23 March 2021
There's a ban on overseas travel from Australia. You can’t leave Australia unless you have an exemption from the Department of Home Affairs, or are travelling to a destination that is exempt from the ban.
Our global travel advice remains at 'Do not travel' due to the health risks from the COVID-19 pandemic and the significant disruptions to global travel. Some destinations were already set at Do Not Travel prior to COVID-19 due to the extreme risk to your safety.
If you’re overseas and wish to return to Australia, be prepared for delays and read our advice on trying to get home.
When you arrive in Australia you must quarantine for 14 days at designated facilities in your port of arrival, unless you have an exemption or are travelling on a quarantine-free flight from a green zone destination. At this time, vaccination against COVID-19 does not change this quarantine requirement. You may be required to pay for the costs of your quarantine. View State and Territory Government COVID-19 information for information about quarantine and domestic borders.
If you're staying overseas, make plans to stay for an extended period. Follow the advice of local authorities and minimise your risk of exposure to COVID-19. Stay in touch with family and friends so they know you're safe.
Our network of embassies and consular posts around the world will provide you with up-to-date local advice and support throughout this difficult period. Be aware consular services may be limited due to local measures.
For the latest information, read and subscribe to our news and travel advice. Also see our COVID-19 information pages.
Call 112.
Call 112 or go to the hospital.
Call 112 or go to the nearest police station.
Do not travel in Malta
Do not travel overseas due to the health risks from the COVID-19 pandemic and the significant disruptions to global travel.
Full travel advice: Safety
Full travel advice: Health
Full travel advice: Local laws
Full travel advice: Travel
Full travel advice: Local contacts
Bag-snatching, pickpocketing and other petty crime occurs in Malta.
Crime happens in areas visited by travellers, including:
Thieves target people using ATMs. Theft from parked cars occurs.
Pickpocketing also happens on main bus routes, especially the 13, 14, 15 and 16 services from Sliema, St. Julian's and Paceville to Valletta.
To stay safe from petty crime:
Poor crowd control and excessive drinking in and around nightclubs can lead to violence.
To stay safe in and around nightclubs:
More information:
While there have been no recent terrorist attacks in Malta, they can still happen.
Terrorists have attacked European cities in recent years.
European security services have also stopped planned terrorist attacks.
Terrorist targets have included:
To stay safe from terrorism:
Report any suspicious activity or items to police.
If there's an attack, leave the affected area immediately if it's safe to do so.
Terrorism is a threat worldwide.
More information:
Demonstrations in Malta are rare.
Public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent.
To stay safe, avoid:
Monitor the media and other sources for possible unrest.
Follow the advice of local authorities.
More information:
Severe weather can affect your travel plans.
Monitor local media for updates.
If you plan to visit an area affected by severe weather:
Register with the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System to receive alerts on major disasters.
Get comprehensive travel insurance before you leave. A ban on overseas travel from Australia remains in place. You can’t leave Australia unless you get an exemption from the Department of Home Affairs.
Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. The Australian Government won't pay for these costs.
If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.
If you're not insured, you may have to pay many 1000s of dollars up-front for medical care.
Confirm:
what activities and care your policy covers
that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away
Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition. Consider whether you may be in a vulnerable category for COVID-19.
See your doctor or travel clinic to:
Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.
More information:
Not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in Australia is available in other countries. Some may even be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.
If you plan to bring medication, check if it's legal in Malta. Take enough legal medication for your trip.
Carry a letter from your doctor stating:
More information:
COVID-19
COVID-19 remains a risk in Malta.The government has set up a dedicated hotline for COVID-19: call 111 if you have symptoms or concerns.
For information on Malta's COVID−19 vaccination program, refer to advice by the Maltese Ministry of Health. You should consult your local health professional for advice on vaccine options, including assistance that may be available locally. The Australian Government cannot provide advice on the safety, quality and efficacy of vaccines that have been approved for use outside of Australia's regulatory process.
More information:
Various factors including traffic congestion, fireworks residue, construction and dust storms from North Africa can cause high pollution levels. This increases the risk of breathing problems. If you have a heart or lung condition, you may be affected.
To protect yourself from air pollution:
The standard of medical facilities and care in Malta is generally good.
However, if you become seriously ill or injured, you may need to be evacuated to the United Kingdom or another European country for treatment.
Medical evacuation can be very expensive. Treatment can be expensive, too.
There are decompression chambers at Mater Dei Hospital and Gozo General Hospital.
Malta and Australia have a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement.
The agreement covers you for up to 6 months after you arrive in Malta.
It gives you 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 insurance with good medical cover.
You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling, especially for an extended stay.
If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our Consular Services Charter. But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.
Penalties for drug offences are severe and include long jail sentences and heavy fines.
More information:
Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you're overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.
More information:
Malta recognises dual nationality.
There are no military or civil service obligations for dual citizens.
More information:
Malta is a part of the Schengen area.
You can enter Malta without a visa in some circumstances. In other circumstances, you'll need a visa.
Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Contact the High Commission of Malta for details about visas, currency, customs and quarantine rules.
More information:
Entry to and departure from Malta
Travel to the EU and Schengen Area is restricted.
Commercial flights into and from Malta are operating. The seaport is open.
Malta allows some visitors if you're travelling from an approved area. You'll need to guarantee you've spent the last two weeks prior to your travel in an approved area. Australia is currently on the approved list. The list of approved areas may change. Check it regularly.
Anyone entering Malta must provide a negative COVID-19 test (PCR) taken within 72 hours prior to arrival, regardless of the country you're coming from.
You may be granted an exemption to enter if you're not travelling from an approved area and your proposed travel is for essential purposes. In that case, other restrictions will apply. You can find full details and how to apply for an exemption through the Ministry of Health.
Contact your travel provider or your nearest embassy or consulate of Malta to confirm entry requirements.
Staying in Malta
It's mandatory to wear face masks or visors at all times in public spaces, both indoor and outdoor. A fine of 100 Euros applies for those not wearing a mask in required areas. The fine can be reduced to 50 Euros if the offence is admitted to, and the fine paid, prior to any court hearing. Details on limited exemptions from mask wearing can be found here.
There are restrictions on gatherings. Mixing of different households in private homes is discouraged and is limited to people from four households only. You must not gather in a group larger than four people in public spaces, unless you are from the same household. This includes at bus stops and in queues, except where you can keep a distance of two metres from others. Fines of 300 Euros apply for each person gathered in a larger group.
Travel to Gozo is banned except for work purposes and for Gozo residents.
Contact sports are banned for children under 16, and all other organised sports are suspended.
Most entertainment and sporting venues (including gyms, cinemas, and theatres), and all bars and social clubs, are closed until further notice. Restaurants, cafes, snack bars and kiosks are open for takeaway or delivery only. Hotels can only offer room service.
If you're staying in Malta:
Some countries won't let you enter unless your passport is valid for 6 months after you plan to leave that country. This can apply even if you're just transiting or stopping over.
Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.
You can end up stranded if your passport is not valid for more than 6 months.
The Australian Government does not set these rules. Check your passport's expiry date before you travel. If you're not sure it'll be valid for long enough, consider getting a new passport.
Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes.
Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport. Always keep it in a safe place.
If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible:
In Australia, contact the Australian Passport Information Service.
If you're overseas, contact the nearest Australian embassy or consulate.
The official currency of Malta is the Euro.
You need to declare all amounts over 10,000 euros or equivalent if you're travelling between Malta and any non-European Union (EU) country. This covers all forms of currency, not only cash.
If you don't declare your money, or you give incorrect information, you'll be fined.
You don't need to declare cash if you're travelling to or from another EU country.
Hunting with firearms is common in rural Malta.
Hunting areas are rarely marked and can overlap with:
The spring hunting season is in April. The government announces the exact dates in March each year.
The autumn hunting season usually runs from 1 September to 31 January.
During hunting season, hunting is allowed during set times of the day, which can change each year. However, hunting may occur outside these times and in undesignated locations.
To stay safe if you visit a rural area during a hunting season:
Road travel is hazardous because of poor local driving standards and road conditions.
Locals regularly don't use indicators, and often ignore road markings, pedestrian crossings, stop or give way signs and traffic lights.
Roads can be:
Many roads don't have footpaths.
More information
If you're involved in a minor rear-end collision and no one is injured, you don't need to contact the police or local wardens.
If you're involved in any other accident, you must contact the local wardens on (+356) 2132 0202.
Don't move your vehicle until wardens have recorded the details of the accident.
If you're involved in a traffic accident that causes injury, you must contact the police on (+356) 2122 4001 or call them on 112.
More information
You don't need an International Driving Permit, you can use your Australian driver's licence to drive in Malta for one year from your arrival.
If you're planning to live in Malta, you can exchange your Australian licence for a Maltese licence.
More information:
Check with your travel insurer whether your policy covers you when riding a motorbike, quad bike or similar vehicle.
Always wear a helmet.
Only use registered taxis and authorised limousines. Arrange these through your hotel.
Taxis don't have meters. Set fares will be advertised for certain destinations or you'll need to agree on the fare with the driver in advance.
The public bus system that services main cities is generally reliable.
Some routes may be very crowded, and some buses aren't able to pick up passengers at all stops.
Pickpocketing occurs on buses, particularly on popular tourist routes.
Passenger ferries operate between:
A car and passenger ferry operates regularly between Cirkewwa and the island of Gozo.
More information:
Many cruise ships stop in Malta.
More information:
DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.
Check Malta's air safety profile with the Aviation Safety Network.
More information:
Depending on what you need, contact your:
Call 112.
Call 112 or go to the hospital.
Malta Health Authorities 2132 4086 (COVID-19)
Call 112 or go to the nearest police station.
Always get a police report when reporting a crime.
Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.
Contact your provider with any complaints about tourist services or products.
The Visit Malta tourism office may also be able to provide advice. You can contact them directly at one of their offices or call them on their 'freephone' service 80 072 230 (local calls only).
Read the Consular Services Charter for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.
For consular assistance, contact the Australian High Commission in Malta.
Ta' Xbiex Terrace
Ta' Xbiex
Telephone: (+356) 2133 8201
Facsimile: (+356) 2134 4059
Email consular.malta@dfat.gov.au
Website: malta.highcommission.gov.au
Facebook: Australian High Commission, Malta
Twitter: AusHCMalta
Check the High Commission website for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.
In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:
+61 2 6261 3305 from overseas
1300 555 135 in Australia
Be the first to know official government advice when travelling.