Going to à Malte: Formalities and administrative steps

Organize your stay à Malte

Money à Malte

The euro has been the official currency since January¹ , 2008. Until then, the currency used was the Maltese lira.

Budget & Tips à Malte

Until the 2010s, Malta was a very inexpensive destination, but since then prices have been rising, boosted by Valletta's status as Capital of Culture in 2018. This is particularly true in the more touristy areas. Life here is still a little cheaper than in France, and less expensive than in Paris. Of course, for two people, the price per person is more attractive, whether for accommodation in a double room or car rental.

Small budget: simple guesthouse accommodation (around €50 per person with breakfast), quick lunch(pastizzi, less than €5), good evening meal (around €30), public transport (€2 to €3 per journey; €25 weekly pass), other (coffee €1.50). That's less than €100 per day. But you can of course save on meals. There are also discounts on long-term accommodation.

Average budget: night in a hotel (approx. €60 to €130 in a double room), two meals (one light and one full) at €20 and €35, i.e. €100 to €170 per day. You may also need to rent a car (scooter at €15, car at least €25-30).

Big budget: anything is possible. A night in a comfortable hotel (from €150), car rental (from €25 to €40 per day), two meals in a good restaurant (€50-75).

To all these budgets, you can add leisure activities such as diving, cruises and sightseeing.

In restaurants, if service is not included, tipping is at your discretion. Some restaurants add a covercharge, usually €2 to €3 per person. But this is not systematic, and you won't be in for a nasty surprise, as this charge must be indicated on the menu card.

To reduce your budget, consider taking out multi-trip cards, which allow you to travel by bus throughout the country at a very attractive rate (€25 for a week with unlimited travel or €19 for 12 trips, bearing in mind that the basic unit is valid regardless of the length of your trip, two stations or crossing the island). Passes are also available to visit sites managed by Heritage Malta(https://heritagemalta.org). Make sure you have the time and inclination to do everything that's included.

Passport and visas à Malte

French nationals and citizens of European Union member states only need a valid identity card or passport for a tourist stay in Malta. As far as pets are concerned, check with your veterinary surgeon before your departure to find out under what conditions they may accompany you. All passports issued in France are now biometric. They include your photo, fingerprints and a secure chip. To obtain a passport, go to the town hall with a tax stamp, proof of address, proof of identity and two passport photos. The passport is issued in about three weeks. It is valid for ten years. Children must have a personal passport (valid for five years). To find out more about the formalities you need to complete when traveling, or the goods you can bring with you, please refer to the following website: www.douane.gouv.fr.

Driver's license à Malte

If you hold a driving license issued in a European Union country, you are authorized to drive in Malta for one year, without an additional license.

Health à Malte

Malta is an archipelago devoid of dangerous fish or poisonous animals. Tap water is drinkable, but we really don't recommend it (even a few drops) because it's so chlorinated that it's undrinkable. You'll find it on sale everywhere, but you'd better buy it in a supermarket to limit the overall budget. On the other hand, it is not harmful to your health (although we have received reports of mild diarrhoea) and you can brush your teeth with it, or even use it to wash your fruit. Generally speaking, Maltese hygiene is beyond reproach. A few mosquitoes and aggressive flies, but nothing too serious. No vaccinations are required, unless you come from an epidemic zone. Before you leave, consult the "Travel advice" section of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs website (www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/conseils-aux-voyageurs).

Mandatory vaccination à Malte

No vaccinations are required to enter Malta, unless you come from an epidemic zone. Before you leave, please consult your doctor and visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, under "advice to travellers" (www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/voyageurs).

Security à Malte

Malta is an easy place to travel. The only risk you may face on the beaches or in some of Paceville's festive venues is theft. Remember to keep your valuables at your hotel. No particular problem for women traveling alone either.

Time difference à Malte

Maltese time is the same as in France.

Spoken languages à Malte

The Maltese are all bilingual: Maltese and English. Signs are almost everywhere in both languages. Half of them speak Italian. If you don't speak any of these three languages, your journey will be made easier by the friendliness of the Maltese.

Communication à Malte

You'll find Internet access and wifi just about everywhere in hotels, cafés and restaurants. Wifi is often free. You'll also find wifi on the street, in highly touristy areas (Sliema, St Julian's, Paceville, etc.) and in tourist spots such as the Victoria citadel in Gozo, which has also launched a free guided tour app.

Electricity and measurements à Malte

As far as electricity is concerned, the voltage is 240 volts - 50 Hz, which corresponds to the French system. Be careful, the plugs are British type, with three flat or sometimes round pins. Hotels very often provide adapters and are increasingly equipping themselves with plugs of both formats. Adapters are available in many shops if you need them. Nowadays, the metric system is of course widely used, but some still use Anglo-Saxon measurements. To change ounces to grams, multiply by 28.35 and to change pounds to kilograms, multiply by 0.454 (example: 100 g = 3.5 oz). To change inches to centimetres, multiply by 2.54 and to change yards to metres, multiply by 0.914. Finally, one gallon = 4.5 litres.

Luggage à Malte

The temperature is mild in winter, rarely suffocating in summer, although it can reach 40°C in the interior of the island. Bring light clothing for all seasons and sports shoes for walks. Many beaches are stony, so consider bringing sturdy footwear. Don't forget a small headgear to protect you from sunstroke, the inevitable sunglasses and sunscreen without burning. Don't panic if you forget something, you'll have no trouble buying what you need on the spot.

Daily life à Malte

Hello? à Malte

Maltese telephone numbers have 8 digits. The digit 21, which you'll find in all telephone numbers, was added in 2001. If you see 6-digit numbers (still found on old advertisements or signs), simply add the 21 in front.

To call from France to Malta: 00 356 + your correspondent's 8-digit number. To call from Malta to France: 00 33 + your correspondent's number without the initial 0.

To call from a mobile: dial 00 356 + the number starting with 6.

Since June 2017, calls and SMS made from Malta are included in your package.

Accessibility à Malte

Museums and tourist sites are more and more equipped to receive people with reduced mobility. On the other hand, it will be more difficult for them to visit Valletta, which has many steep streets and small staircases. Almost all hotels have specially equipped rooms. As will many of the beaches, which are equipped with access ramps.

Health à Malte

There is no risk of specific diseases in the Maltese archipelago. Mosquitoes are present, but there is no risk other than that of a bite. Maltese water, on the other hand, is undrinkable because it is too chlorinated. You can, however, use it to brush your teeth or clean your fruit. You should also be aware of the intensity of the sun's rays, and protect yourself with a good sun cream. Many hotels have the contact details of a French-speaking doctor.

Emergency numbers à Malte

For emergencies, dial 112, as in the rest of the European Union, accessible 24 hours a day from a landline or cell phone. In the event of a serious problem, contact the French consulate, which provides a list of French-speaking doctors. It is also the consulate that notifies the family and decides on any repatriation.

LGBTQ à Malte

It took a few years for this small, conservative country to get moving, but mores have come a long way, and now these communities are no longer discriminated against. And since July 12, 2017, the opening of marriage to same-sex couples has been adopted almost unanimously by the Maltese parliament.

Embassies and consulates à Malte

The French Embassy in Malta is housed in a superb residence, one of the prettiest in the city (130, Melita Street / +356 2248 0600). It does not offer direct access to the public, as all procedures, including obtaining visas, must be arranged by prior appointment by e-mail ([email protected]) or telephone. For further information, please visit our website (https://mt.ambafrance.org).

Mail à Malte

There is a post office (MaltaPost), albeit sometimes just a counter, or at least a letterbox (red) in every town and village. Valletta's main post office is opposite the Auberge de Castille, and there's another at 25 South Street. You can buy stamps, both normal and collectible, as well as postcards and copies. The offices are generally open Monday to Friday, 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm, and sometimes on Saturday mornings. Stamps cost €1.50 for Europe. Allow about a week for delivery to France.

Local media à Malte

Print media. These daily and weekly newspapers are published in Maltese and English. In keeping with English tradition, the Sunday edition is very voluminous.

The Times of Malta (https://timesofmalta.com). Founded in 1935, this is Malta's oldest and largest-circulation daily. It is considered the daily of reference.

The Malta Independent (www.independent.com.mt). Created in 1993 to compete with the Times of Malta, this daily defends a conservative liberal line.

Malta Today (www.maltatoday.com.mt). When it was founded in 1999, it was published on Fridays, but since 2001 it has been published on Sundays. Since 2010, its Internet portal has been particularly popular for local news.

International press. Many French, European, Arab, American and Chinese magazines and newspapers are available on the archipelago, one day after their publication date. They arrive in Malta in the evening and in Gozo the following morning.

Television. TVM (www.tvm.com.mt/en). Created in 1962, this is Malta's first public television channel. With news, entertainment, debates, children's programs and more. Most programs are broadcast in Maltese, except for the Euronews daily bulletin, which is in English. Two other television stations are run by Malta's two main political parties: Net television (https://netnews.com.mt), set up in 1998 by the Nationalist Party, and One television (www.one.com.mt), which has been run by the Labour Party since 1994. In addition, since 2015, Parliament TV has been broadcasting live parliamentary debates, while Smash TV or Smash TV1 is a small channel created in 1988 to relay different opinions on Maltese politics.

On the cultural front, TVM2, part of TVM, broadcasts mainly educational and cultural programs

In Malta, the foreign channels most broadcast via cable by hotels are Italian. On the French side, you'll mainly receive France 24, but some hotels offer a much wider range, including virtually all the French TNT channels.

Radio. There are a dozen radio stations broadcasting in Malta and Gozo. These include commercial radio stations, those owned by political parties or the Church, as well as a public radio station: Radju Malta. Most broadcast in Maltese and English.

Internet. Visit Malta (www.visitmalta.com) is the official website of the Malta Tourism Authority. A must-visit before you leave. As is Heritage Malta (https://heritagemalta.mt), the official website of Malta's national agency for museums, cultural heritage and building conservation.