A volcano erupted on White Island, New Zealand on 9 December 2019. Follow the instructions of local authorities. Updates are available from the New Zealand Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management.
Call 112.
Call 112 or go to the hospital.
Call 112 or go to the nearest police station.
Exercise normal safety precautions in Malta.
Use common sense and look out for suspicious behaviour, as you would in Australia.
Bag-snatching, pickpocketing and other petty crime occur. Be careful at ATMs, on buses and at popular tourist spots.
It can get rowdy around nightclubs. Stay with people you trust. Avoid confrontations.
Always be alert to terrorism. Terrorists have targeted European cities, including transport hubs and places visited by travellers. Take official warnings seriously.
Full travel advice: Safety
Traffic congestion and dust storms from North Africa can cause bad pollution. This might cause breathing problems. Follow advice from local authorities.
Medical care and facilities are good in Malta.
We have a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement with Malta. This means you can get treated in public medical facilities. You still need travel insurance.
Full travel advice: Health
Don't use or carry illegal drugs. Penalties are severe.
Malta recognises dual nationals. Dual citizens don't have to do military service.
Full travel advice: Local laws
Malta is part of the Schengen area. You can enter Malta without a visa in some cases. In other situations, you'll need to get a visa.
Declare all amounts over 10,000 euros or foreign currency equivalent.
Locals like to hunt with firearms. Hunting areas are rarely marked and can overlap with camping and public areas. Hunting seasons are in April, and September to January. Be aware of hunters.
Use your Australian driver's licence to drive in Malta for 1 year from your arrival. After that, you'll need a Maltese licence.
Only use registered taxis and authorised limousines arranged through your hotel. Taxis don't have meters. You'll need to agree on a fare with the driver.
Full travel advice: Travel
The Consular Services Charter details what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.
For consular help, contact the Australian High Commission in Malta.
Full travel advice: Local contacts
Bag-snatching, pickpocketing and other petty crime occurs in Malta.
Crime happens in areas visited by travellers, including:
nightclubs
beaches
markets
hotels
rented apartments
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:
pay close attention to your belongings, particularly in crowded areas and on buses
avoid ATMs that open onto the street, especially at night
use ATMs in banks, shops and shopping centres.
keep luggage and personal possessions out of sight in parked cars
Poor crowd control and excessive drinking in and around nightclubs can lead to violence.
To stay safe in and around nightclubs:
stay with people you trust in bars and nightclubs
avoid confrontations
never accept food or drinks from strangers
never leave your drink unattended
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:
public transport
transport hubs
places visited by travellers
To stay safe from terrorism:
be alert in public places
be careful when visiting possible terrorist targets
check the news for new threats
take official warnings seriously
follow the instructions of local authorities
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:
crowds
protests
demonstrations
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:
confirm your plans with your tour operator or travel provider
check the condition of your facilities with your local tour operator
Register with the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System to receive alerts on major disasters.
Get comprehensive travel insurance before you leave. 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.
See your doctor or travel clinic to:
have a basic health check-up
ask if your travel plans may affect your health
plan any vaccinations you need
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 medicine for your trip.
Carry a letter from your doctor stating:
what the medicine is
how much you'll take
that it's for personal use
More information:
Health risks in Malta are similar to those in Australia.
To protect yourself:
check the media and other sources for new health risks
follow the advice of local health authorities
Malta is currently experiencing an outbreak of measles. Make sure your vaccinations are up-to-date before you travel.
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:
seek medical advice
follow advice from local authorities about reducing exposure
check an air quality index
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:
Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders.
Make sure you meet all entry and exit conditions. If you don't, the Australian Government can't help you.
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:
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 will 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:
camping areas
country walkways
other public areas
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:
be alert to the presence of hunters
seek local advice on how to avoid incidents
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:
narrow
congested
susceptible to flash flooding in heavy rain
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:
Valletta and Sliema
Valletta and Cospicua
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:
family and friends
travel agent
insurance provider
employer
airline
Call 112.
Call 112 or go to the hospital.
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.