Registering and Licensing a vehicle imported from an EU state

Note that cash payments are not accepted. For information about payment methods accepted by Transport Malta refer here.

How to register a used vehicle brought into Malta from an EU Member State

STEP 1: Log onto the website www.valuation-vehicleregistration.gov.mt to obtain the value of the registration tax due. The valuation will need to be printed out to be presented to the Authority.
STEP 2: Vehicle inspections are conducted at the Land Transport Directorate, A3 Towers, Arcade Street, Paola. For opening hours check here. No booking is required except for heavy vehicles, coaches and minibuses, where one may call on either 25565127 or 99436320 to confirm and book an inspection.
STEP 3: On the appointment day, take the vehicle to the Land Transport Directorate, Technical Unit at A3 Towers, Triq l-Arkata, Paola. For opening hours check here. Individuals will be required to present the valuation document printed from the website and the Original Registration Certificate (log book) of the vehicle.
STEP 4: Visit any of offices of the Land Transport Directorate. For addresses and opening times check here. Follow link for required documents.
- Pay charges: €55 Inspection fee, €15 Registration fee, and the applicable Annual Circulation Fee and the Registration Tax. Payments are accepted through Bank Drafts, Credit or Debit Cards, or Bank Guarantees only. Personal cheques exceeding €1,500 are not accepted;
- If the vehicle has less than 6,000km or is less than 6 months old, an invoice from seller is needed as VAT must be paid.

Vehicles imported from the Northern Ireland

When importing a vehicle from Northern Ireland (NI) into the European Union, in this case Malta, the vehicle can only be classified as an EU import if it meets all of the following conditions:

A valid Northern Ireland registration certificate (V5CNI) applies for the vehicle conc. Registrations from Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales) do not qualify.
The V5CNI certificate must show a Northern Ireland residential or business address. Addresses from elsewhere in the UK are not accepted for EU‑origin classification.
The vehicle must display a Northern Ireland registration number format. Acceptable NI formats include combinations such as:

ABC 1234
ABZ 4567
IAZ 7890, etc.

These formats are distinct from GB registration formats and are required as proof of NI registration.

In all other scenarios, including where the address on the registration document is Northern Ireland, but the registration number format is GB, personalised, or otherwise not clearly identifiable as NI, and the customs status cannot be assumed solely based on the registration details, we shall inform Customs so that the case can be assessed based on the full factual documentary context.

These procedures are intended to serve as guidelines to all customers who would like to know about the procedures to register and licence a vehicle. Where in doubt please refer to the Motor Vehicles Registration and Licensing Act (Cap. 368) and the Registration and Licensing of Motor Vehicles Regulations (SL 368.02).

NOTE: The whole process including the inspection and registration must be completed within 30 days from date the vehicle is brought into Malta. Where a person fails, for unjustified reason, to comply with the preceding sub-regulation, he/she may be liable to an administrative fine of €30 for each day that the vehicle remains not registered after the expiry of the 30 (thirty) day period, in accordance with Article 21(4) of the Motor Vehicle Registration and Licensing Act (Cap 368).

For information about payment methods accepted by Transport Malta refer here.

Please click here for more information.

PROCEDURE TO OBTAIN A TEMPORARY LICENCE PERMIT ISSUED TO MALTESE RESIDENTS TO DRIVE A FOREIGN REGISTERED VEHICLE IN MALTA FOR 30 DAYS
SOPV 48 - Procedure to obtain a temporary permit to drive a vehicle for 30 days
VEH 64 - Application form to obtain a 30 day permit to drive a foreign registered vehicle.

Last Updated: 19/05/2026