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Homologating a non-EU car in Malta

Single Vehicle Approval (SVA)

A vehicle imported into Malta from outside the EU needs a Single Vehicle Approval (SVA) test certificate confirming its eligibility for EU registration and its CO2 emissions, on top of a customs inspection and valuation. The whole process, from the vehicle arriving in Malta to completed registration, has to be finished within 30 days.

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The process, step by step

  1. 1
    Customs inspection and valuation

    Customs officers inspect the vehicle to verify its details and establish the value on which duties are calculated.

  2. 2
    Booking the SVA inspection

    An appointment is made for the vehicle's Single Vehicle Approval test.

  3. 3
    The SVA test

    The vehicle is checked for EU registration eligibility and CO2 emissions.

  4. 4
    Modifications, if flagged

    Any non-compliant points are corrected and the vehicle is re-presented.

  5. 5
    Registration within 30 days

    Once approved, the vehicle is registered through Transport Malta's Land Transport Directorate, before the 30-day window from arrival closes.

Typical timeline

The full process, from the vehicle being brought into Malta to completed registration, must be finished within 30 days.

Cost

Cost includes customs duties on the assessed value, the SVA test fee, and any required modifications. A minimum tax applies to used M1 vehicles over five years old imported from outside the EU (excluding Monaco, Andorra, and San Marino), though electric and long-range plug-in hybrid vehicles are exempt. We quote the full picture after reviewing your specific vehicle.

Authority: Transport Malta, Land Transport Directorate

Frequently asked

Why is the 30-day deadline so important in Malta?

The full process, from the vehicle arriving in Malta to completed registration (customs inspection, SVA test, and registration itself), has to be finished within 30 days of the vehicle being brought in, which is why we start the SVA and customs steps in parallel rather than one after the other.

Are electric vehicles treated differently on the minimum tax?

Yes. The minimum tax that otherwise applies to used M1 vehicles over five years old imported from outside the EU doesn't apply to electric vehicles or plug-in hybrids with an electric range exceeding 50km.

Still need to source the vehicle?

HomologateMyCar handles what happens once the car is in Europe. If you haven't sourced it yet, our sister company DriveSino exports vehicles from China to Malta and has a dedicated import guide for it.

DriveSino's Malta import guide

Sources