Temporary protection in Malta for Ukrainians: residence permit, renewal and the right to work

Temporary protection for Ukrainians in Malta has been extended until 4 March 2027. The EU Council reached political agreement on 13 June 2025 and adopted the formal decision on 15 July 2025. Below is the exact procedure for obtaining and renewing it, the list of documents and the rights the status grants. We also explain separately a key confusion: temporary protection for Ukrainians is not Malta's SRA status.

Temporary protection ≠ SRA: what the difference is

• Temporary Protection — a status under EU Directive 2001/55/EC, which Ukrainians receive through the International Protection Agency (IPA). This is precisely the status relevant for those who left Ukraine after 24 February 2022.
• SRA (Specific Residence Authorisation) — a separate national policy of Malta for rejected but integrated asylum seekers who cannot be returned. New applications for SRA have been closed since 31 December 2020. This status does not apply to Ukrainians under temporary protection.
• The coincidence of names arises because the residence card for Ukrainians is issued by the International Humanitarian Protection and SRA Office in Ħal Far — one office serves both streams.

Who is entitled to temporary protection

• Citizens of Ukraine who left the country on 24 February 2022 or later.
• Stateless persons and foreigners who held refugee status or international protection in Ukraine before 24 February 2022.
• Foreigners or stateless persons with a valid permanent residence permit in Ukraine who cannot return safely.
• Family members of the persons listed: spouses/partners, minor unmarried children and close relatives who lived together in Ukraine before 24 February 2022.

Step-by-step procedure for obtaining

1. Appointment at IPA. Write to the e-mail of the International Protection Agency to arrange an in-person meeting to submit the application.
2. Submitting the application in person. IPA reviews the documents and issues a temporary protection certificate.
3. Appointment at Identità. With the certificate, write to the e-mail of Identità to book the issuance of the residence card at the Ħal Far office.
4. Biometrics. At the meeting the documents are checked, fingerprints and a photo are taken, and a receipt with the permit number is issued.
5. Card issuance. The biometric residence card is sent by post to your address.

Documents for the residence card (Identità, Form I)

• Completed Identità Form I.
• Original and copy of the foreign passport / travel document.
• Original and copy of the valid IPA certificate and the decision letter.
• Housing rental contract; housing approval letter; rental declaration form, completed by the landlord.
• If the landlord is not a citizen of Malta — a copy of the property deed.

Processing fee

A fee is charged for the residence card — it is not issued free of charge. Official sources differ only on the amount. UNHCR Malta and the Malta Refugee Council list as mandatory a payment of €27.50 per person (including for children), by card only — cash is not accepted. The AIDA report for 2024, on the other hand, cites €50 per person per year. Check the exact current amount and method of payment directly with Identità when booking.

Renewing the status

• Permits are not extended automatically — the renewal application is submitted to IPA. Check the expiry date of your card and apply in good time.
• The baseline validity date of temporary protection for all EU countries is 4 March 2027.

Rights the status grants

• Work: access to Malta's labour market on the same terms as holders of subsidiary protection. The work licence in your name is issued by the public service Jobsplus; a separate permit does not need to be arranged in advance, and the residence card confirms the right to work.
• Healthcare: public medical care — Mater Dei hospital and the public Health Centres; at a minimum emergency care and treatment of serious illnesses.
• Education: access to schooling for children under 18.
• Social support: benefits are arranged through servizz.gov — free line 153.

Where to apply

• IPA — submitting the application for temporary protection (appointment by e-mail).
• Identità, International Humanitarian Protection and SRA Office, Ħal Far Hanger, Ħal Far, BBG3000 — issuance of the residence card.
• servizz.gov / line 153 — social benefits for Ukrainians.

Check the exact e-mail addresses for booking, current opening hours and forms before applying on the official websites of IPA (ipa.gov.mt), Ministry for Home Affairs (homeaffairs.gov.mt) and UNHCR Malta.