What currency does Malta use?

Malta uses the euro (€), which it adopted in 2008. Cards are accepted in most restaurants, shops and hotels. Carry some cash (€20–50) for markets like Marsaxlokk, small village bars in Gozo and bus tickets if you haven't loaded the Tallinja card.

Malta currency 2026: euros, cards, ATMs, tipping guide

Malta’s currency: the euro since 2008

Malta adopted the euro on 1 January 2008, replacing the Maltese lira. For travellers from the eurozone, this eliminates any currency concern entirely — you bring euros, you spend euros, no exchange needed. For travellers from the UK, US, Australia and other non-euro countries, the practicalities are simple: buy euros before you travel or withdraw from ATMs on arrival.

Do you need cash in Malta?

The honest answer is: less than you might expect, but not zero.

Card payments are accepted virtually everywhere in the tourist corridor — Valletta restaurants, Sliema hotels, St Julian’s bars, activity booking desks and most ferry ticket offices. Contactless payments (including Apple Pay and Google Pay) are increasingly accepted in 2026.

However, cash is still needed for:

Marsaxlokk Sunday fish market — stalls and smaller food vendors are cash-only
Village bars and pastizzeri in rural Malta and Gozo — many small establishments in villages like Gharb, San Lawrenz and Qala do not have card terminals
Tallinja bus single tickets — you can pay €2 in exact change on the bus if you do not have a Tallinja card; the bus driver does not give change
Some market stalls at Ta’ Qali craft village and Marsaxlokk
Tips — while not mandatory, a cash tip at a restaurant or for a tour guide is more practical than adding it via card

Carrying €30–50 in cash at any point covers almost every situation.

ATMs in Malta

ATMs are available throughout Malta and easy to find. Major banks with extensive ATM networks include:

HSBC Bank Malta — ATMs in Valletta, Sliema, St Julian’s, Bugibba, Mellieha, Victoria (Gozo) and most large towns
Bank of Valletta (BOV) — largest Maltese bank, ATMs in most villages as well as main centres
APS Bank — smaller network, typically in town centres

ATMs at Malta International Airport are available in the arrivals hall — convenient if you need immediate cash on landing.

Avoiding ATM fees

Most Maltese ATMs offer Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) — they ask if you want to pay in your home currency (pounds, dollars, etc.) rather than euros. Always choose to pay in euros. DCC uses a poor exchange rate and results in higher charges. Your home bank’s euro rate will almost always be better.

Many UK and European banks (Revolut, Wise, Monzo, N26) allow fee-free ATM withdrawals abroad up to a monthly limit. If you travel frequently, these are worth the five minutes it takes to sign up.

ATM withdrawal fees from Maltese banks for foreign cards are typically €2–4 per transaction. Minimise these by withdrawing larger amounts less frequently.

Card payments: what to expect

Visa and Mastercard are accepted essentially everywhere that accepts cards.

American Express is accepted in larger hotels and upscale restaurants in Valletta and Sliema but often refused at smaller establishments, fuel stations and markets. Do not rely on Amex as your only card.

Contactless is increasingly standard. Most restaurant and bar terminals accept contactless to at least €50; some set no limit. Apple Pay and Google Pay work wherever contactless is accepted.

PIN vs contactless: Most Maltese terminals will accept contactless first; if declined (usually due to cumulative transaction limits requiring a PIN), you insert the card and enter your PIN. Foreign chip-and-PIN cards work normally. Magnetic stripe cards (increasingly rare) are occasionally declined.

Currency exchange

If you arrive with non-euro currency, you can exchange at:

Banks — best rates, typically 9 am–1 pm on weekdays
Exchange bureaus — available at Malta Airport, Valletta and Sliema; rates are competitive but compare a couple
Hotels — usually have the worst rates; use only for emergencies

There is no black market and no advantage to buying currency on the street. Exchange in a bank or licensed bureau.

For UK visitors specifically: the pound-to-euro rate fluctuates significantly. Using a Wise card (mid-market rate, small fee) or withdrawing euros from a Revolut account generally beats high-street exchange offices.

Tipping in Malta

Tipping is not mandatory in Malta, and locals tip considerably less than in the US. The honest guide:

Restaurants: If service is not included (check the bill — a 10–12% service charge is sometimes added, especially in Valletta tourist-zone restaurants), 5–10% is standard for good service. In casual places (pastizzeri, cafés), no tip is expected.

Taxis: Round up to the nearest euro or add €1–2 on longer rides. There is no cultural expectation of 15–20% tips as in the US.

Private drivers and tour guides: €5–10 per person per day for a guide you are happy with. Private drivers typically receive €10–20 for a full-day tour depending on satisfaction.

Hotel staff: €1–2 per bag for luggage carried; leave a few euros at the end of a stay for housekeeping if service was good.

Boat crews: On group tours (Blue Lagoon boats, harbour cruises), a tip is not expected but a couple of euros per person is appreciated by the crew for a good trip.

Budget overview: what things cost in Malta in 2026

Compared to northern and western Europe, Malta is moderately priced — cheaper than the UK, France or Germany, similar to Italy or Spain.

Item	Approximate cost
Tallinja single bus ticket	€2 (summer) / €1.50 (winter)
Pastizz (the snack)	€0.30–0.50
Coffee at a café	€1.50–2.50
Pizza at a sit-down restaurant	€13–18
Fish dish at a Marsaxlokk restaurant	€18–25
Beer at a bar (0.5L)	€3–5
Cocktail in Paceville	€10–15
Supermarket beer (6-pack)	€5–7
Entry to St John’s Co-Cathedral	€15 (adult)
Gozo ferry (foot passenger, return)	€4.65
Comino boat trip (return)	€10–15
Mid-range restaurant dinner (2 people, wine)	€60–90
Budget hotel, 3-star, per night	€60–100 (shoulder)
4-star hotel, Valletta, per night	€120–180 (shoulder)
Fuel (per litre)	€1.60–1.75

A detailed breakdown by day and travel style is in the Malta budget guide.

Paying on ferries and activities

Cirkewwa–Mġarr ferry (Malta to Gozo): Payment is collected on the return journey (Mġarr to Cirkewwa) only, which catches many visitors off guard. The outward crossing is free; you pay for both directions when leaving Gozo. Foot passenger: €4.65 return. Car: approximately €15.70 return. Cards are accepted at the Mġarr terminal.

Comino boats from Mellieha/Marfa: Cash is often preferred but cards are accepted at most organised operators. The impromptu local boatmen at Mellieha Bay (smaller boats) sometimes prefer cash.

GYG and online bookings: Most activity operators accept card payment at the desk but booking in advance via platforms like GetYourGuide allows card payment and often better prices than walk-up rates.

Frequently asked questions about money in Malta

Can I pay in pounds or dollars in Malta?

No, and you should not. Malta’s official currency is the euro, and shops and restaurants are under no obligation to accept foreign currencies. No legitimate establishment takes pounds or dollars. Exchange your money or withdraw euros from ATMs.

Are there ATMs in Gozo?

Yes. Victoria (the capital of Gozo) has several ATMs from BOV and HSBC in and around the main square (Independence Square). Smaller towns like Xlendi and Marsalforn have ATMs in the village centre or nearby. ATMs are less numerous than on Malta, so withdraw in Mġarr or Victoria on arrival rather than hoping to find one in a remote village.

Is Revolut or Wise accepted in Malta?

Revolut and Wise issue Mastercard or Visa debit cards, which are accepted everywhere that takes Mastercard/Visa. These are excellent options for fee-free or low-fee euro transactions. The cards work at ATMs, restaurants, hotels and ticket desks with no issues.

Do restaurants include service charge in Malta?

Some Valletta restaurants aimed at tourists add a 10–12% service charge to the bill. Always check the bottom of the bill before calculating a tip — if a service charge is already included, there is no need to add more. Less touristy restaurants typically do not include it.

Can I use contactless everywhere in Malta?

Contactless is accepted in the vast majority of restaurants, bars and shops in tourist areas. It is less reliable in rural villages, markets and from street vendors, where cash remains the norm. Carry €20–30 in small notes as backup.

What is the best way to bring money to Malta?

For EU visitors: bring euros you already have or use your euro card directly. For UK and US visitors: load a Wise or Revolut card with euros at the mid-market rate before travelling, or withdraw from Maltese ATMs using those cards. Avoid airport exchange counters at your departure airport — they offer among the worst rates available.

Last reviewed: 2026-04-20