In accordance with the Identity Cards and Other Identity Documents Act, Cap. 258 of the Laws of Malta, every resident in Malta is obliged to provide the principal place of residence to the pertinent authority, which address features on the identity or residence document. The address of the principal place of residence may only be used if the individual has a valid title to the property through ownership or if has entered into an official and registered lease agreement with the owner of such property or with the consent of the lawful owner of the residential premises.

In accordance with the Private Residential Leases Act, Cap 604 of the Laws of Malta, all private residential lease contracts entered into after the entry into force of the Act, including renewals must be registered with the Housing Authority. It is the obligation of the lessor to submit such registration, including the required official documentation, within ten (10) days of the commencement of such lease. Registration shall be carried out through: https://portal.rentregistration.mt/.

In situations where the address indicated on the identity or residence document pertains to a property that is rented, leased, or provided for temporary use at no cost, the landlord or owner of that property, would be unable to dispose or utilise the property until the address is deregistered and no longer occupied.

Most cases of incorrect address registration occur either because the user has failed to effect a change of address or a deregistration of address with Identita’ where applicable or because the address is being fraudulently used without legal authorization.

It is important to note that when a change of address is effected with Identita’, this information is not automatically transferred to other entities, such as utility companies, Transport Malta, communication service providers, national or private hospitals and clinics, among others. The individual who has provided a contact address to any organization, whether governmental or private, is responsible for informing them of any change in address. Individuals using addresses to which they have no legal entitlement, through ownership or registered lease, may be in violation of national laws.

Owners of property who have either rented/leased their residential property to a third party, whether it is a Maltese national, an EU national or a non-EU national (third-country national), who has either terminated the lease through mutual agreement, or has left the premises and no longer lives there are obliged in accordance with the provisions of the Private Residential Leases Act (Cap 604), to submit an online termination of the agreement to the Housing Authority, through https://portal.rentregistration.mt/.

In cases where a property owner either starts receiving mail of individuals who no longer lives there or who is unknown to the owner and was never authorised to reside in the premises, should ensure that the address is freed-up from the non-authorised individual must duly fill out a De-Registration of Address Form (link here once page to form created), providing the details of each section of the form as well as the accompanying documentation listed in Section 5 of the same form, as applicable.

Where the person using the address without authorisation is a Maltese national, the owner is to call personally at Identity Cards Unit, Gattard House, Blata l-Bajda, in order to submit this form and all required documentation.

Where the person using the address without authorisation is a non-Maltese national, the owner is to submit the documents to the Compliance Unit at Identita’, Valley Road, Msida. Prior to submitting the original documents at Msida, the owner is encouraged to send an email to landlords.identita@gov.mt attaching the duly filled form and accompanying documents.

The process of registering an address for the issuance of an identity card or residence document with Identita’ requires the submission of proof of ownership. For residence documents issued to third-country nationals, this process mandates the provision of a signed lease agreement, a form filled out and signed (with a wet signature) by the landlord authorising the use of their property by the non-EU national, and the Rent Agreement registration approval letter issued by the Housing Authority. As from the 1st September 2024, Identita will not be accepting any private lease agreements unless they are legalised through a notary, lawyer or legal procurator, through the Verification of Lease Agreement Form.

Additionally, Identita’ does not release residence documents to anyone other than the applicant. The applicant must provide the collection letter received by post at the registered address, enter the PIN found on the collection letter, and provide biometric proof that matches the biometric data previously captured from the same individual.

Where Identita’ is informed by owners of property or through other means, that a third-country national is no longer residing at the registered address with Identita’, a verification process is instigated, which includes officially reminding and requesting the third-country national (and his employer, where applicable) to effect a change of address within an established period of time. Unless the change of address is effected within the established period of time, the residence permit is effectively withdrawn, with the relevant authorities such as the Police and Jobsplus also being notified as a matter of process.

In the event of complaints, any data or documentation provided by the complainant to Identita’ will be treated with the utmost confidentiality and will not be shared with any third party. Data may only be shared with other government authorities for verification and investigation purposes, if required and authorized by law. The complainant will receive an update on the matter without the disclosure of any personal data given that disclosure of personal data is prohibited under the General Data Protection Regulations. This information may be forwarded to the Police or any other relevant authority as necessary, for any action as may be required.

The deregistration process delineated in these FAQs may be followed. For further information kindly e-mail landlords.identita@gov.mt.

Third-Country nationals and their employers may find information on the entire residence permit process on Identita’ website, primarily in the Expatriates and Central Visa Unit sections. Further information pertinent specifically to employment permits may be found on the online application portal - https://singlepermit.gov.mt/

Identita’ also issues an information booklet with every residence document issued. This document may also be found online https://identita.gov.mt/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Rights-and-Obligations.pdf.

Information on the change of address process for TCNs may be found through this link: https://identita.gov.mt/expatriates-unit-noneu-nationals-change-of-address/