Turkey Visa RequirementsFor Malta passport holders
Malta passport holders can visit Turkey visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period for tourism or business.
Great news! Malta passport holders can enter Turkey without a visa for tourism or business purposes. You can stay up to 90 days.
No visa required for Luxembourg citizens for stays up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Passport must be valid for at least 6 months. Tourist health insurance strongly recommended though not mandatory.
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
Minimum 6 months validity.
Return or Onward Ticket Recommended
Proof of departure from Turkey recommended.
Travel Health Insurance Recommended
Not mandatory but strongly recommended.
Current Travel Situation
Malta to Turkey: What You Need to Know
Turkey is a transcontinental nation of 85 million people straddling Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus Strait. Malta and Turkey share deep historical connections: the Ottoman Empire besieged Malta in the Great Siege of 1565 (the Knights of St. John, under Grand Master Jean de la Valette, successfully defended Malta against an Ottoman force under Suleiman the Magnificent). This historical encounter defines both nations' identities and connects their histories. Istanbul, spanning two continents, is one of the world's truly singular cities with 3,000 years of history as Byzantium, Constantinople, and Istanbul.
How to Get There
Istanbul is about 3 hours by direct flight from Malta. Turkish Airlines (the airline flying to the most countries in the world) and Air Malta serve the route. Turkish Airlines has an extensive global network making Istanbul a natural hub.
Money & Banking
Turkey uses the lira (TRY). Turkey's ongoing currency depreciation makes it exceptional value for Europeans: restaurant meals TRY 200-600 (EUR 5-18), hotel rooms TRY 2,000-8,000/night, unlimited-ride Istanbul transit card TRY 200. Street food (simit, balik ekmek fish sandwiches at the Galata Bridge, borek) is outstanding and very cheap.
Practical Tips
Istanbul (minimum 4 days): Hagia Sophia (the world's most remarkable architectural transformation: church to mosque to museum to mosque again), Topkapi Palace (Ottoman imperial residence, the treasury with the Topkapi dagger and Spoonmaker's Diamond), the Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque, 6 minarets), the Grand Bazaar (4,000+ shops, best early morning), the Spice Bazaar, and an evening Bosphorus cruise at sunset. Cappadocia (1-hour flight from Istanbul): hot air balloon at sunrise is one of travel's great experiences (book months ahead). Ephesus (fly to Izmir): the Temple of Artemis and the Library of Celsus are extraordinary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Malta citizens need a visa for Turkey?
No. Malta passport holders can visit Turkey visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
What is the historical connection between Malta and Turkey?
The Ottoman Turks besieged Malta in 1565 in one of the most famous military sieges in history. The Knights of St. John (Hospitallers), under Grand Master Jean Parisot de la Valette, defended Malta against a force under Suleiman the Magnificent, ultimately repelling the Ottoman force after four months. The victory led directly to the founding of Valletta (named after de la Valette). This event defines Maltese national identity.
Is Istanbul in Europe or Asia?
Both. Istanbul is the world's only city straddling two continents: the historic peninsula (Sultanahmet, Beyazit, the Grand Bazaar) and the modern Beyoglu district are in Europe; the Kadikoy, Uskudar, and Anatolian neighborhoods are in Asia, accessible by Bosphorus ferry (approximately TRY 10). Taking the Bosphorus ferry to the Asian side for breakfast is a popular Istanbul experience.
What is Turkish coffee?
Turkish coffee is prepared by boiling very finely ground coffee with water (and optionally sugar) in a special copper pot (cezve). It is unfiltered, served in small cups with a glass of water, and the grounds settle at the bottom. Reading coffee grounds (tasseography) is a traditional practice. Turkish coffee was added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2013.
What are Turkish hammams and should I visit one?
A hammam (Turkish bath) is a steam bath combining a hot room (hararet) for sweating, a scrub (exfoliation) with a kese mitt, and optional soap massage (sabunlama). It is a deeply cultural and sensory experience. Historic hammams in Istanbul include Cemberlitas Hamami (Ottoman, 1584), Cagaloglu Hamami (1741), and Kilic Ali Pasa Hamami (Mimar Sinan, 1583). Expect to pay TRY 600-1,200 (EUR 18-36) for the full traditional treatment.
What is Turkish cuisine's most famous dish?
Turkey has too many great dishes for one to dominate: Iskender kebab (thinly sliced lamb over bread with yogurt and tomato-paprika sauce, from Bursa), Adana kebab (spiced minced lamb on a wide skewer, from Adana), manti (tiny meat dumplings with yogurt and butter sauce), lahmacun (flatbread with spiced minced meat, the "Turkish pizza"), and baklava (the most famous Turkish sweet). Istanbul has some of the world's best restaurants.