Travel Consideration: Malta

Malta is a small, developed, democratic Mediterranean island nation, positioned as a cultural and political stepping-stone between Europe and North Africa. Tourist facilities of all categories are widely available.

Passport required. A visa is not required for U.S. citizens for stays of up to 90 days. For more information concerning entry requirements for Malta, travelers should contact the Embassy of Malta at 2017 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008, tel: (202) 462-3611, or the Maltese Consulate in New York City, tel: (212) 725-2345.

Malta has a low rate of violent crime. Incidents of pickpocketing and purse-snatching are relatively rare; however, break-ins and thefts from parked vehicles and thefts of cars are on the increase. Caution is urged in the Paceville nightclubs area, as excessive drinking and poor crowd control combine to create conditions that may aggravate a minor incident into a brawl. The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. U.S. citizens may refer to the Department of State's pamphlet A Safe Trip Abroad for ways to promote a more trouble-free journey. The pamphlet is available by mail from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, via the Internet at http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs, or via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page at http://travel.state.gov.

While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions which differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning Malta is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.

Safety of Public Transportation: Good
Urban Road Conditions/Maintenance: Fair
Rural Road Conditions/Maintenance: Poor
Availability of Roadside Assistance: Good

Traffic flows on the left. This takes some adjustment for visitors from right-hand drive countries such as the United States. Additionally, visitors should exercise extreme caution, as drivers may be erratic. Roads flood easily, and they are often narrow, winding, and congested, with poor visibility around curves. Traffic arteries are prone to bottlenecks and serious accidents, often due to drivers' inexperience in merging or due to excessive speed. Buses are the primary means of public transportation, but they are rather old and uncomfortable and are not equipped for the heat of summer. Taxis are safe but expensive.


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. ATA Carnet Headquarters, located at the U.S. Council for International Business, 1212 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036, issues and guarantees the ATA Carnet in the United States. For additional information call (212) 354-4480, send an e-mail to atacarnet@uscib.org, or visit http://www.uscib.org for details.

Americans living in or visiting Malta are encouraged to register at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Malta and obtain updated information on travel and security within Malta. The U.S. Embassy is located on the third floor of Development House, St. Anne Street, Floriana, Valletta. The Consular Section's telephone number is (356) 235-960, fax: (356) 243-229, and the Embassy e-mail address is U.S.Embassy@kemmunet.net.mt.

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government of Malta’s Civil Aviation Authority as Category 1 - in compliance with international aviation safety standards for oversight of Malta’s air carrier operations. For further information, travelers may contact the Department of Transportation within the U.S. at 1-800-322-7873, or visit the FAA’s Internet web site at http://www.faa.gov/avr/iasa/iasa.pdf. The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) separately assesses some foreign air carriers for suitability as official providers of air services. For information regarding the DOD policy on specific carriers, travelers may contact DOD at (618) 229-4801.