Malta

Recommended Vaccinations For Malta

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B Vaccine

The hepatitis B vaccine is recommended

Hepatitis A Vaccine

The hepatitis A vaccine is recommended.

For Some Travellers

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

A dose of Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended for infants aged 6 to 11 months.

Yellow Fever Vaccine

There is no risk of yellow fever in this country, however, a certificate of yellow fever vaccination is required from travellers 9 months of age and older arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and for travellers having transited for more than 12 hours through an airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. If indicated on epidemiological grounds, infants under 9 months of age are subject to isolation or surveillance if coming from an area with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Rabies Vaccine

Travellers involved in outdoor and other activities that might bring them into direct contact with bats (such as adventure travellers and cavers), as well as travellers with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wild life professionals and researchers), should consider the rabies vaccination.

Recommended Medications For Malta

There are no recommendations for Malta at this time.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Malta

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis A

There is a risk of exposure to hepatitis A in Malta.

Hepatitis B

There is a risk of exposure to hepatitis B in Malta.

For Some Travellers

Leishmaniasis

There is a risk of acquiring Leishmaniasis in this country through sand fly bites, particularly between dusk to dawn. Adventure tourists, outdoor athletes, or humanitarian aid workers are at a higher risk.

Measles

A dose of Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended for infants aged 6 to 11 months.

Tuberculosis

Travellers to this country are at risk for tuberculosis if visiting sick friends or family, working in the healthcare field, or having close prolonged contact with an infected person.

Hanta Virus

There is a risk of acquiring Hantavirus in this country through the consumption of food and water contaminated by an infected rodent or through rodent bites.

Yellow Fever

There is no risk of yellow fever in this country, however, a certificate of yellow fever vaccination is required from travellers 9 months of age and older arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and for travellers having transited for more than 12 hours through an airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. If indicated on epidemiological grounds, infants under 9 months of age are subject to isolation or surveillance if coming from an area with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Rabies

**Rabies has not been reported in Malta and is considered a low risk for travellers, However, it may occur in bats.**

Safety & Security in Malta

Personal Safety

Malta is considered one of Europe’s safer destinations for visitors, with overall crime remaining relatively low. Crime against tourists is rare, but there have been incidents of robbery, handbag snatching, pickpocketing and theft from parked cars. Pickpocketing and petty theft occur primarily in crowded tourist areas including Valletta, Sliema, and public buses, especially routes 13, 14, 15, and 16 connecting major tourist spots. Thefts increase during summer months when tourism peaks. Drink spiking and assaults have been reported in bars and clubs in the Paceville nightlife district, where criminals have drugged visitors and forced them to spend money or assaulted them. Visitors are advised to keep drinks in sight and check bills carefully. Assaults including rape and sexual assault have occurred in nightlife areas. Although Malta’s terrorism threat is not flagged as high, visitors should always remain vigilant. Scams targeting tourists — from over-priced services to romance schemes — are reported to be rising. Standard precautions remain wise: secure valuables, avoid walking alone late at night in unfamiliar areas, and stay alert in busy public spaces.

Extreme Violence

Malta is among the safer countries in Europe, with a very low rate of violent crime. Pickpocketing and theft remain the most common offences in tourist areas, and the late-night entertainment district of Paceville carries elevated risk of drink-spiking, assault or theft. Incidents of violence in nightlife settings have been reported in this area. While tourist-targeted violent crime is rare, visitors should remain vigilant — especially when out late at night, drinking heavily or in unfamiliar areas. Malta’s crime environment is benign for visitors, but standard precautions apply: keep valuables secured, monitor drink intake, stay in well-lit areas after dark and use licensed transport.

Political Unrest

Political demonstrations in Malta are infrequent but have occurred around major governance issues. Malta experienced significant political protests in 2019-2020 following the arrest of businessman Yorgen Fenech in connection with the assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. These protests led to the resignation of Prime Minister Joseph Muscat in January 2020. Demonstrations commonly gather in Valletta, particularly near parliament and government buildings. While protests in Malta are generally peaceful, they can lead to traffic disruptions and public transportation delays. The country is politically stable with a functioning democracy, though concerns about corruption at high political levels persist. Visitors should avoid protest areas and follow local news for updates, as even peaceful gatherings can temporarily disrupt movement in central Valletta.

Areas To Avoid

Malta is generally a safe destination, but visitors should use heightened caution in specific nightlife and tourist zones. Paceville, the nightlife district in St. Julian’s, is clearly identified in travel advisories as a hotspot for drink-spiking, theft, and assaults, especially during late-night hours and weekends. Pick-pocketing and theft are also frequent in the Valletta and Sliema areas and on crowded public transport or at major tourist sites. Although violence against tourists remains rare, visitors should remain alert: stay in groups when venturing into nightlife zones, keep valuables secure, avoid leaving belongings unattended on beaches, and maintain awareness of surroundings after dark.