Tourist tax in Malta A complete guide
Malta captivates travelers with its ancient treasures and stunning blue shores.Its tourist tax aids sustainable tourism. Trippz simplifies compliance by automating tax collection, remittance, and reporting via a digital platform. The tool eliminates manual tasks, reduces errors, and ensures transparency, empowering hosts and tourist to focus on delivering unforgettable experiences.
Is there a tourist tax in Malta?
Malta has implemented a tourist tax known as the Environmental Contribution, which applies to all visitors staying in any type of accommodation across the Maltese Islands. This tax was introduced on June 1, 2016, with the primary goal of generating revenue to improve and embellish local infrastructure in tourist areas.
For tourists
Why is there a tourist tax in Malta?
Malta’s tourist tax (Environmental Contribution) exists to sustainably enhance tourism infrastructure, funding upgrades in popular areas. Introduced in 2016, it ensures visitors enjoy improved facilities while supporting local communities, balancing tourism growth with environmental and cultural preservation.
Rate of the tourist tax in Malta
You are subject to Malta's Environmental Contribution if you stay overnight for a fee in any accommodation across the Maltese Islands, regardless of your nationality or residence. All tourists must pay this tax per person per night, including Maltese locals staying in commercial accommodation.
| Age of guest | Tourist tax rate (per person per night) | Maximum amount of tax to be paid (per person) |
|---|---|---|
| Under 18 | €0.00 | - |
| Over 18 | €0.50 | €5.00 |
Frequently asked questions from tourists
-
Do I have to pay a tourist tax when staying in Malta?
Yes, all visitors aged 18 and older staying in paid accommodations must pay Malta's Environmental Contribution. This applies to all types of accommodation across the Maltese Islands, including hotels, guesthouses, apartments, and host families. The tax supports tourism infrastructure improvements.
-
How much is the tourist tax in Malta?
The Environmental Contribution is €0.50 per person, per night for guests aged 18 and older. The tax is capped at a maximum of €5 per person per continuous stay, meaning after 10 nights, no additional tax is charged. This cap also applies to twin-center stays between Malta and Gozo.
-
Do children have to pay the tourist tax in Malta?
No, children under 18 years old are completely exempt from paying the Environmental Contribution. Only guests who are 18 or older must pay the tax.
-
Is the tourist tax included in the price of my accommodation?
No, the Environmental Contribution must be charged separately from the room rate and itemized clearly on invoices. Accommodation providers are required by law to show it as a separate charge that is VAT-exempt and free of commissions.
-
What is the tourist tax used for in Malta?
The Environmental Contribution revenue is directed exclusively toward upgrading and enhancing local infrastructure in tourist areas around the Maltese Islands. The main objective is to improve quality along the tourism value chain and ensure Malta remains an attractive and sustainable destination.
For hosts
Guest registration in Malta
All tourism accommodations in Malta are required to maintain a guest register. This requirement is established under the Travel and Tourism Services Act (Chapter 409) and the Tourism Accommodation Establishments Regulations (Legal Notice 351 of 2012).
Guest registration details in Malta
In the guest register, the following details must be recorded:
- Full name
- Year of birth
- Nationality (from passport/ID)
- Address and contact details (phone/email)
- Date of arrival and departure
All guests (regardless of age) must provide a valid passport or ID during check-in. Accommodation providers are legally required to collect and retain this information under Malta’s Tourism Accommodation Establishments Regulations (Legal Notice 351 of 2012) .
Submission of the guest registration to the police in Malta
Licensed accommodation in Malta isn’t required to submit guest registers routinely. Instead, providers must retain guest registration books under Legal Notice 351 of 2012 and produce them for on-site inspection or hand them over to the Malta Police Force when formally requested under Article 40 of the Travel and Tourism Services Act (Chapter 409).
Guest Registration Data Storage in Malta
In Malta, accommodation hosts must store guest registration data in compliance with the Tourism Accommodation Establishments Regulations (Legal Notice 351 of 2012) and GDPR. Data should be retained only as long as necessary for regulatory audits and then securely deleted. Hosts are required to implement technical and organizational safeguards—such as encryption, access controls, and regular security testing—to protect data confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Records may be kept electronically in secure property management systems or physically in locked files, accessible only to authorized staff.
Handling of tourist tax
-
Remittance of tourist tax
Accommodation providers in Malta remit the Environmental Contribution quarterly via the VAT Department’s online portal, using Internet Banking or the Government Payment Gateway. Payments must be filed with returns by the 15th of the following month.
-
Storing your administration for tourist tax
Accommodation providers must retain records (guest names, ages, nights stayed, tax collected) for 5 years. Data must comply with Malta’s Data Protection Act and GDPR, ensuring accurate reporting for audits by the VAT Department or Malta Tourism Authority.
-
Tourist tax when renting through an online booking platform
When renting through platforms like Airbnb or Booking.com, accommodation providers are still responsible for collecting the tourist tax. The tax must be collected from guests upon arrival or via the platform if supported. It's the provider’s duty to ensure compliance and to remit the tax to the government periodically.
Don’t want to worry about remitting the correct amount of tourist tax? That’s possible, with the use of Trippz!
-
Short-term rental registration requirements
Owners must obtain a Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) license, renewable annually, to legally rent properties short-term . As of 2025, landlords must register properties in the Land Registry for a Unique Registry Number, mandatory for listings . Leases must be registered with the Housing Authority within 10 days, detailing terms and tenant/landlord info . New regulations may require neighbor consent for apartment rentals, impacting most licensed holiday homes . Non-compliance risks penalties or license revocation .
Frequently asked questions from hosts
-
Do I need to register my short-term rental property in Malta?
Yes, all short-term rentals (e.g., apartments, villas) must be licensed by the Malta Tourism Authority (MTA). As of 2025, properties must also be registered in the Land Registry for a Unique Registry Number, mandatory for listings .
-
What information must I collect from guests?
In Malta, hosts are required to collect and record guests’ full name, nationality, year of birth, contact details (address, phone number, and email), and arrival/departure dates. Guests must also present a valid passport or government-issued ID during check-in to verify their identity, as per Malta’s Tourism Accommodation Establishments Regulations.
-
Are there differences for Maltese vs. foreign guests?
No. All guests, including Maltese locals staying in commercial accommodations, must provide identification. Registration requirements apply equally regardless of nationality.
-
How long do I need to store the guest registration records?
Records must be retained for 5 years under the Tourism Accommodation Establishments Regulations (Legal Notice 351 of 2012). Data must comply with Malta’s Data Protection Act and GDPR.
-
What are the penalties for non-compliance?
Fines range from €2,500 to €10,000 for unregistered leases or improper guest records. Severe cases may result in license revocation.
How Trippz helps hosts
Organize your administration simply
Classifying your accommodation, keeping a guest registry, collecting and remitting the correct amount of tourist tax; besides taking good care of your guests' travel, there is a lot of administrative work involved in renting out your accommodation. Work that you may not have even thought of initially when you started, and that you probably want to spend as little time on as possible. Therefore, you want to organize your administration as simply as possible.
And fortunately you can, with Trippz!
All in one overview
Trippz is here to make your life as easy as possible, while complying with all regulations. Through our (web)app you automate your guest registration, and you can even prepare your administration for the tourist tax. You don't have to worry about collecting the tourist tax either. Because we keep track of all local regulations, we know exactly what rate your guests have to pay. On arrival day, your guests will automatically receive a message from us to pay their tourist tax. At the end of their stay, the money will be automatically deposited into your account. All you have to do is periodically transfer the total amount to the municipality. Simple!
Automatically sync all Airbnb bookings
If you rent out your property through Airbnb, Trippz makes things even easier. Once you connect your Airbnb account, all your bookings are automatically imported into your Trippz dashboard. Every reservation is synced smoothly, including arrival and departure dates and main guest information.
This keeps your guest registration and tourist tax collection accurate and complete. It also saves you time, especially when handling multiple bookings or back-to-back stays.
Guests who book your place receive a friendly message from Trippz to complete their registration and pay the correct amount of tourist tax. Since Trippz keeps track of local rules, you do not need to worry about incorrect rates.
Frequently asked questions about Trippz
-
How does Trippz help me as a host?
Trippz makes it easy to comply with local guest registration and tourist tax rules. Our tool automatically collects the necessary guest information and calculates the right tourist tax, based on the local regulations. You no longer have to worry about manually updating spreadsheets, logging into government portals, or missing deadlines. Trippz takes care of the compliance work in the background, so you can focus on offering a great guest experience.
-
Is it difficult to start using Trippz?
Not at all! Trippz is designed to be user-friendly. It is developed as a web application, so you do not need to download an app. You can start right away!
-
What does the use of Trippz cost?
At the moment, it is free of charge! Have a look at our page for Hosts, to see the current pricing.
-
Can I use Trippz if I only rent occasionally?
Yes, absolutely. Trippz is built to support all types of hosts, from someone who rents out their home a few weekends per year, to professional property managers. Whether you're small-scale or manage multiple listings, Trippz adjusts to your needs and helps you stay compliant with minimal effor
-
Can I import all my bookings from Airbnb?
Yes, you can! We have worked on an integration with airbnb, through which you can automatically import all your bookings. Thereby, the messages about guest registration will also be send automatically through our platform.
-
Can I import all my bookings from my own booking system?
After the integration with Airbnb, we are now working on all other sorts of integrations. Integrating your own platform is not yet available, but will be in the future!
-
How does guest registration work for my guests?
Once a booking is confirmed, Trippz sends a registration link to your guest via email or platform message. The guest fills in a simple form, and you’re notified once it’s completed. You can review the details before they are submitted to local authorities. This ensures all data is accurate, and no extra logins or uploads are needed on your side.
-
Does Trippz collect the tourist tax for me?
Yes. Trippz now collects the tourist tax directly as part of the check-in process. Once your guest has completed their registration, the correct tax amount is calculated and securely collected. You don’t need to handle any payments yourself. Periodically, you’ll receive a payout with an overview of the amounts collected and remitted, keeping everything clear and compliant.
-
What if a guest doesn’t want to register digitally?
This is an unfortunate situation, that does happen from time to time. If a guest does not want to enter digitally, you can manually enter their details into Trippz afterwards.
-
What if my municipality changes the tourist tax rates?
At Trippz, we actively follow all tax rates in areas that we cover. When a new tax rate is implemented, we will update the rates accordingly. Still missing something? Please reach out to us!
-
What happens if my municipality collaborates with another one?
No problem. As said, we actively follow all municipalities and their rules. We will automatically update this for you. If you want to be sure, you can always message us in advance, so we are even more on top of things!
-
How does it work if another organization manages the tax in my municipality?
With Trippz, you can export all the information you need. You can easily copy the needed information towards the file the tax organization requires from you.
municipality
