EORI Registration in Malta

The EORI number is similar to the VAT number in order to avoid major changes in the operating systems of the authorities. Business owners who want to set up trading companies and obtain EORI numbers in 2026 can rely on the support of our lawyers in Malta.

EORI in Malta

The EORI system is implemented at a national level and at the EU level. The Customs Department of the Malta Tax and Customs Administration allocates EORI numbers to economic operators who have dealings with the Maltese authorities and that EORI number will be valid throughout the Community. After the Maltese authorities have allocated an EORI number to an economic operator, they must inform the European Commission of all details and information regarding the economic operator. All information is stored by the European Commission in its database and it can be accessed by authorities in any EU member state only with the approval of the economic trader in question. Maltese authorities first request the consent of economic traders before publishing any data about them.

Our law firm in Malta can help foreign companies set up businesses here to register for EORI numbers. We can also help you open a business in other countries with the help of our local partners. 

Are EORI numbers mandatory for companies in Malta?

No, EORI registration is not mandatory for trading activities within the country or with other EU member states. EORI registration becomes mandatory when a company or individual engages in commercial activities which need to go through Customs with countries outside the EU.

If you need information on how to register for EORI in 2026, our lawyers in Malta are at your disposal with complete information. It is useful to know that the procedure is simple and can be completed in just a few steps.

EORI registration requirements in Malta in 2026

Any EORI registration lacking a valid postcode in its records became unusable in NCTS and/or AES systems. Consequently, all Economic Operators participating in transit or AES-based export procedures were required to ensure their EORI registration included a valid postcode. This implies that starting in February if your shipment encounters border delays due to a missing postcode, it may be held until the necessary information is updated by the National Authority of the Member State where your company is registered. To prevent such problems, all Economic Operators should review the data in their EORI registration and, if necessary, amend it to include a valid postcode. Our Maltese lawyers can also offer you help in this regard.

Both individuals and companies in Malta are required to apply for EORI numbers upon their first interaction with the Customs Authorities for trading with countries outside the EU. It should be noted that in order to register for EORI, an individual or company first needs to obtain a VAT number. Here are the requirements you need to consider for EORI registration in 2026:

• For this purpose, a VAT certificate must be obtained from the local tax office in the Maltese city the business or citizen is registered, respectively lives in.
• The EORI number assigned will be unique and will allow for easy recognition of an operator by the customs authorities in all EU countries. Also, the EORI number obtained is valid on the entire EU territory.
• Companies registered outside the EU can also register for EORI in Malta if their first interaction with an EU customs authority takes place here. The EORI number obtained in Malta of the non-EU entity will be valid throughout the entire EU territory, just like in the case of a domestic one.

With vast expertise in various fields, our Maltese law firm can help foreign companies set up their presence in this country and obtain the necessary licenses and permits, as well as EORI numbers to trade in the EU. You can read about the EORI registration procedure in Malta in the scheme below:

Structure of EORI number in Malta

All Maltese EORI numbers start with the country code which is MT. Since the decision to make EORI numbers similar to the companies’ VAT numbers, EORI numbers in Malta correspond with the economic operators’ VAT numbers, with a few exceptions. In customs declarations, economic operators must enter their VAT number with the country code MT in front.

Registration for EORI in Malta in 2026

In order to register for EORI in Malta in 2026, economic operators must contact the Customs House in Valletta and submit the VAT certificate, the certificate of registration issued by the Malta Business Registry (MBR), and a copy of the identification document of the director of the company in Malta. For an economic operator outside the Community, an application under the Union Customs Code (Regulation (EU) No 952/2013) and its implementing rules must be submitted.

Activities to be completed based on EORI registration in Malta

EORI numbers allow for easy administration of economic operators’ activities and will significantly reduce the time spent on customs operations. Several activities can be completed based on an EOR number, among these we mention the following:

1. file summary and customs declarations with the Customs authorities in Malta or other EU states;
2. file exit and entry summary declarations for temporary admission import procedures;
3. operate temporary storage facilities on the territory of Malta or other EU states;
4. apply for various authorizations and certificates, including Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) certificates with Customs authorities.

Companies should formally request the EORI code from the Maltese customs authorities where the company first exports.  Once the economic operator receives the EORI number, it can use it for customs operations in any EU member state.

Foreign traders applying for EORI numbers in Malta

Foreign citizens and companies entering trading relations with a Maltese company for the first time will need to lodge their EORI registration application with the Maltese Customs Authorities. They will be required to submit copies of their identification papers in the case of individuals, respectively, copies of the Certificate of Registration and the VAT certificate. 

For foreign companies that want to develop trading activities with Malta, the EORI number is formed of the MT prefix of the country, the trader’s country code, and the number assigned by the Customs Authority in Malta. Our Maltese lawyers provide more information on the structure of the EORI number.

How long does it take to obtain an EORI number in Malta?

Provided that the documents required by the Maltese Customs are in place, it takes no more than 4 or 5 working days to obtain the EORI number for local companies, sole traders, and residents. In the case of foreign operators, the procedure can take a few days longer.

A new digital system applicable in Malta

EORI in Malta remains the standard requirement in customs verifications for economic operators within the EU countries. Nevertheless, theNew Computerized Transit System (NCTS) has been implemented in Malta. This system was created to provide better verification of the transport of consumer goods between importing and exporting countries. The NCTS is a new digital system that allows business owners and retailers to introduce transit with complete protection. This system covers unified national applications on a shared network on 3 levels:

• external domain,
• national domain,
• common domain.

EORI updates for 2026

For better control of the trading activities of companies in Malta, the EORI number aligns with the VAT ID. Here are other important updates to consider:

• Companies not established in the EU must appoint a Maltese representative to obtain an EORI number for customs declarations.
• Economic operators in Malta can verify the validity of their EORI number right after submission, with the help of the official platform that can be accessed by business owners.
• Malta is in full digital transformation, including in the trading sector, where it is desired to align with the EU Directive regarding real-time VAT reporting. Advanced digital solutions will also apply to the EORI holders.

Would you like to buy a house in Malta? Our lawyers can offer you the necessary legal support to purchase the chosen property, starting with the verification of the involved documents and ending with the representation before the notary, at the time of signing. We mention that foreigners can purchase office spaces, residential properties, lands, and villas if they are not owned by the state. Contact us by phone or online to benefit from legal support in this endeavor. Plus, if you want details about EORI registration in 2026 or want to set up a business, you can contact our law firm in Malta.