The answer is simple: yes, Malta is a member of the European Union.
Malta joined the EU on May 1, 2004, as part of the largest expansion in the Union’s history. It adopted the euro as its official currency on January 1, 2008, and has been part of the Schengen Area since December 21, 2007. For travelers, this means simplified border crossings and consistent EU-wide rules—such as consumer rights, travel protections, and financial standards.
If you’re coming from another Schengen country (like Italy, France, or Germany), you can enter Malta without a passport or border check. For travelers from outside the EU, including the United States or the UK, Malta applies the same entry rules as the rest of the Schengen Zone. Once you’re in, you can move between Schengen countries without additional border controls.
There are no customs checks for personal goods when traveling to or from Malta within the EU. For travelers coming from outside the EU, standard customs allowances apply.
Malta EU Membership – Quick Facts
- EU member since: May 1, 2004 (part of the EU’s largest-ever expansion)
- Schengen member since: December 21, 2007 (no internal border controls with other Schengen countries)
- Currency: Euro (EUR), adopted January 1, 2008