To renew an Identity Card, applicants must visit our office in Blata l-Bajda or the Rabat (Gozo) office, fill in Form ID 10A, and present their current Identity Card.

Opening Hours for our offices in both Malta and Gozo are as follows:

Blata l-Bajda:
Monday – Friday: 07:30 – 14:00
Saturday: 07:30 – 11:00
Wednesday & Friday: 15:00 – 18:00

Rabat (Gozo):
Monday – Friday: 07:30 – 14:00
Saturday: 07:30 – 11:00
Wednesday: 15:00 – 18:00

Yes, parking is available; however, it might be very busy during the week.

Yes. The Identity Cards Unit at Identità, Gattard House, Blata l-Bajda is directly served by several major bus routes, and the nearest stops are very close to the building, just a short five-minute walk away from the nearest Bus Stop.

No. Our offices are always closed on Public Holidays.

Yes, the Identity Cards Unit provides a housebound service. This is specifically intended for elderly individuals or people with mobility difficulties who cannot physically visit the Identity Cards Unit.

A representative from Identità visits the person’s residence to complete the Identity Card renewal or application process.

Service must be requested in advance by either sending an email to infoeid.identita@gov.mt, by calling +356 2590 4300 or by filling in and submitting Form ID6 which can be found by accessing this link - https://eforms.identita.gov.mt/download/identity

No. A previous photograph cannot be reused, as each identity card requires a new image for security and authentication purposes.

The recommender needs to be someone who holds a university degree, owns a warrant number/stamp, cannot be a next of kin and needs to know the applicant for at least 2 years.

Urgent Identity Cards are issued within 3 working days against a fee of €40.

You need to file a Police report either at a local Police Station and present this report when visiting the Identity Cards Unit to submit an application. The applicant needs to fill in Form ID10a to issue a new ID card as a replacement.

A Form ID9 is given to the applicant as a temporary ID Card until the new ID card is issued.

A charge of €22.00 applies.

Yes, a police officer is usually available on site. However, we recommend bringing the police report with you.

You will need to visit our offices with a police report and complete and submit an application form ID 10A.

The applicable fees are as follows:

• €22 for a lost Identity Card.
• €40 for an urgent request to be processed in three working days.

No. A 24-hour emergency service is not available.

Anyone who is already inside the premises before closing time will still be served. Staff continue attending to all individuals who entered before the official closing hour, so no one is turned away as long as they were inside the premises on time.

The image appears in black and white because the card is laser-engraved onto a polycarbonate surface, which serves as one of its security features.

Yes. Identity Cards are currently being renewed at Local Councils, for renewal applications only. Form ID 10A must be duly completed, and biometric data is captured on site.

The application is then forwarded to our offices for processing.

No. Appointments are only available for our Malta Office.

Appointments are segregated through different options mainly New Applicant, Changes in Address or Name and Surname, Lost and Renewals. Booking of appointments can also be done in groups of up to 4 applicants.

Booking for appointments can be done on https://eidbooking.identita.gov.mt/v2/

You may book an appointment online; however, walk-in visits are also accepted.

No. You don’t need to wait until the expiry date, renewing within the six-month window is completely acceptable. Your new card will simply replace the old one once issued, even if the old one hasn’t expired yet.

The Identity Card is fully sufficient for travelling although only movement across all Schengen states is allowed, provided it remains valid on the day of travel.

A Maltese citizen becomes eligible to apply for an Identity Card upon reaching the age of 14, as Maltese law requires every citizen to hold a valid Identity Card no later than their fourteenth birthday.

Maltese nationals returning to Malta with the intention of establishing permanent residence must apply for the issuance of a new Identity Card within one month of their return to Malta.

To apply for a first-time Identity Card at the age of 14, the following documents are required:

• Application Form ID10 – This must be completed by the applicant and signed and stamped by a recommender on Page 3 (Section D5).
• The recommender must have known the applicant for at least two years.
• The recommender must hold a university degree.
• For minor applicants, the recommender cannot be a parent or next of kin.
• The recommender may write their warrant number instead of using a stamp, if applicable.
• Form ID10 can be collected from the Identity Cards Unit or downloaded online.

Additional documents required:

• One passport-size photograph, signed on the back by the same recommender.
• Proof of address, if applicable:
  • If the applicant is a minor living with either parent, proof of address is not required.
  • If the applicant resides at a different address, a recent property ownership document or lease agreement showing the residential address must be provided.

You cannot apply for an Identity Card on behalf of another person, as the applicant must apply in person.

During the application process, biometric data is collected, including the applicant’s photograph, signature, and fingerprints. These can only be captured when the individual is physically present.

You may apply at either the Malta or Gozo Identity Card Office, regardless of where you live.

Your residential address does not restrict you, so you are free to submit your application at both offices interchangeably.

A citizen cannot keep their old Identity Card once the new one is issued.

Maltese regulations allow a person to be in possession of only one valid Identity Card at any given time, so the old card must be surrendered when collecting the new one.

An Identity Card issued at 14+ or 16+ is valid for two years, while an adult Identity Card issued thereafter is valid for ten years.

Payment for a lost, damaged, or urgent Identity Card must be made at the time the application is submitted, not upon collection.

If an applicant loses their old Identity Card after submitting the application but before collecting the new one, a fee of €22 must be paid before the new card can be issued.

No. You cannot apply for an Identity Card if you forget to bring your old one.

The previous Identity Card must be presented when registering the application, as it is required to verify the applicant’s identity and confirm that it is the most recently issued card. For this reason, the old Identity Card must be brought when submitting the application.

To collect the new Identity Card, a police report for the lost Identity Card must be presented and a payment of €22 upon collection of the new card is required.

No. You cannot wear a hair band, scarf, or hat when applying for an Identity Card. These items are not permitted unless they are worn for medical or religious reasons.

You cannot wear sunglasses when applying for an Identity Card. They are not allowed, unless they are required due to a medical condition that necessitates their use.

You cannot be assisted with the electronic signature. The signature must be done personally and independently by the applicant, as assistance is not permitted for this part of the Identity Card application.

A person living abroad cannot apply for an Identity Card at an Embassy.

To submit an application, the individual must visit the Identity Card Offices in Malta or Gozo in person, as biometrics must be taken and these can only be captured on site.

Form ID 10 is used for first-time applicants, while Form ID 10a is used for renewals, change of address, and any other updates or amendments to an existing Identity Card.

A first time applicant aged 14+ or 16+ does not need to present proof of address if they are registering at the same address as their parents.

When a minor is applying using a different residential address, a valid proof of address must be provided

You do not receive an eID account by post or from our office, because the eID account is not a physical item. The eID is an online account to access government services, and your eID number is simply your Identity Card number, paired with a password that you create yourself.

A housebound citizen may request a home visit for an Identity Card application through any of the following options. All options lead to the same service, so the applicant may choose the most convenient method.

Ways to request a housebound visit:

• Email — Send a request to infoeid.identita@gov.mt, explaining the need for a housebound service.
• In person — A relative or representative may visit the Gattard House offices to complete the housebound application form on the applicant’s behalf.
• Online form — Complete the e-form available at: https://eforms.identita.gov.mt/download/identity
• By phone — Call 2590 4300.

Once the request is received, the office will review the details and schedule a home visit to capture the applicant’s biometrics and complete the Identity Card application process.

No, you cannot collect your Identity Card from a servizz.gov hub in a different locality. Collection is restricted to the hub of your own registered locality, as Identity Cards are distributed based on the applicant’s official residential address.

Yes, the offices are wheelchair accessible. They are designed to be accessible and equipped to accommodate individuals who use wheelchairs or have other mobility difficulties.

Yes, our offices are pet-friendly. This applies to routine visits such as Identity Card applications or collections, provided the pet is well-behaved and under control.

• Allowed: Pets accompanying their owners during visits.
• Expectation: Pets should not disrupt staff or other visitors.

Yes, the offices are equipped with CCTV cameras.

Surveillance is in place to ensure security, safety, and proper monitoring of activity within the premises.

Processing time depends on the type of application you choose:

• Urgent application: You can apply urgently for a fee of €40, and your Identity Card will be ready in three (3) working days.
• Standard application (collected from our office): Your Identity Card will be ready in approximately ten (10) six (6) working days.
• Collection from a Servizz Hub: If you choose to collect your card from a Servizz Hub, it will be ready in around ten (10) working days.

You will receive a notification message once your Identity Card is ready for collection. The message will indicate when it can be collected and from where, so you’ll know exactly where to go to pick up your new card.

You cannot apply for an updated 16+, 18+, 60+, or 75+ Identity Card before your birthday. Applications for these age related Identity Cards can only be submitted on the day of your birthday or any time after, but not earlier.

You can apply for your new Identity Card at either of the two Identità offices, depending on which location is more convenient for you.

Identità Gattard House — Triq Nazzjonali, Blata l Bajda (Malta)
Identità Victoria — The Tower, 1st Floor, Triq Fortunato Mizzi, Victoria (Gozo)

Both offices process Identity Card applications, including first-time applications, renewals, and updates.

You can visit the Identity Card office 15 days after your marriage to change your surname. This allows time for your new surname to be officially updated in our records, provided that your marriage has been registered with the Public Registry, to update your surname.

This interval ensures that your new surname is officially recorded before the change is processed.

If the updated address is in Gozo, the Identity Card must be collected from the Identità office in Gozo. This applies even if the application was submitted in Malta, because collection is always tied to the registered residential address.

You cannot apply for your mother’s Identity Card, even if you hold full power of attorney, because the Identity Card must always be issued in person to the holder.

However, you can apply for her eID account on her behalf, as this does not require her physical presence.

Yes, someone can collect your Identity Card on your behalf, but they must bring your old Identity Card and present it together with their own Identity Card at the time of collection.

This ensures proper verification and secure handover of the new card.

Yes, you must return your Maltese Identity Card if you move abroad.

The card must be handed in at our office, and you will also need to complete Form ID 21 (Declaration of Renunciation of an Identity Card).

When you return to Malta and need to update your address or re‑apply for a new Identity Card, you must present the receipt that was issued to you when you returned your previous card. This receipt is required for your new application to be processed.

Yes, there is a designated disabled parking space near the office, and the premises are fully wheelchair accessible. This means you can park close by and enter the building without encountering steps or barriers, making the visit easier and safer for anyone with mobility needs.

Yes, they need to update the address on their Identity Card when they move to an elderly people’s home. The new residential address must be registered, and our housebound team can visit them at the residential home to assist with the Identity Card application process, ensuring everything is handled comfortably and on-site.

The property owner must visit our office with the property ownership documents (Purchase contract) and complete a De-registration Form. This procedure applies only when the person registered at your address is a Maltese national. Once the form is submitted, our office will notify the individual to update their address. If they fail to do so within one month, their Identity Card will be revoked.

The ID10A form must be completed for a change of address, renewal, replacement of a lost Identity Card, or a change of surname.

You may pay by card or in cash, as both payment methods are accepted.

You need to visit our offices, complete Form ID 10A, and pay the €16.50 replacement fee to have your damaged Identity Card replaced.

You can download the Identity Card application forms from the following link: https://eforms.identita.gov.mt/download/identity

You need to complete Form ID 10 and bring the following documents with you:

• Your residence card
• Your Maltese nationality certificate
• Your passport
• Proof of address

You may submit the eForm online through the link below, but you will still need to visit our office in Blata l Bajda to complete the application process.

eForms Link: https://eforms.identita.gov.mt/

You may find queues depending on the day and time. The best option is to book an appointment online on link below, which allows you to skip the queues and be served at your scheduled time.

Online Appointment Link: https://eidbooking.identita.gov.mt/v2/

If you applied for a new Identity Card because the original was lost, and you later find the old one after the new card has been issued, you must return the old card to a police station or to our offices.

No, you cannot create an eID account without a valid Identity Card. You must be in possession of a valid Maltese Identity Card in order to register for an eID account.

You will need to report the loss of your temporary Identity Card and file a police report before collecting the new Identity Card.

If your Identity Card was taken by the court, you will need to present the court’s documentation confirming that the Identity Card was retained. Once you have this document, you may apply for a new Identity Card by visiting our offices and submitting the required application form together with the supporting documents.

You will need to visit our offices and apply for a new Identity Card. Once your application is submitted, we will contact the court to confirm whether the new Identity Card can be issued without a travel restriction.

To remove the complaint, you will need to visit our offices in person and request its withdrawal. Our staff will verify your identity and process the request so that the address restriction can be lifted from your sibling’s Identity Card application. You must present your Identity Card and proof of ownership of the property.

You need to provide a letter on the shelter’s official letterhead confirming that you are residing there and that you are permitted to use the shelter’s address on your Identity Card.

You will need to visit our office and complete the required form. Once the form is submitted, we will update your eID account with your new email address or mobile number accordingly.

No, you cannot give permission for another person to use your address unless the lease is first updated by the property owner to include that person’s details. Alternatively, the property owner must accompany the person to the Identity Cards Office, present proof of ownership, and sign Form ID 7 – ‘’Declaration by the Address Owner’’ to authorise the use of the address.

No. The temporary document (Form ID 9) is not a valid document for travel.

You must register any change of name, surname, gender, civil status, or birth details at the Public Registry in Marsa or Gozo.

As per ICAO standards, applicants are advised to remove their glasses prior to taking the Identity Card photo. But, in exceptional cases, applicants may opt to keep their glasses on after being warned and explained about the consequences that this might have on their facial recognition especially in airports. A declaration on the application form will be signed in this regard.

Yes, you should update your Identity Card by visiting the Identity Cards Office. Please bring with you the notice issued by the Electoral Office confirming the new door number.

No. Part of the biometrics procedure includes the applicant’s photo taken by the front office staff. This procedure allows the Identity Card to be issued.

Applications are to be submitted in person at our offices in Blata l-Bajda or the Gozo office only.

An Identity Card number is made up of seven digits. The first five digits correspond to the individual’s birth registration number at the Public Registry, while the last two digits indicate the year in which the birth was registered. A person’s ID number remains the same for life, except in cases of adoption.

You may visit the Identity Cards Unit with your e-Identity Card to have your PIN numbers reset.

Identity Cards may be collected from the Identity Cards Unit after six working days during normal office hours.

Applicants may also choose to collect their Identity Card from the Servizz.gov hub selected during the application process. In this case, the card will be ready after ten days.

An Identity Card may also be collected by a third party, provided they present their own identification document together with the applicant’s Identity Card or temporary Identity Card.

The document number on the Identity Card changes each time a new card is issued. It is primarily used for activating the e ID account, and for security reasons, users must enter the current document number whenever making changes to their e ID account.

Please visit the Identity Cards Unit as soon as possible to replace the Identity Card with one containing the correct information.

Applications must first be verified and processed by the Back Office, so the Identity Card is not issued immediately.

The Identity Card may be collected from the Identity Cards Unit in Blata l-Bajda after six working days, or from the selected Servizz.gov hub after ten working days.

Both renewals and new Cards are free of charge.

The only applicable charges are:

• €16.50 for damaged cards,
• €22 for lost or stolen cards, and
• €40 for urgent cards.

The Karta Anzjan is no longer issued. Instead, a 60+ mark now appears on the new Identity Card to indicate eligibility for related benefits and services.

Inmates can renew their Identity Card through a dedicated house-bound service coordinated with prison management. The Identity Cards Unit arranges visits in collaboration with the Corradino Correctional Facility to complete the necessary procedures on site. An inmate cannot use the CCF address as their residential address on the Identity Card, so an alternative valid address must be provided.

The new Identity Card includes an embedded contactless integrated chip, located in the upper-right section of the card

The PIN numbers on the Maltese electronic Identity Card are used to access and authenticate secure e-government services, and each PIN serves a different function. The system relies on the electronic chip embedded in the card, which stores digital certificates used for online identification and digital signing.

Authentication PIN (PIN A) - This PIN is required when you use your Identity Card to log in to online government services through the eID system. It confirms your identity when accessing sensitive services such as financial information or official records.

Signature PIN (PIN B) - This PIN is used when applying your digital signature through the certificates stored on the card. It is typically required for actions such as submitting tenders or signing official documents electronically.

The CAN number is the Card Access Number, and it is used to unlock and read the information stored on the electronic chip inside the Identity Card. It acts as a security feature that allows authorised systems to access the card’s embedded data without exposing your PINs.

It enables secure access to the chip’s basic data when the card is used with compatible readers.

It helps verify that the person presenting the card has physical possession of it, adding an extra layer of protection.

It is typically used in situations where the card needs to be scanned or authenticated without requiring your personal PIN codes

The Maltese Identity Card fully complies with EU Regulation 2019/1157, which sets the security and design standards for national identity cards across all EU member states. It also meets ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation) standards, which govern the security and machine-readability features used in travel documents.

This compliance means that:

• The card includes the required security features, such as a contactless chip and advanced anti-forgery elements.
• The layout and data fields follow EU-wide rules to ensure consistency and recognition across member states.
• Compliance with ICAO standards ensures the card can be used reliably in automated document readers and border-control systems.