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Malta Tourism Authority Licences & Applications
Accommodation

Collective Accommodation

Any collective accommodation development requires a licence from the Malta Tourism Authority.

Any collective accommodation development requires a licence from the Malta Tourism Authority.

Collective accommodation includes hotels, and other hotel-type accommodation establishments like aparthotels, serviced apartments, hostels, guest houses, boutique hotels, tourist villages and other similar establishments as decreed by the Authority.

An application can be filed manually at the Product Development Directorate, Smart City, Malta.

Applicable Laws (Rights and Obligations)

Under the 2026 Regulations

New hotel and collective-accommodation projects face tighter criteria, with quality and heritage prioritised over scale.

What changes for this application

  • Proposals exceeding the height limits in the applicable Local Plan Height Limitation Maps will no longer be favourably considered.
  • New hotels, extensions or redevelopments with more than 200 rooms will not be considered, nor will establishments rated below three stars.
  • New one- and two-star hotels and all-inclusive resorts are excluded, particularly within Outside Development Zones (ODZ).
  • Guest houses are limited to a maximum of 20 rooms in urban conservation areas and must respect the architectural value of the buildings.
  • Boutique and luxury boutique hotel categories are formally recognised in law for the first time.
  • New “Heritage” and “Diffuso” labels are introduced — the latter allowing accommodation across multiple buildings in the same area, centred on a main building — with strong emphasis on the restoration and adaptive reuse of historic buildings.

Across all accommodation

  • A single, harmonised licensing framework now covers all categories of tourist accommodation; operating without MTA authorisation is expressly prohibited.
  • A Tourism Policy Compliance Certificate is required, where applicable, as a prerequisite for development and licensing.
  • Licences are issued only to the “proprietor in title” — owners, authorised agents, lessees or other lawful holders of rights over the property.
  • The reform signals a clear shift from volume-driven growth towards a more sustainable, higher-value tourism model.

Source: S.L. 409.24 — Tourism Accommodation Regulations, 2026, in force after a transitional period.

Documents needed with application

To be provided to the Product Development Department (MTA):

  • Copy of Identity Card (Both Sides)
  • VAT Number
  • Site Plan
  • Photos of Site Plan
  • Layout Plan of premises certified by an Architect
  • Proof of Ownership of property/ If applicable Contract of Lease or Lands Department
  • Police Conduct (If person applying has not resided in Malta for the last 5 years, the Police conduct from the country of origin is requested)
  • Tourism Compliance Statement
  • Project Developer or Operator Profile
  • Marketing and Operation

To be provided to the Licensing Department (MTA) following the issuance of the Tourism Policy Compliance Certificate:

  • Scanned copy of ID Card of Licensee
  • Curriculum Vitae of Licensee
  • Recent Police Conduct of Licensee
  • Copy of Full Memorandum & Articles of Association (if Applicant/Operator is a Body Corporate) or Deed of Partnership (if Applicant/Operator is a Partnership)
  • Company Board Resolution appointing an Official Representative of the Company (if Applicant/Operator is a Body Corporate) or Partnership Resolution appointing an Official Representative of the Partnership (if Applicant/Operator is a Partnership)
  • Scanned copy of ID Card of Operator (if applicable)
  • Curriculum Vitae of Licensee (if applicable)
  • Recent Police Conduct of Licensee (if applicable)
  • Copy of Full Memorandum & Articles of Association (if Operator is a Company)
  • Company Board Resolution appointing an Official Representative of the Company (if Operator is a Company)
  • Copy of Approved PA Development Permit including Site Plan and Drawings showing establishment in RED
  • Architect’s Declaration stating that the establishment is compliant with PA Development Permit and Plans;
  • Public Discharge Permit
  • Health Department/Food Safety Unit Clearance
  • Swill Agreement
  • Third-party Liability Insurance for a minimum of €250,000
  • Within forty-five (45) days from the date of receipt of a complete application, the Authority shall determine whether to issue a licence. This period may, prior to the expiry of the relevant period, be extended by the Authority for one period of not more than sixty (60) days. Such extension and the reasons behind it shall be notified to the applicant without delay.

Incomplete Application Forms

In the case of an incomplete application form, the Authority shall, without delay, inform the applicant of the need to supply any additional information or documentation, or of the need to conduct any interviews or inspection.

Nonetheless, when the Authority has not determined whether to issue a licence to an applicant, within the periods mentioned above, such applicant shall not be deemed, for all intents and purposes of law, to be licensed.

Means of Redress or Appeal

Any person who feels aggrieved by a decision of the Authority, as provided in article 14(1) of Chapter 409 – Travel and Tourism Services Act, may appeal to the Tourism Appeals Board, on payment of the prescribed fee (applicable fees as per Legal Notice 409.05), within fifteen (15) days from the date the decision on which the appeal is entered is communicated to the person concerned.

All information related to the Tourism Appeals Board can be found here.