South Korea Visa RequirementsFor Malta passport holders
Malta passport holders can visit South Korea visa-free for up to 90 days for tourism or business.
Great news! Malta passport holders can enter South Korea without a visa for tourism or business purposes. You can stay up to 90 days.
No visa required for stays up to 90 days. K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) was suspended for EU citizens through 2025 (verify current status before travel). Passport must be valid for duration of stay. Proof of onward travel recommended.
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
Valid Malta Passport
Must be valid for the duration of stay.
Return or Onward Ticket
Proof of departure from South Korea recommended.
Proof of Sufficient Funds Recommended
Immigration may ask for evidence.
Current Travel Situation
Malta to South Korea: What You Need to Know
South Korea is a dynamic East Asian democracy of 51 million people with the world's 12th-largest economy and global cultural influence through K-pop, K-dramas, and Korean cuisine. Malta's English-speaking young population is particularly attuned to Korean pop culture (BTS, BLACKPINK, and Korean streaming content are popular in Malta). Seoul is a city of 10 million (25 million metro) simultaneously ancient (Joseon palaces from the 1390s) and hyper-modern. South Korea has superb transport infrastructure, among the world's fastest internet speeds, and is extremely safe for tourists.
How to Get There
Seoul Incheon Airport (ICN) is a major Asian hub. Flights from Malta connect via Frankfurt, Amsterdam, or Dubai. Korean Air, Asiana, and Lufthansa offer options. Total journey approximately 13-15 hours.
Money & Banking
South Korea uses the won (KRW). South Korea is excellent value: kimbap or tteokbokki at a pojangmacha (street stall) KRW 4,000-8,000 (EUR 3-6), sit-down restaurant KRW 10,000-25,000 per person, hotel rooms KRW 80,000-200,000/night. T-money card works on all public transit nationwide.
Practical Tips
Seoul: Gyeongbokgung Palace (best at sunrise, free on national holidays), Bukchon Hanok Village (traditional Korean houses, walk through on a weekday morning), the DMZ tour (Panmunjom Joint Security Area, requires advance booking, a 2-4 hour bus tour from Seoul), Myeongdong for K-beauty shopping, Insadong for crafts, and Hongdae for nightlife and street performances. Jeju Island (50-minute flight from Seoul): volcanic Hallasan mountain, dramatic coastal lava formations, Manjanggul lava tube (UNESCO). Gyeongju (45 minutes from Busan): the ancient Silla kingdom capital with royal burial mounds and Bulguksa Temple (UNESCO).
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Malta citizens need a visa for South Korea?
No. Malta passport holders can visit South Korea visa-free for up to 90 days for tourism or business.
What is K-pop and why is it globally significant?
K-pop (Korean popular music) is a music and entertainment genre originating in South Korea characterized by polished production, synchronized choreography, multilingual lyrics, and an extremely organized fan culture (fandoms). Artists like BTS, BLACKPINK, EXO, and NewJeans have achieved global commercial success unprecedented for non-English language music. The K-pop industry generates billions in revenue and is a major driver of South Korean tourism.
What is Korean BBQ?
Korean BBQ (gogi-gui) involves grilling marinated meat (bulgogi, galbi short ribs, samgyeopsal pork belly) on a grill built into the restaurant table, typically ventilated by a large hood above. The meat is wrapped in lettuce or perilla leaves with garlic, ssamjang (paste), kimchi, and rice. It is a communal, social dining experience. A full Korean BBQ dinner for two costs approximately KRW 30,000-60,000 (EUR 20-45).
What is the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ)?
The DMZ is the 4km-wide buffer zone running 250km across the Korean peninsula dividing North and South Korea, established by the 1953 Korean War armistice. It is paradoxically one of the world's most biodiverse ecosystems (untouched by development for 70 years) and most militarized zones simultaneously. Day tours from Seoul to Panmunjom Joint Security Area (where visitors can stand inside North Korea in the conference room) and the Third Infiltration Tunnel are highly recommended.
What is kimchi?
Kimchi is Korea's national condiment and most iconic dish: vegetables (most commonly napa cabbage, also radish, cucumber, scallion) fermented with gochugaru (red pepper flakes), garlic, ginger, and salted shrimp or fish sauce. Over 200 varieties exist. It is served as a banchan (side dish) at virtually every Korean meal and is used as an ingredient in kimchi jjigae stew, kimchi fried rice, and kimchi pancakes. The kimjang (communal kimchi-making) tradition is UNESCO-recognized.
What is Seoul's food market culture?
Seoul's food markets are extraordinary: Gwangjang Market (covered traditional market since 1905, famous for bindaetteok mung bean pancakes, raw beef yukhoe, and makgeolli rice wine), Namdaemun Market (the largest traditional market, best for street snacks: hotteok sweet pancakes, gyeranppang egg bread), and the Mangwon Saturday Market (hipster farmers' market with natural wine and artisan food).