Malta is small enough to cross in under an hour, and most visitors stay in Valletta, Sliema or St Julian's and take day trips to Mdina, Gozo and the Blue Lagoon on Comino. Coverage is strong across the islands. For EU SIM cards, Malta is covered by Roam Like at Home, while visitors with a SIM from the UK, the United States or elsewhere usually pay roaming by the day.
Key facts for Malta
- EU roaming: covered by Roam Like at Home
- Local networks: GO, epic, Melita (depending on the plan)
- Emergency numbers: 112
- Embassies: in Valletta and the surrounding towns
Getting around
Buses cover the whole of Malta and Gozo and accept contactless bank cards, phones and smartwatches on board; for longer stays, a Tallinja card is better value. Bolt, Uber and eCabs are easy to book by app. Malta drives on the left, so take care when crossing the road.
Valletta and the Three Cities
Valletta, a UNESCO World Heritage city, is compact but hilly, and the Upper Barrakka Lift links the waterfront with the top of the city walls. Small ferries cross the Grand Harbour to the Three Cities and to Sliema in a few minutes, and the signal is strong all around the harbour.
Gozo and Comino
The car ferry from Ċirkewwa to Mġarr on Gozo takes about 25 minutes, and in summer boats leave regularly for the Blue Lagoon on Comino. Coverage is good on Gozo and around the lagoon. Comino has very few facilities, so bring water, sunscreen and some shade.
Sun, sea and safety
In summer, temperatures often pass 30 °C, so carry water and avoid the midday sun. Many swimming spots are rocky, and some have strong currents when the wind picks up, so check the flags and local warnings before you swim.
Language
English and Maltese are both official languages, so signs, menus and timetables are in English almost everywhere, and most people you meet speak it fluently.
Getting connected
EU SIM: Malta counts as home for roaming, so your usual allowance applies. A travel eSIM is only useful if your tariff gives you little data in the EU.
SIM from the UK or outside the EU: install a travel eSIM before you fly. It starts on its first connection in Malta, and your usual number stays reachable for texts and bank codes. For a day trip to Sicily on the fast ferry from Valletta, which takes under two hours, a Europe plan covers both countries.
Maltese prepaid SIMs from GO, epic or Melita are sold at the airport and in phone shops, and they must be registered with an identity document.
Consular protection: who to call in Malta
- 112 reaches the police, ambulances and the fire service.
- Embassies are in Valletta and the surrounding towns. The Telcomia app shows yours, with address and phone.
- The app has emergency phrases in Maltese, ready to show on screen, although English is spoken everywhere.
Questions travellers ask about Malta
Does my EU plan work in Malta?
Yes. Malta is part of Roam Like at Home.
Does my UK plan work in Malta?
It depends on your operator: since Brexit, many UK operators charge for roaming in the EU.
Which networks does a Telcomia eSIM use in Malta?
GO and epic on most plans, and Melita on some, with 4G and 5G where available.
What is the emergency number?
112, for the police, an ambulance or the fire service.
The short version
From the EU, your plan works as at home; from the UK or further away, install the eSIM before you fly. Take the bus with your contactless card, bring water to Comino, and save 112.
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