Customs and daily life

Daily life

• Languages: Maltese (a Semitic language written in the Latin alphabet, with many English and Italian words) and English. Many Maltese people also speak Italian. Maltese is the language of the courts, politics and many media; a few words are appreciated: bonġu (hello), grazzi (thank you).
• Driving: on the left. Speed generally limited to 50 km/h in built-up areas and 80 km/h on open roads; local limits are shown by signs (the tourist board speaks of 30 to 50 km/h in built-up areas and 60 to 80 km/h on roads). Seat belts compulsory, low permitted alcohol level, phone use at the wheel heavily penalised. GPS devices sometimes suggest narrow, barely passable roads, especially in Gozo.
• Transport Malta public car parks: free; a tip to the attendant is possible but not compulsory.
• Electricity: 230 V, 50 Hz, British type G sockets with a switch on the socket: remember to turn it on.
• Tap water: the tourist board recommends drinking bottled, filtered or reverse-osmosis-treated water.
• Shops: traditionally from 9:00 to 13:00 then from 16:00 to 19:00, Monday to Saturday; in tourist areas, often non-stop from 9:00 to 19:00 or later. Many supermarkets open all day, including Sundays.
• Bars and going out: bars often open from noon to midnight, nightclubs from about 21:00 to 4:00. Legal drinking age: 17.
• Tobacco: prohibited indoors in public places (bars, restaurants, transport, schools, hospitals), except designated smoking rooms.
• Tipping: common in restaurants, 5 to 10% if you are satisfied, unless service is already included.
• Climate: about 23 °C average by day over the year; in August, often 28 to 34 °C. Summer is hot and humid: well-ventilated or air-conditioned housing changes your life, so check ventilation and air conditioning before signing a lease.
• Religion: the Constitution makes Catholicism the State religion (art. 2) and guarantees freedom of conscience and worship (art. 40). In state schools, an ethics course can replace the religion course.
• Village feasts: each parish celebrates its patron saint with processions, brass bands and fireworks, especially in summer; dates change by parish: ask the parish or the local council (Kunsill Lokali) of your locality.
• Gozo: the sister island, more rural and greener, is connected by ferry: about 25 minutes from Ċirkewwa, in the north of Malta, or 45 minutes from Valletta.

Public holidays 2026

Malta has 14 public holidays, including 5 national holidays (marked with an asterisk). This is the list set by the public holidays law (National Holidays and Other Public Holidays Act, chap. 252: 5 national holidays plus 9 public holidays listed in the schedule; Sundays are also holidays):

1. 1 January, New Year's Day.
2. 10 February, Shipwreck of St Paul.
3. 19 March, St Joseph.
4. 31 March, Freedom Day*.
5. 3 April 2026, Good Friday (variable date).
6. 1 May, Labour Day.
7. 7 June, Sette Giugno (7 June national holiday)*.
8. 29 June, St Peter and St Paul (L-Imnarja).
9. 15 August, Assumption (Santa Marija).
10. 8 September, Our Lady of Victories*.
11. 21 September, Independence Day*.
12. 8 December, Immaculate Conception.
13. 13 December, Republic Day*.
14. 25 December, Christmas.

Many shops stay open on these days, sometimes with reduced hours; buses may run less often.

Common pitfalls

• Forgetting to drive on the left when leaving a roundabout or a car park, especially in the first days.
• Believing that English is enough at school. In state schools, no child is exempt from learning Maltese and English (sheet MT-ECOLE-TOUS-001).
• Mistaking Maltese for Arabic or Italian. It is a language in its own right, an official EU language, and a real source of national pride.
• Underestimating the summer heat when choosing a home.
• Planning a procedure on a public holiday: the administration is closed, even if shops are open.
• Emergencies: 112 for everything (police, fire brigade, ambulance).

What changes by country of origin

• British nationals (Scots included): same sockets, same driving on the left, English an official language: adaptation is quick. Since Brexit, the rules on entry and residence differ (sheet MT-SEJOUR-TOUS-001).
• French nationals: the French Embassy recommends registering on the register of French nationals living abroad (free, valid for 5 years). An Alliance française and a welcome association for French speakers exist in Malta (list on the embassy's website).
• Other Europeans: useful associations and contacts are to be sought through your country's embassy in Valletta.