Understanding the Schengen 90/180-Day Rule (for Visa-Free Travelers, Including Malta Visitors)

If you’re from a country like the US, Canada, Australia, or the UK, you can visit Malta and other Schengen countries without a visa — but there’s a catch: the 90/180-day rule. Misunderstanding it could mean fines, deportation, or even entry bans, not just in Malta but across the whole Schengen Area.

What Is the 90/180-Day Rule?

You can stay up to 90 days within any rolling 180-day period in the Schengen Zone, and since Malta is part of Schengen, this rule applies here too.

• 90 days = total days spent across all Schengen countries combined

• 180 days = a constantly moving time window, counted backwards from your travel date
  

Example:
30 days in Malta + 30 days in Italy + 30 days in France = 90 days total.

How the “Rolling” Period Works

The 180-day clock moves forward one day at a time.

• Your 90-day count starts the day you enter Malta or any other Schengen country

• It stops the day you leave the Schengen Zone

• All past Schengen days in the previous 180 days count toward your limit

How to Track Your Days

• Easy method: Use the official Schengen Calculator

• Manual method:

  1. Pick your travel date

  2. Look back 180 days

  3. Add up all Schengen days in that period

  4. If total ≤ 90, you’re safe

Common Mistakes

• Thinking Malta days are separate – Any time spent in Malta counts toward your total Schengen stay.

• Forgetting all countries count – Schengen time is shared across all member states.

• Miscalculating arrival/departure days – Even late-night arrivals and early-morning departures count as full days.

• Assuming 180 days = 6 months – Count actual days, not months.

Penalties for Overstaying in Malta (or Anywhere in Schengen)

• Fines (amount varies)

• Deportation (sometimes immediate)

• Entry bans (often 3+ years for serious breaches)

• Future visa difficulties

  Malta enforces the same rules as the rest of the Schengen Zone, an overstay here affects your ability to re-enter any Schengen country.

Who Must Follow the Rule?

• Visa-free nationals (US, Canada, Australia, etc.) visiting Malta or any other Schengen state

• Holders of multiple-entry Schengen visas

• British citizens (post-Brexit)

Exemption: Direct family members of EU/EEA/Swiss citizens traveling together, up to 3 months per Member State without the 90/180-day limit.

Quick Facts

• Malta is a Schengen member, time spent here counts toward your 90-day total.

• Owning property or having long-term bookings in Malta doesn’t extend your legal stay.

• The upcoming ETIAS system (expected in 2025) won’t change the rule, it’s just a travel pre-authorization, not a visa.
  

Bottom line: Whether you’re visiting Malta for leisure, to explore work opportunities, or to join our Skills Pass programs, make sure you’re tracking your Schengen days. This rolling 180-day window means your past travel affects your future entry rights, in Malta and beyond.

Thinking of staying in Malta longer?
Don’t let the 90-day limit stop you from building a future here. Skills Pass Malta can guide you on turning your visit into a legitimate work opportunity through training, certification, and industry connections.

Get in touch and start your Malta career path today.