Government confirms Schengen suspension for CHOGM, Valletta summit

The government has confirmed that it will suspend Malta’s participation in the Schengen agreement as a security measure during this month’s Valletta Migration Summit and Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

In a statement, the home affairs ministry said that border controls will be temporarily imposed on passengers departing from and arriving in Malta via both the airport and the Valletta passenger terminal.

The border controls will apply from 9 November at 00:01am until 13 November at midnight for the Valletta Summit, and again from 21 November at 00:01am until 29 November at midnight for the CHOGM.

In practice, this means that people will have to present their identification documents before departure and upon arrival at the airport and the Valletta port. A valid ID card will suffice for Maltese and other EU citizens.

“This is a regular process, and has been imposed in Malta in the past, most recently when the Pope visited in 2010,” the ministry said. “It will be applied in full accordance to the Schengen Borders Code and other relevant EU regulations.”

Local media had this week reported that the government will temporarily suspend its participation in the Schengen agreement for an entire month, from 3 November until 3 December. 

People with further questions are advised to call 23696416 or 21222941.