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

ByMATHILDA HELLERAUGUST 19, 2026 14:17Malta 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’avarThe 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 demonstrator holds a Palestinian flag during an ''Act NOW against Genocide in Gaza'' protest, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Valletta, Malta, July 29, 2025 (credit: REUTERS/DARRIN ZAMMIT LUPI)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. Follow us on Google