This guide will walk you through how to bring medication into Malta safely and legally, based on current EU rules and Maltese regulations, with a focus on the types of medications families like ours are most likely to be travelling with.
These guidelines apply to tourists, short stays and longer visits.
Before you travel:
If you’re planning a trip to Malta with an autistic child, start with my full Malta guide — it covers everything from flights to food and makes the whole trip much easier to plan.
Quick Summary: Bringing Medication into Malta
- Most over-the-counter medication is fine
- Prescription medication is allowed with documentation
- Controlled drugs need extra care and paperwork
- You usually don’t need to declare medication if it’s for personal use
Over-The-Counter (OTC) Medications
Bringing common over-the-counter medications into Malta is straightforward. You can carry typical items like paracetamol, ibuprofen, antihistamines, anti-sickness tablets and basic cold and flu remedies without needing any special permission.
As with any destination, the key is that they must be clearly for personal use. Bringing a reasonable quantity (for the duration of your trip) is absolutely fine, but packing large amounts could raise questions.
Keep everything in original packaging where possible, especially if it looks like a prescription medication or contains stronger ingredients.
Prescription Medications
If you are travelling with prescription medication, Malta has different rules based on what the medication is and what your country of departure was.
For prescription medication which is not a narcotic drug or psychotropic substance you can bring enough for your own personal use. You should bring appropriate documentation for the medication such as:
- A copy of your prescription or a doctor’s letter
- The original medication box with the pharmacy sticker on it
Do not decant medication into pill organisers unless you also carry the original packaging. If questioned, the pharmacy label is one of the easiest ways to prove the medication is yours.
Standard Allowances Allowed
Malta generally allows travellers to bring up to a three-month supply of medication for personal use without needing any special permission.
Short visits: For a typical holiday, you should only bring what you need for the trip plus a small buffer (a few extra days). Bringing a full three-month supply for a one-week trip can look excessive.
Longer stays: If you are staying longer (for example, an extended trip or relocation), you may carry a larger supply, but it is strongly recommended to have clear documentation explaining why.
As a rule, medication must be:
- For your personal use
- Carried by you or within your luggage
- Not intended to be shared or given to others
Controlled Medications
This is where you need to pay the most attention. The rules differ for those coming from outside of the Schengen area to those travelling within it.
Malta follows EU conventions around controlled drugs, which means certain medications are more tightly regulated.
Common examples include:
Strong painkillers (opioids): medications like morphine, oxycodone, fentanyl or high-strength codeine are controlled.
ADHD medications: stimulants such as methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta) and lisdexamfetamine (Elvanse) are controlled drugs.
Anti-anxiety and sleeping medications: benzodiazepines like diazepam or lorazepam, and some sleep medications, also fall under controlled or psychotropic categories.
If you are travelling with any of the above from outside of the Schengen area, you should have:
- A doctor’s letter (ideally signed and dated)
- Your prescription
- Medication in original labelled packaging
In some cases, especially for larger quantities or certain high-risk drugs, you may be asked to show this documentation at the border.
For those travelling within the Schengen area, a Schengen Medical Certificate is also expected to travel with controlled medications.
Learn more:
Important: Malta does not allow cannabis-based medications unless they are specifically authorised under very strict conditions. If you use medical cannabis or CBD products, check carefully before travelling — do not assume they are allowed.
If you have any questions about bringing your specific medication to Malta, you can already reach out to customs at Malta International Airport.
Customs at Malta International Airport contact information
Office numbers:
- +356 23783665
- +356 23783470
- +356 23783637
- +356 23782719
Winter office hours are from 08:00 to 17:00 (Malta time) and Summer office hours from 07.30 to 13.30.
Arrivals Office: +356 23783664 (round the clock service 24/7)
Arrivals Duty Office: +356 79745556 (round the clock service 24/7)
Departures Office: +356 23696419 (round the clock service 24/7)
To the left is the time in Malta right now.
Travelling from the UK to Malta (Post-Brexit Rules)
Although Malta is in the EU and the UK is no longer, the rules for carrying personal medication are still fairly aligned.
You do not need a special import licence just because you are travelling from the UK, but controlled drugs still require documentation.
For UK travellers, the advice is:
- Carry a doctor’s letter for controlled medication
- Keep medication in original packaging
- Only bring a reasonable personal quantity
If you are travelling with controlled drugs for longer than 3 months or in large quantities, you may need additional documentation from UK authorities before travel. I have a guide dedicated to breaking down what to include on a doctors travel letter with examples from my previous trips.
The Doctors Letter For Taking Medication to Malta
This should include your name, the medication name, dosage, and why it has been prescribed (the diagnosis you have which warrants that medication). This is particularly important for anything that could be misunderstood – like strong painkillers, ADHD medication or sedatives.
From personal experience travelling with ADHD medication, I always take:
- Medication in original pharmacy packaging with my name on it
- The prescription slip if I have it
- A travel letter from my clinician confirming medication, dosage and travel dates
I have a seperate guide that explains what to include in a doctors letter for travelling with medication.
Arriving in Malta: Do You Need to Declare Medication?
In most cases, you will not need to declare medication when arriving in Malta if:
- It is for personal use
- It is within normal quantities
- You have supporting documentation
If you are carrying controlled drugs, it is best to:
- Keep them easily accessible in your hand luggage
- Have your documents ready to show if asked
You do not need to proactively declare standard medication, but you should be prepared to explain it.
Compared to stricter countries, Malta is relatively straightforward — but that doesn’t mean you should cut corners. A bit of preparation means you can travel with complete confidence and avoid any stress at the airport.
Continue Planning Your Trip to Malta With Additional Needs
- Start with planning your overall Malta trip with kids, including transport, where to stay and the best family-friendly destinations across the island
- Starting in Valletta? Find out more about visiting Valletta with autistic children, including sensory-friendly attractions, parks and easy day trips
- Wondering how to get around Malta? My guide to accessible transport in Malta breaks that down for you
- Looking for autism-friendly spots? Learn about the certified autism-friendly spaces in Malta and Gozo
- Flying into Malta? Learn more about the autism initiatives, the familiarisation visit and the special assistance at Malta Airport
Continue Planning Your Europe With Kids Itinerary
- Start with planning your overall Europe family trip, including flights, transport, pacing and choosing destinations that suit your child’s needs
- Travelling through European airports? Learn how to book airport special assistance and what support is available across Europe
- Travelling with medication? Learn what to include on your doctor’s travel letter for medication and controlled prescriptions
- Looking for an easier first-time Europe destination? Consider visiting Denmark with kids for organised cities, reliable transport and family-friendly attractions
- Prefer beaches and slower-paced travel? Find out more about Greece with children for island stays, outdoor dining and flexible family days out
- Planning big city adventures? Discover what to expect in Paris with autistic children, including transport, attractions and sensory considerations
- Want scenic train journeys and nature? Learn more about Switzerland with autistic children for mountain views, calm towns and predictable travel routines