'An important step': Malta recognizes all Israeli travel documents, not just passports

Malta has decided to recognize all Israeli travel documents, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar announced Wednesday following a discussion with his Maltese counterpart.

"This important step will enable all Israelis who wish to travel to beautiful Malta to do so," said Sa'ar.

"Israel warmly welcomes this decision, and I thank Minister Chris Fearne for his efforts in making it possible."

Israelis have, until now, been able to travel to the European nation with a passport. Now, Israelis with an alternative to a passport can also travel to Malta.

Malta was the one Schengen country that did not recognize Teudat Ma’avar

The Teudat Ma’avar - the Israeli Travel Document in Lieu of National Passport - is not automatically treated by every country as equivalent to an Israeli passport.

For years, Malta was the one Schengen country that did not recognize this Israeli travel document.

A report by Henley Global in January 2026, citing International Air Transport Association (IATA) data, said the Israeli Travel Document in Lieu of National Passport is accepted for visa-free entry by all Schengen Area member states except Malta.

The Jerusalem Post reached out to the Malta MOFA regarding the reason behind the change.