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TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: Maltese drivers may drive more aggressively and with less caution than visitors anticipate. Roads flood easily and are often narrow, winding and congested, with poor visibility around curves.

• In Malta, automobiles drive on the left-hand side of the road.
• Buses are the primary means of public transportation.
• Taxis are safe but expensive and are not metered. Agree on the charge with the driver in advance.

Please see our road safety page for more information. Visit the website of Malta?s national tourist office and national authority responsible for road safety.

AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government of Malta?s Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Malta?s air carrier operations. Further information may be found on the FAA?s safety assessment page.

Maritime Travel: Mariners planning travel to Malta should check for U.S. maritime advisories and alerts at the Maritime Security Communications with Industry Web Portal. Information may also be posted to the U.S. Coast Guard homeport website and as a broadcast warning on the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency?s website. 

Medical care is available from private and government clinics and hospitals. The quality of medical care in Malta is at U.S. standards; however, customer service standards are lower, there are cultural differences with regard to communication, and there may be long waiting times for non-urgent medical care. Medical specialists are few. Private hospitals generally offer better customer service, shorter wait times, and more amenities. Mater Dei is Malta?s main government hospital. Though it offers full service, including a modern emergency room and trauma facilities, it can be crowded and difficult to navigate.

The U.S. Government does not pay medical bills. Be aware that U.S. Medicare does not apply overseas.

Medical Insurance: Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Most overseas care providers only accept cash payments. See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage.

We strongly recommend supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation.

If traveling with prescription medication, check with the Government of Malta and its Medicines Authority to ensure the medication is legal in Malta. Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging with your doctor?s prescription.

Vaccinations: Be up-to-date on all vaccinations recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Further health information:

• World Health Organization
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Criminal Penalties: You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Your U.S. passport will not help you avoid arrest or prosecution.

• Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Malta are severe.
• Malta?s laws on the rights of arrestees are different from the United States. For example, once you have contacted a lawyer, you lose your right to remain silent.

Judicial Proceedings for Criminal Offenses in Malta: Trials typically last five to seven years and are characterized by lengthy and sometimes unpredictable delays between hearings. Foreign nationals can expect to be denied bail while a court case is ongoing, which can result in lengthy periods of pre-trial detention ranging from several months to several years. Obtaining no-fee legal aid can be a slow and difficult process, delaying already lengthy judicial proceedings.

Furthermore, some crimes are also prosecutable in the United States regardless of local law. For examples, see our website on crimes against minors abroad and the Department of Justice website.

Arrest Notification: If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. See our webpage for further information.

Customs and Currency Restrictions: Malta customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning currency restrictions and temporary importation into or export from Malta of items such as firearms, antiquities, or any item that might be deemed to have resale value. It is advisable to contact the Maltese Embassy in Washington, D.C. for specific information regarding customs requirements.

• Malta?s customs authorities encourage the use of an ATA (Admission Temporaire/Temporary Admission) Carnet for the temporary admission of professional equipment, commercial samples and/or goods for exhibitions and fair purposes. The U.S. Council for International Business issues and guarantees the ATA Carnet in the United States.

Faith-Based Travelers: See the following webpages for details:

• Faith-Based Travel Information
• International Religious Freedom Report ? see country reports
• Human Rights Report ? see country reports
• Hajj Fact Sheet for Travelers
• Best Practices for Volunteering Abroad

LGBTI RIGHTS: There are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations or the organization of LGBTI events in Malta.

See the LGBTI Travel Information page and Section 6 of the State Department?s Human Rights Report for further details.

Travelers Who Require Accessibility Assistance: Very few public or private spaces in Malta are wheelchair accessible. Public transportation and most sidewalks or footpaths, including road crossings, are not accessible for those with mobility challenges. Many apartments lack elevators.

• Taxis are readily available, but the cost is substantially higher than public buses.

Students: See the students abroad page and FBI travel tips.

Women Travelers: See travel tips for women travelers.

Credible information indicates terrorist groups continue plotting attacks in Europe. European governments are taking action to guard against terrorist attacks; however, all European countries remain potentially vulnerable to attacks from transnational terrorist organizations. Malta?s open borders with members of the Schengen zone allow the possibility of individual terrorists entering/exiting the country undetected.

CRIME: The most commonly reported crimes are simple assault, pick-pocketing, and petty theft. While armed robberies, sexual assaults, and homicides are not as common as in some major U.S. cities, they do occur. Criminals focus on areas and establishments frequented by tourists.

• Secure your valuables, and be aware of pick-pockets and purse snatchers.
• Theft of unattended property is a very common problem.

See the Department of State and the FBI pages for information on scams.

Nightclubs: You should be careful in the Paceville nightclub area, where excessive drinking, large crowds, and interaction with heavy-handed bouncers can lead to violence, including some that appears to be racially-motivated. Criminals have drugged some travelers at bars and robbed and assaulted them.

Victims of Crime: Report crimes to the local police by dialing 112 and contact the U.S. Embassy at (+356) 2561-4000.

Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crimes.

See our webpage on help for U.S. victims of crime overseas.

We can:

• Help you find appropriate medical care
• Assist you in reporting a crime to the police
• Contact relatives or friends with your written consent
• Explain the local criminal justice process in general terms
• Provide a list of local attorneys who meet minimal embassy vetting standards
• Provide our information on victim?s compensation programs in the U.S.
• Provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support in cases of destitution
• Help you find accommodation and arrange flights home
• Replace a stolen or lost passport

Domestic Violence: U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence should contact the Embassy for assistance.

Malta?s crime victim assistance agency, Appogg, can be reached by calling its support line (dial 179) or by visiting its website.

The local equivalent to the 911 emergency line in Malta is 112.

Tourism: The tourism industry is unevenly regulated, and safety inspections for equipment and facilities do not occur on a regular basis.  Hazardous areas/activities are not always identified with appropriate signage, and staff may not be trained or certified either by the host government or by recognized authorities in the field.  In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is typically available only in/near major cities.  First responders are generally unable to access areas outside of major cities to provide urgent medical treatment.  U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance.  See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage.

Visit the Embassy of Malta?s website for the most current visa information.

Malta is a party to the Schengen Agreement. This means that U.S. citizens may enter Malta for up to 90 days for tourist or business purposes without a visa. Your passport should be valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure date. You need proof of sufficient funds and a return airline ticket for entry. For additional details about travel into and within Schengen countries, please see our Schengen fact sheet.

The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Malta.

Find information on dual nationality, prevention of international child abduction and customs regulations on our websites.

See the Department of State?s Fact Sheet for additional information on U.S.-Malta relations.

U.S. Embassy Malta

Ta'Qali National Park Street
Attard ATD 4000
Malta
Telephone: +(356) 2561-4000
Email: ConsularMalta@state.gov