Malta

SAFETY: good
Security conditions in Malta are currently good and no particular risks have been identified.
In the areas of Malta most popular with tourists – Sliema, Paceville and St. Julian's – and on the bus routes linking Valletta and Sliema, we advise you to be careful and to keep your personal belongings and copies of your documents safe.

TRANSPORT SYSTEM: good
The country has numerous bus routes linking the various towns on the island, and in particular the capital, Valletta; tickets can be bought on board. Domestic sea connections are also available.
Gozo Channel ferries link Malta and Gozo in both directions, with a service that runs all year round. The crossing takes about 30 minutes.

Main airports: Valletta and Luqa
Ports: Valletta, Marsaxlokk (free port), Mgarr (Gozo). There are also numerous marinas.

ACCOMMODATION: excellent
Malta offers a wide choice of accommodation of every kind, category and price. The international hotel classification (one to five stars) applies, and there are also farm stays, B&Bs, guesthouses, hostels, campsites and wellness or spa centres. The choice of restaurants is less varied.

COUNTRY FACTS: Full name: Republic of Malta. – Location: Malta is an archipelago in the centre of the Mediterranean, made up of three main islands, Malta (Malta), Gozo (Ghawdex) and Comino (Kemmuna), plus a few uninhabited islets. It is an island state in southern Europe and the smallest member state of the European Union. Borders: lies in the Malta Channel, 80 km from Sicily, 284 km from Tunisia and 333 km from Libya, within the Italian geographical region.
Time zone GMT+1 – Area: 316 sq km – Capital: Valletta – Population: approximately 420,000 – Religion: 95% Catholic, with a small, recently settled Muslim minority – Languages: Maltese (national language), English (co-official language). Italian is fairly widely spoken. – Measures: metric system.

CURRENCY: Euro (adopted on 1 January 2008). Exchange controls have been abolished, but anyone travelling to or from a non-EU destination carrying cash worth EUR 10,000 or more must complete a special declaration form available at customs -  Credit cards: the major cards are accepted.

ELECTRICITY: 230 V (+/- 10%) and 50 Hz – Sockets: British-style three-pin plugs are used; visitors from Italy will need an adaptor, which can be bought locally in many shops.

DOCUMENTS you must travel with a valid, unexpired travel document (passport or identity card). The country is a member of the European Union and part of the Schengen area; land, sea and airport border checks have therefore been abolished, but you must still travel with one of the valid travel documents indicated. As the required remaining validity of passports may change, we advise checking in advance with the Maltese Embassy or Consulate in Italy, or with your travel agent. – Driving: drive on the left, overtake on the right. Car: the green card is no longer required: Italian insurance policies are also recognised in Malta. Third-party liability insurance is compulsory for all motor vehicles and for motor boats (including outboards) carried on trailers.

COMMUNICATIONS AND TELEPHONES: Int. dialling code: 00356– Operators: “GO” is the main fixed-line and mobile operator. Other mobile operators are Vodafone and Melita. VoIP and international phone cards are widely used. There are several internet providers and many internet cafés across the country. Public telephones taking phone cards can be found on Malta and Gozo; coin-operated ones are rarer. Malta's mobile operators allow GSM and UMTS handsets to receive calls throughout the territory; it is nevertheless advisable to contact your own operator for information on coverage in Malta. – Web domain: .mt – Emergency numbers: single number for police, fire brigade and ambulance: 112.

RULES, LAWS AND CONDUCT:
Legislation on drug use and/or dealing: importing or possessing (even minimal quantities for personal use) and dealing in soft or hard drugs are criminal offences, usually tried under fast-track proceedings.
Legislation on sexual abuse or violence against minors: sentences can be very severe and, in addition to imprisonment, usually include deportation and a ban on re-entering Malta.
Please remember that anyone who commits offences against minors abroad (sexual abuse, exploitation, prostitution) will be prosecuted on their return to Italy under the laws in force in our country.
Should you have any problems with the local police (detention or arrest), we advise informing the Italian Embassy in Valletta for the necessary assistance.

HEALTH SITUATION: the health situation is good, as is routine medical care; medicines are readily available (in some cases only “generic” versions are stocked).

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS: 1 January, New Year's Day; 10 February: Feast of St Paul's Shipwreck; 19 March: Feast of St Joseph; 31 March: Freedom Day; Holy Week and Easter; 7 June: Sette Giugno; 29 June: L-Imnarja; 15 August: Feast of the Assumption; 8 September: Feast of Our Lady of Victories; 21 September: Independence Day; 13 December: Republic Day; 25 December: Christmas Day.

OPENING HOURS: Post offices: Mon-Sat 7:30-13:00, some until 16:00 – Banks: Mon-Thu 8:30-14:00 and Friday from 8:30 to 15:30. Saturday from 8:30 to 12:00, – Shops: Mon-Sat 9:00-20:00. – Closing day: Sunday.

CLIMATE: Malta's climate is typically Mediterranean, with mild, rainy winters and hot, sunny summers.

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USEFUL ADDRESSES
Italian Embassy in VALLETTA
5, Vilhena Street
Floriana VLT 1040 - Malta
Tel.: 00356 / 21233157/8/9 - 22489800
Fax: 00356 / 21236417
e-mail: ambasciata.lavalletta@esteri.it
website: amblavalletta.esteri.it