When I move house, must I change the address on my ID card in Malta?
Yes — when you change your residence in Malta you are obliged to inform Identità and update the address. A Maltese citizen fills in Form ID10a online, and because fresh biometrics are taken, you must then attend in person for an appointment so that a new ID card with the new address can be issued. Within one week of the request you are given an appointment, and after the biometrics are taken, a collection letter with a unique PIN is sent to the new address within two working days. The myth: that "the address on the card doesn't matter". It matters a great deal — it determines where official correspondence is sent, the electoral register and your residence status. For holders of a residence card (non-citizens), the change of address costs €22, and failing to notify can even lead to revocation of the residence permit. Once the address on the e-ID is changed, it is updated across government entities.
📋 The rules
- Everyone living in Malta is obliged to inform Identità of any change in their residential address.
- A Maltese citizen fills in Form ID10a online and then attends in person so that fresh biometrics are taken and a new card is issued.
- Within one week of the request an appointment is given; the collection letter with the PIN is sent to the new address within two working days.
- For holders of a residence card, the change of address carries a €22 fee, paid at the appointment.
- Failing to notify a change of address can lead to revocation of the residence permit for non-EU nationals.
🔓 Exceptions
- Minor or temporary changes that do not alter your habitual residence generally do not require a new card.
- When you are outside Malta, certain changes may be made through online or consular procedures instead of in person.
- A property owner can remove someone registered at their address without consent by filing the de-registration form with Identità.
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Failing to update your address is not a mere administrative detail. For non-EU nationals, failing to notify can lead to revocation of the residence permit, threatening your right to remain in Malta. Even for Maltese citizens, an out-of-date address means official correspondence — including tax notices, citations and electoral information — is sent to a home you no longer live in, and you can miss important deadlines without knowing. A residence card costs €22 to change, and a card with the wrong address can complicate opening an account, renting or registering a vehicle. Because the e-ID is used to identify you to many services, an old address can block you from accessing what you are entitled to.
📎 Official sources
- Identità · Change of Residential Address (Identity Cards Unit) →
- Identità · Identity Card Frequently Asked Questions →
- Laws of Malta · Identity Card and Other Identity Documents Act (Cap. 258) →
❓ Frequently asked
How do I change the address on my ID card?
You fill in Form ID10a online and then attend an in-person appointment with Identità, where fresh biometrics are taken and a card with the new address is issued. The collection letter with a unique PIN is sent to the new address within two working days of the appointment.
How much does it cost to change the address?
For holders of a residence card, the change of address costs €22, paid at the biometric appointment. The exact fee for Maltese citizens is not always clearly published, so it is best to check Identità's list of fees before you go.
What happens if I don't update the address?
For non-EU nationals, failing to notify a change of address can even lead to revocation of the residence permit. Even for Maltese citizens, an old address means citations and official notices arrive at a home you no longer live in, and you can miss important deadlines.
Once I change the address, does it change everywhere?
Yes — once the address is updated on the e-ID, it is automatically updated with the government entities that use that data. It is still wise to separately inform private providers such as your bank or utility companies, because they do not always read from the central register.
Someone registered their address at my property — what can I do?
As the owner you can send the de-registration form to Identità together with the relevant documents to remove that person from the address. This matters because an address falsely registered at your property can affect the electoral register and official correspondence.
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