As from tomorrow, 1 July, Malta will be recognising and accepting the EU digitial vaccine certificates, but British nationals still need to present a physical copy of their vaccination certificate, for the time being. 

Speaking during a press conference which marked the opening of a new unit at Mater Dei Hospital, Minister Fearne also said that the Maltese Covid-19 vaccine certificate will be recognised and accepted by countries within the European Union.

“We have everything prepared and in place but technical problems cannot be ruled out,” Fearne said. He explained that although the UK no longer forms part of the European Union, the UK system regarding vaccine certificate does. Therefore, “from the day Malta enters into the European system, we will be able to accept the UK certificate as well,” he confirmed.  “This means that in order to travel to a European country, everyone is expected to have the vaccine certificate of their residing country. This will then be accepted by other European countries.” 

But UK nationals cannot present a digital copy of their certificate until a technical issue is resolved.

Fearne's statement came after some confusion over how UK travellers would be able to enter the country. The British High Commission on Tuesday quoted a decision by the Maltese government to only accept certificates sent by post by the UK’s National Health Service (NHS), and not digital certificates. The news was greeted by anger from would-be tourists in the comments board, who lamented that it can take up to five days for the certificate to arrive.

Fearne later said that the NHS' digital certificate will be accepted as from Friday, but the ministry later backtracked in a statement issued in the evening.

It said that it would take an undisclosed number of days to fix technical problems and start accepting digital forms of the UK passes. Until this happens, only posted NHS letters will be accepted. The ministry said the UK had not provided a "verifier app" to allow local border control authorities to verify the passes. 

"Authorities are working to develop this verifier app specifically for the UK certificate," it said. "This will work in the same way as that developed for the European app."

Malta is currently only allowing fully vaccinated persons to enter Malta from the UK, while children aged between five and 12 can travel as long as they are accompanied by vaccinated parents or legal guardians and as long as they provide a negative PCR test carried out within 72 hours from their arrival in Malta.

Children under five do not need a test.

A Maltese resident or citizen not in possession of an accepted vaccine certificate can proceed to Malta only after seeking pre-authorisation from [email protected], who would request a pre-departure PCR, 14 days quarantine and PCRs during the period of quarantine.

Children under five do not need a test.

A Maltese resident or citizen not in possession of an accepted vaccine certificate can proceed to Malta only after seeking pre-authorisation from [email protected], who would request a pre-departure PCR, 14 days quarantine and PCRs during the period of quarantine.

Posting in a Facebook group for UK expats, a woman spoke of her son’s disappointment at the fact that his grandparents won’t be able to travel to Malta as a result of the news that a printed certificate was needed.

“My parents were due to fly from the UK today and were refused boarding along with the other 100 passengers because the Maltese Govt yesterday requested a document which on the NHS app has the option to download and print. On arrival at check-in, all passengers were told they don't accept the download they have to wait 5 days for a postal copy to their home address.”

The woman said the airline rang the Maltese Government and was told that it is only accepting postal copies since the barcode is a different shape.

“I have now had to tell a devastated 6-year-old that his grandparents who he has not seen in two years will not be coming. Its so unfair to change the rules 12 hours before scheduled flights without a contingency plan for those who already have flights booked - shame on you Malta!”