Malta
Currency in Malta: what to use and how to exchange
Malta uses the euro (EUR, €). Bring a card and a small cash float: cards work almost everywhere, but a few buses, small kiosks and rural places still prefer cash. Exchange at a bank or ATM in Valletta or Sliema rather than at the airport, and pay in euro if a terminal offers you a choice of currency.
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GuideMalta
Key facts
- Currency
- Euro (EUR, €); 100 cents = €1
- Cards accepted
- Widely, including contactless; keep €20–50 cash for small vendors
- Best value exchange
- Bank or ATM withdrawal in euro; airport and hotel counters cost more
- Dynamic currency conversion
- Decline it; choose to be charged in EUR, not your home currency
- Tipping
- 5–10% in restaurants; round up taxis
- Time zone
- CET, UTC+1; UTC+2 from late March to late October
- Emergency number
- 112 for police, ambulance and fire
Details
Malta adopted the euro in 2008, so there is no dual-currency confusion and no need to change money on arrival if you already hold euro. Prices are quoted in euro everywhere, including Gozo and Comino. Notes run from €5 to €500, though €100 and €500 notes are awkward for small shops; carry €10, €20 and €50 instead.
Cards are the default for hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, ferries and most taxis. Contactless is normal. The gaps are small: some village kiosks, market stalls, older bus ticket machines and a few family-run guesthouses. A €20–50 float covers those and tips.
If you need cash, use a bank ATM in Valletta, Sliema or Victoria rather than a standalone machine in a tourist strip; standalone machines often add a fee and a worse rate. Withdraw in euro and let your own bank do the conversion. At a card terminal, if you are offered the choice of paying in your home currency, decline it — that is dynamic currency conversion and it usually costs 3–7% more.
- Tell your bank you are travelling if it still requires it, to avoid a blocked card.
- Keep a card separate from your phone and wallet in case one is lost.
- Small shops may have a minimum card spend; ask before assuming.
| Method | Typical cost | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Bank ATM withdrawal in EUR | Your bank's fee plus any local operator fee | Best everyday source of cash |
| Bank or post office counter exchange | Spread plus possible commission | Larger amounts, if you arrive with foreign cash |
| Airport or hotel exchange counter | Usually the weakest rate | Emergency only |
| Card payment in EUR | Whatever your card issuer charges | Default for almost everything |
| Card payment converted to your home currency | Often 3–7% worse | Never — always choose EUR |
Fees and spreads change; confirm with your bank before you travel.
Tips
Do not over-buy euro before you leave. Malta is card-friendly, and leftover euro is easy to spend on a later trip within the eurozone but harder to convert back at a good rate.
Prices include VAT, and service charges are sometimes already added in tourist-area restaurants; check the bill before adding a tip on top.
If you are coming from the UK, US, Canada or Australia, your home bank's exchange rate plus fees is usually better than any counter in Malta. Compare the total cost, not just the headline rate.
Keep a few coins for bus fares and small purchases, and note that the emergency number is 112 if anything goes wrong.
- Withdraw larger amounts less often to reduce fixed ATM fees.
- Photograph your card details and keep them offline.
- Use a card with no foreign transaction fee if you have one.
FAQ
Questions people ask
What currency is used in Malta?
The euro (EUR, €), divided into 100 cents. Malta has used it since 2008, and the same currency applies on Gozo and Comino.
Where is the best place to exchange money in Malta?
A bank branch or a bank ATM in Valletta, Sliema or Victoria. Airport and hotel counters are convenient but usually give a weaker rate. Withdraw in euro and decline conversion to your home currency.
Is it better to bring cash or use a card in Malta?
Use a card for most spending and carry €20–50 in cash for small vendors, markets and tips. Cards are accepted almost everywhere, including contactless.
Can I pay in US dollars or pounds in Malta?
No. Prices are in euro. Some tourist businesses may accept foreign cash at a poor rate, so change to euro or pay by card instead.
Do I need cash for buses in Malta?
Cards and contactless are accepted on most services, but keep coins as a backup on older machines and rural routes.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- officialEuropean Central Bank – Euro
- officialVisit Malta – Official tourism site
- officialCentral Bank of Malta
- secondaryWikivoyage – Malta