S.L. 217.4 Art. 15Enteringorleaving a border crossing point.

(1) In general there shall be no border checks on Maltese citizens and citizens of the Union entering or leaving a border crossing point provided that this shall not affect the obligation of any person to hold and carry such permits and documents as are required to be held. The competent authorities may exercise police powers under Maltese law throughout Maltese territory as may be required.

(2) The Minister may by Order, in the interests of public policy or national security, provide that for a limited period border checks appropriate to the situation be carried out at the border crossing point, provided that the Minister shall, at the earliest opportunity, inform the other Member States.

(3) When border checks are carried out, every person shall be subject to at least one check carried out with a view to establishing his identity on the basis of such travel documents as may be required and in addition, the following principles shall apply:

(a) citizens of the Union, including Maltese nationals, their vehicles and objects shall only be subjected to random border checks and such checks shall include the verification of the travel documents and of the other conditions governing entry and residence including the documentation mentioned in these regulations and also checks to detect and prevent threats to the national security and public policy; and

(b) regular border checks shall be carried out on third country nationals, including in this case, a check to establish that the third country national is, where required, in possession of a valid visa.