Last updated: 22 Oct 2025
Malta
About
| The Maltese archipelago, situated at the centre of the Mediterranean, includes the island of Malta. Visitors come for the beautiful clear blue waters, secluded bays and sandy beaches, and also to glimpse the tranquil traditional villages that still speckle the landscape, celebrating lively fiestas. On Malta island, see performances of opera, theatre, music and ballet (between October and May) at Valletta's Manoel Theatre, the second-oldest theatre in Europe. Fit in some windsurfing, which has become very popular in Mellieha Bay, St Pauls Bay or Bahar Ic-Caghaq. Attend a summer festival with fireworks andhorseracing in the streets of Gozo. Marvel at the Blue Grotto where, legend has it, sirens bewitched seafarers with their songs. Four caves reflect the brilliant colours of the corals and minerals in the limestone. The most spectacular is the Blue Grotto itself, best views in the early morning when the sea is calm. |
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| Official Name: | Republic of Malta |
| Local Name: | Repubblika ta' Malta |
| Capital: | Valletta (MLA) |
| Currency: | Euro (EUR) |
| Language: | Maltese and English. Italian is widely spoken. |
| Dialling code from SA: | + 356 |
| Time Zones: | UTC / GMT +1 (1 hour behind South Africa) |
| Daylight Savings Time: | From last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October: UTC / GMT +2 (same time as South Africa) |
| Side of the Road: | Left |
| Best Time to Go: | Year-Round. Peak summer months: July – September. April – June and October are shoulder seasons. |
| Best for: | Prehistoric Sites, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Pristine Beaches |
| Plugs: | 240 volts AC, 50Hz. UK-style three-pin plugs are in use |
| Drinking Water: | Mains water in hotels and towns is safe to drink. |
| Health: | There are adequate and well-equipped medical facilities, however visitors are required to pay for these services. Comprehensive health insurance is recommended. If you require any medication on your travels it is best to bring it with you, in the original packaging, with a signed and dated letter from your doctor detailing exactly what it is and why you need it. |
| Customs: | Normal social courtesies. Beachwear should be reserved for the beach. Conservative clothing should be worn when visiting churches. |
| Local Offences / Laws: | Smoking is prohibited in public areas. |
| Travel Tips / Warnings: | Local driving can be challenging for foreigners. |
| Duty Free: | If you are travelling from within the EU, there is no limit on the amount or value of goods you may import into Malta, providing your goods are for personal consumption. Goods imported for commercial purposes are subject to duty and the following guideline amounts are in place to determine whether this is the case: • 800 cigarettes or 400 cigarillos or 200 cigars or 1kg of tobacco. • 10L of spirits over 22%, 20L of alcoholic beverages less than 22%, 90L of wine (no more than 60L of sparkling wine) and 110L of beer. If you are arriving from a non-EU country, the following goods may be imported into Malta by persons over 17 years of age without incurring customs duty: • 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco. • 4L of wine and 16L of beer and 1L of spirits over 22% or 2L of alcoholic beverages less than 22%. • Other goods up to the value of €430. |
| Prohibited Imports: | Firearms and ammunition, counterfeit goods, unlicensed drugs, obscene literature and other media, animals and birds (dead or alive), plants, and dairy and meat products from outside the EU. |
Issuing Authorities
Public Holidays 2026: Jan 1; Feb 10; Mar 19, 31; May 1; Jun 7, 29; Aug 15; Sep 8, 21; Dec 8, 13, 25
Visa Requirements
Visas are required by South African passport holders.
The Italian consulate handles visas for Malta - please apply in the same way. Refer to Italy Visa guide.
SA Representative
Representation accredited from Rome, Italy
Travel Health
| Compulsory: | Yellow Fever (Dependant on Country of Origin/Stopover) |
| Recommended Travel Vaccines: | Hepatitis A & B, Tetanus, Polio |
