Voluntary repatriation scheme for all foreign nationals
7622 Mins Read
Foreign nationals who wish to return to their home country will be able to do so at a subsidized cost following a voluntary repatriation scheme launched this afternoon by the Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs.
Over the past weeks Malta has assisted thousands of residents and tourists who expressed their desire, and in some cases need, to return to their home country. Malta was the first country in Europe to close flights from Italy, Spain, France, Germany and Switzerland on the 10th of March 2020.
While this step helped our country contain the spread locally, this has resulted in thousands of individuals being stranded in Malta. As such, Malta offered individuals from these nations to repatriate through subsidized flights. In fact, 4,206 individuals were repatriated over the past three weeks.
The Maltese Government is now extending the call to all foreign nationals, who either resided or who were here on a temporary visit, and who wish to be repatriated to their home country. These flights, especially ones outside of Europe, are being heavily subsidized by the Maltese Government as a form of assistance to all foreign individuals on a humanitarian basis.
Assistance is also available to European Union citizens and third-country nationals who have been staying in Malta for different purposes such as employment, education and family reasons, among others. Foreign individuals who are not in possession of a residence document are also entitled to assistance.
Scheme open until 19th April
These individuals are being asked to register their interest to utilise one of these repatriation flights on the following link: https://foreignandeu.gov.mt/apply by Sunday 19th April 2020.
On Monday 13th April 2020 a helpline will be launched to assist on queries and telephone registrations.
The dates of these flights will be announced over the coming weeks.
The Ministry said that a nominal fee shall apply to all bookings. Individuals who book a seat for a flight but do not turn up shall incur the full cost of the flight.
