected Grand Master of the Order of Malta in 1799, and the Russian navy's relationship with the Mediterranean passed through Malta. The Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg holds one of the world's greatest art collections. Moscow's Kremlin and Red Square and the Trans-Siberian Railway were major European tourism draws. All of this is now effectively inaccessible due to the Ukraine war.
How to Get There
No direct flights operate between Malta and Russia as of 2024. All EU-Russia airspace is mutually closed. Travel requires third-country transit (Istanbul, Dubai, Almaty). Journey times are 12+ hours and considerably more expensive than pre-2022.
Money & Banking
Russia uses the ruble (RUB). Western financial systems (SWIFT, Visa, Mastercard) are cut off from Russia. Western bank cards do not function. Currency exchange and financial logistics are extremely challenging.
Practical Tips
In normal circumstances (pre-2022): Moscow (Kremlin, Red Square, GUM, Bolshoi Theatre, Tretyakov Gallery), St. Petersburg (the Hermitage, Peterhof, the Church on the Spilled Blood, White Nights in June-July), the Golden Ring (medieval cities northeast of Moscow: Sergiev Posad, Suzdal, Vladimir), and the Trans-Siberian Railway. Currently, leisure travel is effectively suspended for EU citizens.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Malta citizens need a visa for Russia?
Yes. A tourist visa is required. Practical travel from Malta to Russia is currently extremely complicated due to the war in Ukraine, suspended flights, banking restrictions, and strong government travel advisories against visiting Russia.
Has Malta imposed sanctions on Russia?
Yes. Malta, as an EU member state, implements EU-wide sanctions against Russia following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. These include asset freezes, travel bans on designated individuals, banking restrictions, and import/export prohibitions on certain goods.
What was historically significant about Malta and Russia?
Tsar Paul I of Russia was elected Grand Master of the Order of Malta in 1799, following Napoleon's capture of Malta and the Knights' exile. Paul I considered Malta a Russian protectorate and wanted to establish a Russian naval base there. This episode represents one of the more unusual chapters in Malta-Russia relations. Malta's warm-water harbor was strategically coveted by the Russian Navy throughout the 19th century.
What were Russia's main tourist attractions before 2022?
Moscow (Red Square, St. Basil's Cathedral, the Kremlin, the Bolshoi Theatre, the Tretyakov Gallery), St. Petersburg (the Hermitage Museum, Peterhof Palace, the Church on the Spilled Blood, the Russian Museum, White Nights in June-July), the Trans-Siberian Railway, Lake Baikal, and the volcanic landscapes of Kamchatka.
When might normal travel to Russia resume?
There is no predictable timeline. Normal tourism to Russia from Malta and EU countries is unlikely until the war in Ukraine ends and EU-Russia diplomatic and economic relations are normalized. This could take years.
Are there safety concerns for EU citizens in Russia currently?
Yes. EU governments including Malta issue "do not travel" advisories for Russia due to the risk of arbitrary detention, the unpredictability of enforcement of Russian laws, the inability of EU governments to provide normal consular assistance (given the diplomatic tensions), and general security concerns related to the conflict in Ukraine.