Local Laws

CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While you are traveling in Malta, you are subject to its laws. Persons violating Maltese laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is also a crime prosecutable in Malta as well as in the United States. Counterfeit and pirated goods are illegal in the United States and if you purchase them in a foreign country, you may be breaking local law as well.

Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Malta are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. Judicial proceedings in Malta 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. If you break local laws in Malta, your U.S. passport will not help you avoid arrest or prosecution.

Arrest notifications in host country: While some countries will automatically notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate if a U.S. citizen is detained or arrested in that country, others may not. To ensure that the United States is aware of your circumstances, request that the police and prison officials notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate as soon as you are arrested or detained overseas.

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.

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: 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 Embassy of Malta in Washington, D.C. or the Consulate of Malta in New York City 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.

WOMEN TRAVELER INFORMATION: If you are a woman traveling abroad, please review our travel tips on the Women Travelers page on Travel.State.gov.

LGBT RIGHTS: There are no known safety and security issues of concern for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals in Malta. For more detailed information about LGBT rights in Malta you may review the State Department’s Country Reports on Human Rights Practices . For further information on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) travel, please read our LGBT Travel Information page.

ACCESSIBILITY: While in Malta, individuals with disabilities may find accessibility and accommodation very different from what you find in the United States. The law prohibits both the public and private sectors from discriminating against persons with disabilities in employment, education, health care, access to goods and services, housing, and insurance, and the government effectively enforced these provisions. However, very few public or private spaces in Malta are wheelchair accessible. Many apartments lack elevators. Public transportation and most sidewalks or footpaths, including road crossings, are not accessible for those with mobility challenges. Taxis are readily available, but the cost is substantially higher than public buses.