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Boating in Malta: Nautical Licence, insurance and speed limits
Boating in Malta is governed by the Small Ships Regulations. Anyone operating a motorboat needs a Maltese Nautical Licence and third party insurance, and whether a foreign licence is enough on its own is not officially settled. Near beaches and in harbours, speed limits of 10 knots apply.
Nautical Licence and foreign licences
- No one may operate a small motorised craft in Maltese waters without a Nautical Licence issued by Transport Malta and third party insurance. The licence is issued from age 18.[1]
- The rule covers craft registered under Regulation 3, which includes boats registered in another state to the authority's satisfaction.[1]
- ADAC states that a valid home licence and radio certificate are sufficient. Official recognition without further documents is not confirmed, so check with Transport Malta before you travel.[6][1]
- Transport Malta offers an Equivalency Letter; you apply with a copy of your existing certificate.[2]
- Hire companies may not rent motorboats to anyone under 18 and must brief hirers without a Nautical Licence. Boats may only be hired from licensed operators.[1]
Third party insurance
- Anyone operating a small motorised craft must be insured against liability for death, injury and damage to third party property, at a level approved by the authority.[1]
- Using such a craft without valid third party insurance is unlawful, and it is presumed uninsured until a certificate is produced.[1]
- The regulation does not state a minimum amount, so check before you travel. According to ADAC, marinas and charter firms often require liability cover.[1][6]
Licence fee
Documents on board
- A craft under 24 m may only be used in Maltese waters if registered in Malta or in another state to the authority's satisfaction, so keep your registration papers on board.[1]
- Have the insurance certificate ready, as the craft counts as uninsured without it.[1]
- According to ADAC, also carry proof of the boat's tax status (bill of sale, VAT invoice or customs papers) and a passport or identity card.[6]
Safety equipment
- Maltese craft are registered only with the safety equipment the authority requires. We found no list for visiting boats under a foreign flag; check before you travel.[1]
- According to ADAC, carry lifejackets for all, fire extinguishers, first aid kit, anchor, navigation lights, sound signal and distress signals; for crossings, VHF radio, liferaft, radar reflector, current charts and an EPIRB are recommended.[6]
Speed limits, swimming zones and alcohol
- Motorised craft may not exceed 10 knots in any harbour, within 300 m of sandy beaches or within 200 m of any other shore.[1]
- Water skiing is banned in the same zones and in harbour entrances. When towing a skier, a second person over 18 must watch them.[1]
- Fines apply for entering, anchoring or mooring in restricted areas, mooring to swimming zone buoys and lines, oil spills and excessive exhaust smoke.[1]
- In Grand Harbour and Marsamxett Harbour, swimming more than 20 m from the shore is prohibited.[1]
- Operating under the influence is an offence, but the regulation sets no limit. ADAC cites 0.5 per mille and 0.2 for novices and commercial skippers; check before you travel.[1][6]
VHF watch at Valletta, Marsaxlokk and Mgarr
Towing a boat trailer in Malta
- For cars towing a trailer under 3.5 t, the European Commission gives Malta a limit of 60 km/h outside built-up areas, expressways included.[7]
- In built-up areas the limit with a trailer is 40 km/h. Rules on load overhang, marking and ferry vehicle classes have not been confirmed from an official source.[7]
Search and rescue
Keep your registration papers, insurance certificate and licence on board, ideally with recognition confirmed by Transport Malta. Call the right VHF channel before entering harbour.
NAMMERT customers can get their liability confirmation in English.
Questions
Is my foreign licence valid in Malta?
ADAC says yes, but the regulation requires a Nautical Licence. Check with Transport Malta whether you need an Equivalency Letter.
Is boat insurance compulsory in Malta?
Yes, third party cover for every small motorised craft, with the certificate on board.
How fast can I go near Maltese beaches?
No more than 10 knots within 300 m of sandy beaches, 200 m of other shores and in harbours.
Which VHF channel do I use at Valletta?
Channel 12 for Valletta VTS, channel 14 at Marsaxlokk and channel 10 at Mgarr.
Sources
As of: 11 Oct 2026. Rules change. Check with the authorities of the country before you travel.
- legislation.mt: Small Ships Regulations, S.L. 499.52, konsolidiert bis Legal Notice 317 of 2019, abgerufen 2026-10-11
- Transport Malta: Application for the Issuance of an Equivalency Letter (TM/TCU/208a), Formular vom 27.02.2025, abgerufen 2026-10-11
- Transport Malta: Application for a Nautical Licence, Formular vom 22.09.2026, abgerufen 2026-10-11
- Transport Malta: Safety of Navigation, ohne Datum, abgerufen 2026-10-11
- Armed Forces of Malta: Operations Centre (RCC Malta), ohne Datum, abgerufen 2026-10-11
- ADAC Skipper-Portal: Revier Malta, ohne Datum, abgerufen 2026-10-11
- Europäische Kommission, Your Europe: Road rules and safety (Malta), abgerufen 2026-10-11, Seite zuletzt geprüft 18/09/2024
