Where is the Head Office of the Malta Tourism Authority?.
The MTA's main offices are located at :
Malta Tourism Authority
Building SCM 01, Suites 301-306
SmartCity Malta
Ricasoli SCM 1001
Kalkara - MALTA
What are your office hours?
We are open on weekdays (except on public holidays) as follows:
October - June:
Monday to Friday : 08.00 - 17.00
July and September:
Mondays and Wednesdays : 08.00 - 17.00
Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays : 08.00 - 14.00
August:
Monday to Friday : 08.00 - 14.00
Licensing and Cash Office are open to the public as indicated here.
Where are the main Tourist Information Offices? When are they open?
The Malta Tourism Authority operates a number of tourist information offices (TIOs) across the Maltese Islands. For details, including phone numbers and opening hours, go to the Tourist Information Offices page on this website.
Where can I obtain information about VISA applications?
For information about VISA applications please visit the website of the Maltese Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
What do I need to import pets into Malta?
Any pets imported into Malta must have an import permit issued by the Director of Veterinary Service prior to import. It is generally advisable to apply 6 weeks prior to import to allow for vaccination and other requirements prior to import.
All pets must have a certificate issued by the government veterinary service, declaring that the country of origin has been free of rabies for six months before the departure of the pet. The certificate must also declare that the country of origin has an official policy for the strict control of animal importation. Furthermore, if a pet originates from a non-free rabies country, it has to be certified that it originates from an area free of rabies.
The animal must also have a veterinary health certificate issued by a recognised veterinarian, just before travelling to Malta, stating that it is healthy and shows no evidence of clinical disease or parasitic infection, and that it has been vaccinated against rabies by an inactivated vaccine not less than 30 days and no more than six months before export. The animal has to be consigned to Malta directly from the country of origin either by air or ship securely crated as freight so that it appears on the cargo manifest.
The Ministry for Food, Agriculture and Fisheries' Veterinary Service (Tel: 356 2123 9968, 356 2122 5930) in Malta must be notified of the exact date of the animal's arrival at least one week before and also whether the animal will be accompanied or not.
The importation of animals is only allowed during office hours - 7.30 am to 5.00 pm. Animals will not be accepted on Saturdays, Sundays or public holidays.
Pets imported from the United Kingdom are quarantined at the Small Animal Quarantine Section at Luqa for three weeks, from other countries the quarantine period can be up to six months. An import licence, from the Department of Trade, and an entry form (Number 2) from the Customs Department must be completed before the release of the cat or dog from quarantine.
For more information, please contact:
Director of Veterinary Service
Albertown
Marsa
Tel: ( 356) 2122 5638, ( 356) 2122 5930
Email: info@veterinary.gov.mt
More information from the Food and Veterinary Regulation Division Website
What are the typical opening hours for shops in Malta?
Commercial centres and shops are normally open between 9.00 a.m. and 1.00 p.m. and between 4.00 p.m. and 7 p.m. In tourist areas, many shops remain open till 10.00 p.m.
Shops are normally closed on Sundays and Public Holidays.
What is the time difference in Malta?
Malta is in the Central European Time Zone and uses Central European Standard Time (CET) which is 1 hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT 1).
Like all European states Malta reverts to Summer (Daylight-Saving) Time and local time is shifted forward by 1 hour. As a result, during Summer Time, Malta is 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT 2). At the end of the Summer months time in Malta is shifted back by 1 hour to Central European Time (CET) or (GMT 1).
What are the tipping customs in Malta?
Tipping is customary in Malta and a gratuity of between 5% and 10%, whenever good service has been provided is reasonable. However if a service charge has already been included in the bill, a tip is not necessary. If discretion and common sense is used, you will have no problems with tipping, but it is always worth checking the individual establishment's policy if you are unsure.
What is the situation regarding smoking in Malta? Where is smoking not permitted?
The Tobacco Control Act and Legal Notice 414 of 2004 (Smoking in Premises Open to the Public Regulations, 2004) stipulates that smoking is banned in any enclosed private or public premises which are open to the public except in designated smoking room. This means that smoking is not allowed indoors in public places, including bars and pubs, cafés and restaurants, public transport, cinemas, theatres, hospitals, and schools except in designated smoking room. However, many establishments offer an outside seating option for smokers, with some of these being equipped with heaters for the cooler months.
Smoking is also prohibited in the common areas in hotels. Some hotels may have a smokers' lounge but this is not obligatory and is at the discretion of the hotel's management. Although it is not illegal to smoke in a hotel bedroom, a hotel may have its own policies in this regard and may designate certain rooms specifically for smokers or assign rooms with balconies where one could smoke. It is advisable to check with your hotel about its smoking policy before you book.