Summary
- We advise you to exercise normal safety precautions in Malta.
- Exercise common sense and look out for suspicious behaviour, as you would in Australia.
- There is an ongoing risk of terrorism in Europe. In the past, terrorist attacks have occurred in a number of European cities.
- Be a smart traveller. Before heading overseas:
- organise comprehensive travel insurance and check what circumstances and activities are not covered by your policy
- register your travel and contact details, so we can contact you in an emergency
- subscribe to this travel advice to receive free email updates each time it's reissued.
Entry and exit
Visa and other entry and exit conditions (such as currency, customs and quarantine regulations) can be subject to change. Contact the nearest High Commission or Consulate of Malta for the most up to date information.
Malta is party to the Schengen Agreement, along with 25 other European countries, which allows Australians to enter Malta without a visa in some circumstances. See our travel bulletin on the Schengen Convention for more information.
People travelling directly to or from a country outside the European Union (EU) who are carrying 10,000 euros or more (or the equivalent amount in another currency) are required to declare the cash at the place of their arrival or departure from the EU. Under the legislation, the term "cash" includes cheques, travellers' cheques and money orders. Travellers failing to declare the cash or providing incomplete or incorrect information will incur a fine. There is no requirement to declare cash for people travelling to or from another EU country.
Make sure your passport has at least six months' validity from your planned date of return to Australia. You should carry copies of a recent passport photo with you in case you need a replacement passport while overseas.
Safety and security
Terrorism
Terrorism is a threat throughout the world. You can find more information about this threat in our General advice to Australian travellers.
There is an ongoing risk of terrorism in Europe. In the past, terrorist attacks have occurred in a number of European cities.
Crime
Malta has a low incidence of serious crime. However, petty crime, including bag snatching and pickpocketing, can occur, particularly in areas frequented by tourists. You should maintain a high level of personal awareness when visiting nightclub areas late at night.
Money and valuables
Before you go, organise a variety of ways to access your money overseas, such as credit cards, travellers' cheques, cash, debit cards or cash cards. Australian currency and travellers' cheques are not accepted in many countries. Consult with your bank to find out which is the most appropriate currency to carry and whether your ATM card will work overseas.
The official currency of Malta is the Euro. Foreign currencies can easily be exchanged at banks, foreign exchange bureaux and special ATMs.
Make two photocopies of valuables such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.
While travelling, don't carry too much cash and remember that expensive watches, jewellery and cameras may be tempting targets for thieves.
As a sensible precaution against luggage tampering, including theft, lock your luggage. Information on luggage safety is available from Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive to criminals who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always be kept in a safe place. You are required by Australian law to report a lost or stolen passport. If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, report it online or contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible.
You are required to pay an additional fee to have a lost or stolen passport replaced. In some cases, the Government may also restrict the length of validity or type of replacement passports.
Local travel
You should drive with caution as the country's roads are poorly maintained. Larger regional roads have been improved in recent times. The standard of driving is generally poor, and particularly erratic in wet weather. You can drive in Malta on your Australian driving licence for a period not exceeding 12 months from the date of your arrival in Malta. Australians taking up residence in Malta may exchange their Australian licence for an equivalent Maltese licence. For further advice, see our Road travel page.
Airline safety
Please refer to our Air travel page for information about aviation safety and security.
Laws
When you are in Malta, be aware that local laws and penalties, including ones that appear harsh by Australian standards, do apply to you. If you are arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you but we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.
Information on what Australian consular officers can and cannot do to help Australians in trouble overseas is available from the Consular Services Charter.
Laws for the possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are generally strict. Penalties can include jail sentences, heavy fines and confiscation of property.
Some Australian criminal laws, such as those relating to money laundering, bribery of foreign public officials, terrorism, child pornography and child sex tourism, apply to Australian overseas. Australians who commit these offences while overseas may be prosecuted in Australia.
Australian authorities are committed to combating sexual exploitation of children by Australians overseas. Australians may be prosecuted at home under Australian child sex tourism and child pornography laws. These laws provide severe penalties of up to 25 years’ imprisonment for Australians who engage in child sexual exploitation while outside of Australia.
Information for dual nationals
Dual nationality is recognised in Malta. There are no military/civil service obligations for dual nationals.
Our Dual nationals page provides further information.
Health
We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance that will cover any overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation, before you depart. Confirm that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away and check what circumstances and activities are not included in your policy. Adventure tourists, in particular, should ensure their insurance covers costs for an evacuation by air ambulance. Remember, regardless of how healthy and fit you are, if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. The Australian Government will not pay for a traveller's medical expenses overseas or medical evacuation costs.
Your doctor or travel clinic is the best source of information about preventive measures, immunisations (including booster doses of childhood vaccinations) and disease outbreaks overseas. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides information for travellers and our Health page also provides useful tips for travelling with medicines and staying healthy while overseas.
The general standard of medical facilities and care in Malta is good. However, in the event of a serious accident or illness, a medical evacuation to another European city or the United Kingdom may be necessary, costing from $A15,000 to $A30,000.
Malta and Australia are signatories to a reciprocal health care agreement which covers travellers for up to six months from their date of arrival in Malta. The agreement provides Australians with access to government medical facilities and care but does not provide for ongoing treatment of existing health conditions. The Reciprocal Health Care Agreement does not replace the need for private travel health insurance. See the website of the Department of Human Services for more information.
Diving is a popular tourist pursuit in Malta. Decompression chambers are located at Mater Dei Hospital and Gozo General Hospital.
Where to get help
In Malta, you can obtain consular assistance from the:
Australian High Commission, Malta
Ta' Xbiex Terrace
TA' XBIEX
Telephone: + 356 21338201
Facsimile: +356 21344059
Email aushicom@onvol.net
website: www.malta.embassy.gov.au
If you are travelling to Malta, whatever the reason and however long you'll be there, we encourage you to register with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. You can register online or in person at any Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate. The information you provide will help us to contact you in an emergency - whether it is a natural disaster, civil disturbance or a family issue.
In a consular emergency if you are unable to contact the above mission, you can contact the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or 1300 555 135 within Australia.
In Australia, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra may be contacted on (02) 6261 3305.
Additional information
For parents
For general information and tips on travelling with children see our Travelling with children page.