My sincere apologies if this has already been discussed..but i looked all over the place and didnt manage to find it. Any idea how the CAA defines "cross country time?" Im a PPL building hours for the CPL/IR. Since i'm based in malta, most of my flights depart and arrive at the same airport...since we only have one

I was once told be a commercial pilot that for a flight to count as cross country you have to fly some distance away from the airport...i think it was 8nm but im not sure...can someone help me out in this?
thanks