Malta recognises COVID vaccine certificates from Kuwait and Singapore

Malta's Health and Tourism Authorities have announced that as from this week, COVID-19 digital vaccine certificates from Kuwait and Singapore will be recognised locally.

The vaccine certificates will be recognised for versions approved by the European Medicines Authority (EMA), which currently includes those produced by Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, and Johnson & Johnson.

In the case of Singapore, while the Chinese Sinovac and Sinopharm vaccines have been approved for use, the most prevalent vaccines are still the EU approved Moderna and Pfizer versions.

In Kuwait, the AstraZeneca, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are currently approved for use.

The additions mean Malta is currently recognising the digital vaccine certificates of the EU, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Serbia, Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey, Qatar, Albania, Australia, Egypt, Lebanon, Canada and the United States of America record card.

Malta's travel rules require inbound travellers to present a valid vaccine certificate or to quarantine for 14 days at the cost of €1,400.

Notably, for a vaccine certificate to be valid, it must show the holder has been fully-vaccinated for at least 14 days, and does not allow recovery to be counted as a dose.

Along with 18 other countries, Kuwait was recently placed on Malta's 'red list' for international travel – meaning travellers from the country are exempt from the mandatory quarantine period imposed on those from 'dark red' countries.

More information on the requirements for international travel to and from Malta, including the full red and dark red list and details of additional required documents can be found on the Government's website.