The e-residence registration that so many are complaining about is mainly due to EU directives and has not been invented by the Maltese to drive foreigners mad.

EU citizens exercising treaty rights anywhere in the EU, staying longer than 90 days, must demonstrate economic activity or sufficient resources so as not be a burden on that country, that is they must be employed, self-sufficient/retired, self-employed or student and provide various documents to back up their status. This includes registering for social security, or with the Tax Department, and having health insurance or a reciprocal agreement.

This would apply to a French person in the UK, for example, obtaining a registration certificate and vice versa. The EU wants everyone to have biometric identity (nationals) or residence registration (non-nationals outside their country). Therefore, in France you need a carte du séjour instead. Of course, the French require you to translate all your supporting documents.

In Austria, the equivalent costs €67, in the Netherlands €41. Non-EU residents also have to register but their criteria are different.

Regarding a two-hour wait someone complained of, try doing this in the UK and you will find that “we deal with all applications within six months”, during which time they keep the applicant’s passport.

So let us not complain about the overworked staff who have to implement this system that was produced by the EU.