FAQs

Where are the main tourist information offices?

There are tourist information offices across the Maltese Islands. Tourist information offices are located at: Valletta, Cruise Terminal of the Valletta Waterfront, Malta International Airport, Mellieħa, Mdina and in Victoria - Gozo.

For contact details and opening times, see https://www.visitmalta.com/tourist-information .

Where can I obtain information about VISA applications?

For information about VISA applications please visit the website of the Maltese Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

What do I need to import pets into Malta?

Regulations regarding the importation of pets into the Maltese Islands fall under the responsibility of the Veterinary Regulation Directorate within the Agriculture & Fisheries Regulation Department of the Ministry for Resources & Rural Affairs.  Information can be obtained from the Directorate's website: http://www.vafd.gov.mt/pet-travel-scheme or by contacting the Directorate as follows:

Phone: +356 21650393
Fax: +356 21650273
E-mail: petstravel.mrra@gov.mt

Can I take my pet with me to the beach?

Under Legal Notice 125 of 2008 - Management of Bathing Water Quality Regulations, 2008 - pets are not allowed on sandy beaches and cannot bathe in the Official Bathing Zones.

Pet owners are reminded that, where allowed, pets must be kept on a leash and care should be taken to clean up after one's pet at all times.

For further details on the subject, one might wish to contact the Environmental Health Unit on 2133 7333 or through the contact form available at http://www.ehealth.gov.mt

What are the typical opening hours for shops in Malta?

Commercial centres and shops are normally open between 9.00 a.m. and 1.00 p.m. and between 4.00 p.m. and 7 p.m.

In tourist areas, many shops remain open till 10.00 p.m.
Shops are normally closed on Sundays and Public Holidays.

What is the time difference in Malta?

Malta is in the Central European Time Zone and uses Central European Standard Time (CET) which is 1 hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT 1).

Like all European states Malta reverts to Summer (Daylight-Saving) Time and local time is shifted forward by 1 hour.  As a result, during Summer Time, Malta is 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT 2).  At the end of the Summer months time in Malta is shifted back by 1 hour to Central European Time (CET) or (GMT 1).

What are the tipping customs in Malta?

Tipping is customary in Malta and a gratuity of between 5% and 10%, whenever good service has been provided is reasonable.  However if a service charge has already been included in the bill, a tip is not necessary.  If discretion and common sense is used, you will have no problems with tipping, but it is always worth checking the individual establishment’s policy if you are unsure.

What is the situation regarding smoking in Malta? Where is smoking not permitted?

The Tobacco Control Act and Legal Notice 414 of 2004 (Smoking in Premises Open to the Public Regulations, 2004) stipulates that smoking is banned in any enclosed private or public premises which are open to the public except in designated smoking room. This means that smoking is not allowed indoors in public places, including bars and pubs, cafés and restaurants, public transport, cinemas, theatres, hospitals, and schools except in designated smoking room. However, many establishments offer an outside seating option for smokers, with some of these being equipped with heaters for the cooler months.

Smoking is also prohibited in the common areas in hotels. Some hotels may have a smokers' lounge but this is not obligatory and is at the discretion of the hotel's management. Although it is not illegal to smoke in a hotel bedroom, a hotel may have its own policies in this regard and may designate certain rooms specifically for smokers or assign rooms with balconies where one could smoke. It is advisable to check with your hotel about its smoking policy before you book.