Europe
Malta
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Still current at: 25 July 2008
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Updated: 18 July 2008
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This advice has been reviewed and reissued with an amendment to the Road Travel section (removal of reference to bus, taxi and minibus drivers' strike). The overall level of the advice has not changed.
(see travel advice legal disclaimer)
Travel advice for this country
See entire profile
Travel Summary
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There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be in public places, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
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Around 450,000 British tourists visit Malta every year (Source: Ministry of Tourism). Most visits are trouble-free. The main type of incidents for which British nationals required consular assistance in Malta in 2007 were for: replacing lost or stolen passports (over 70 cases); deaths, mainly from natural causes (38 cases); hospitalisations (27 cases); and arrests or detentions, mainly for drugs offences (13 cases).
- We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake. See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance for more details.
Safety and security
Terrorism
There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be in public places, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be in public places, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
For more general information see Terrorism Abroad.
Crime
Crime against tourists is rare although robberies, handbag snatching, pickpocketing and theft from parked cars can occur. Visitors should safeguard passports, money and other valuables; for example by using hotel safety deposit boxes.
For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad.
Political Situation
Malta Country Profile
Local Travel
Political Situation
Malta Country Profile
Local Travel
Road Travel
You can drive in Malta on your UK driving licence.
Caution should be exercised whilst driving as some roads are in a poor state of repair. Main arterial roads are in reasonable condition. You should keep to the speed limits. Local standards of driving are poor. In 2006 there were 10 road deaths in Malta (source: DfT). This equates to 2.5 road deaths per 100,000 of population and compares to the UK average of 5.5 road deaths per 100,000 of population in 2005.
For more general information see Driving Abroad.
Air Travel
The revised EU-wide security measures that came into effect for all passengers departing from UK airports in November 2006 are also being implemented in Malta. For more details about this see Airline Security.
Local laws and customs
Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Malta are strict and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and heavy fines.
For more general information for different types of travellers see Travel Advice Relevant to You.
Entry requirements
Visas
British nationals do not require a visa to visit Malta.
If you intend to work in Malta then you must apply for a work permit.
If you intend to work in Malta then you must apply for a work permit.
Passports
You should ensure that your passport is valid for the duration of your visit.
Travelling with children
Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country. This does not apply to Malta.
Travelling with children
Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country. This does not apply to Malta.
Health
Hospital treatment, in-patient or out-patient, at the public (Government) facility of Mater Dei Hospital is free to British nationals and is of an acceptable standard. Alternative (private) treatment may incur considerable expense, which you may be unable to claim back from your insurance company.
The Form E111 is no longer valid. You should obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving the UK. The EHIC is not a substitute for medical and travel insurance, but entitles you to emergency medical treatment on the same terms as Malta nationals. It also does not cover you for medical repatriation, on-going medical treatment or treatment of a non-urgent nature. For more general information see EHIC.
You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.
You should seek medical advice before travelling to Malta and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the NaTHNaC and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.
For more general health information see Travel Health.
The Form E111 is no longer valid. You should obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving the UK. The EHIC is not a substitute for medical and travel insurance, but entitles you to emergency medical treatment on the same terms as Malta nationals. It also does not cover you for medical repatriation, on-going medical treatment or treatment of a non-urgent nature. For more general information see EHIC.
You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.
You should seek medical advice before travelling to Malta and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the NaTHNaC and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.
For more general health information see Travel Health.
General
Insurance
We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake. For more general information see Travel Insurance.
If things do go wrong when you are oversees then this is How We Can Help.
Registration
Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency. More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.
If things do go wrong when you are oversees then this is How We Can Help.
Registration
Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency. More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.
Money
Since 15 June 2007 new legislation on the controls of cash entering or leaving the EU apply in all Member States. Any person entering or leaving the EU will have to declare the cash that they are carrying if this amounts to 10,000 euros or more; this includes cheques, travellers' cheques, money orders, etc. This will not apply to anyone travelling via the EU to a non-EU country, as long as the original journey started outside of the EU nor to those travelling within the EU. Malta adopted the Euro currency on 1 January 2008.
Travel advice for this country
See entire profile
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contacts
Malta, Valletta, British High Commission
Address:
British High Commission
Whitehall Mansions
Ta' Xbiex Seafront
Ta' Xbiex XBX 1026
Malta GC
Telephone:
(356) 2323 0000 (General)
Fax:
(356) 2323 2234 (Consular & Visa)
Email: mailto:bhcvalletta@fco.gov.uk
Email: mailto:consular.valletta@fco.gov.uk
Office hours:
Mon-Fri: 0830-1200 & 1230-1500
Passport and consular:
Mon-Fri: 0845-1200 & 1230-1400
Local Time:
Winter (from 10 Sep): GMT+1hr
Summer (from 9 July): GMT+2hr
Website: http://www.ukinmalta.fco.gov.uk