In a Media Release issued today, the Malta High Commission in Canberra drew the attention of the general public and in particular the Maltese community in Australia and New Zealand to Legal Notice 308/2012 as published in the Malta Government Gazette of 28 September 2012.
The Legal Notice proposes the repeal of the previous Identity Card Act and replaces it by the Identity Card and other Identity Documents Act 2012.
Article 4 of the new Act requires Maltese nationals returning to Malta with the intention of setting up permanent residence to apply for an ID card as soon as possible after their return to Malta. Where this is requested during the first six months of residence, applicants are granted an initial Identity Card valid for six months which will be replaced by a new one when this period expires. The initial ID cards issued for the first six months of residence cannot be used for travel purposes.
The draft Act is expected to enter into force by the end of November 2012.
This measure, once in force, will address the various concerns of the Maltese living abroad about having an ID card when returning to Malta.
