Safety and emergency numbers in Malta

Malta is among the lower-risk destinations on the State Department's list, and most Americans who live there deal with routine issues: traffic, petty theft in crowded areas, summer heat and the sea. Knowing the numbers, the advisory and the embassy's role before you need them makes any real emergency easier. This guide covers each from official sources.

The State Department advisory: Level 1

The State Department's travel advisory for Malta is Level 1, "Exercise Normal Precautions", the lowest of its four levels. Level 1 means the State Department has not identified risks above what you would expect in most countries. It does not mean there are no risks.

The Malta advisory highlights one specific danger: riptides, which have caused tourist drownings. The advice is to follow lifeguards' instructions at beaches. Read the full advisory before your move and check it again periodically, because levels and notes change.

Emergency numbers

The Malta Police Force's page on emergency services explains that 112 connects callers with police, medical help and fire services. Calls are free, can be made from any phone, even one without a SIM card, and the service runs 24/7. People with a hearing or speech impairment can use the police textphone service on 79770112.

The State Department's Malta page lists other numbers worth saving:

• 179: Malta's toll-free national helpline, available 24/7 for support, information on social services and referrals.
• 2568-9700: domestic violence hotline and the victim support agency.
• 1579: National Mental Health Helpline.
• 1772: loneliness helpline.
• 1777: gambling support helpline.
• 153: assistance for people with disabilities.
• 116-006: free national support line for victims of crime, run by Malta's Victim Support Agency.

Tips for calling 112:

• Say where you are first. Know your town and street name.
• Describe what happened and how many people are hurt.
• Stay on the line until the operator ends the call.

Crime: what the official reports say

The State Department describes crime rates in Malta as very low. The most reported crimes are simple assault, pickpocketing and petty theft. Armed robbery, sexual assault and homicide are rare but do occur, and criminals focus on areas and establishments visited by tourists. It also reports thefts of unattended property.

The Overseas Security Advisory Council's (OSAC) Malta report, drawn from the CrimeMalta Observatory's annual review, gives numbers: 16,662 crimes recorded in 2024 against a population of 563,443, and a homicide rate of 0.7 per 100,000 residents. Violent crime fell to 344 cases in 2024, while theft, particularly entertainment-related theft and pickpocketing, rose from 405 to 650 cases. OSAC names St Julian's, Mdina, Valletta, Floriana, Sliema, St Paul's Bay and Ta' Xbiex as areas with higher crime, though still lower than most US cities.

### Paceville at night

Both the State Department and OSAC single out the Paceville nightclub area. They report excessive drinking, large crowds and heavy-handed bouncers, with disagreements leading to violence, some of it apparently racially motivated. The State Department also reports drugging of travellers, robbery and assault at bars. Watch your drink, go out in groups and leave if a situation with door staff escalates.

### ATMs

OSAC recommends using ATMs inside shopping malls, hotels and banks, which are monitored, and checking machines for card-reader devices or altered keypads. If someone approaches while you withdraw money, cancel the transaction and leave. Never accept unrequested help at an ATM.

Reporting crime

You can report crimes to the police by dialling 112. Ask for a copy of any report, which you need for insurance claims and for replacing a stolen US passport. The State Department notes that Malta's Victim Support Agency is the national contact point for victims and offers information, emotional support and legal advice.

Drugs and the law

The State Department warns that penalties for possessing, using or trafficking illegal drugs in Malta are severe, and that people who break local laws, even by mistake, have been detained for long periods. Your US passport does not protect you from arrest or prosecution. If you are arrested, ask the authorities to notify the US Embassy.

Sea safety

The State Department's advisory for Malta notes that riptides have caused drownings. For residents, the practical rules are to swim where lifeguards are on duty, follow their instructions, and know how you will get out of the water at rocky swimming spots before you get in. The State Department also notes that in rural areas it can take longer for medical help to arrive.

Heat

Maltese summers are hot, and limestone streets reflect heat. Plan outdoor activity for early morning and evening, carry water, and check on older neighbours in heatwaves. Heat matters for pets too.

Roads

Traffic is the risk most residents face daily. Malta drives on the left, roads are narrow and busy, and scooters and buses share them with cars. Never drink and drive.

Medical emergencies

Ambulances are dispatched through 112. Mater Dei Hospital in Msida is Malta's main acute general hospital with an emergency department, and Gozo has its own general hospital. Health centres run by the primary health care department offer walk-in care for urgent but non-life-threatening problems.

The US Embassy: what it can and cannot do

The US Embassy in Malta is in Ta' Qali National Park, Attard. Its American Citizen Services unit handles passports, reports of birth abroad, notarials and help for US citizens in emergencies. For a US citizen in trouble, the embassy can:

• replace a lost or stolen passport, including emergency passports,
• help contact family and explain how to send money,
• provide a list of local lawyers and doctors,
• visit US citizens who are arrested and make sure they have access to a lawyer,
• assist families after the death of a US citizen.

It cannot pay your bills, act as your lawyer, get you out of jail or override Maltese law.

Emergencies and after hours. The embassy's citizen services page says that if you have an emergency, you should email [email protected]. To request an emergency appointment on weekends or US or Maltese holidays, call (+356) 2561-4000. The embassy lists family death or illness, emergency medical treatment and a US court summons as examples of urgent cases. Routine services are by appointment through its online calendar, one appointment per family.

The State Department adds that the embassy can provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the US or limited medical support in cases of need, help you find accommodation and travel options, and give information on victim compensation programmes in the US.

STEP enrollment

The State Department's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) lets you register your stay or residence so the embassy can send you security alerts and contact you in an emergency. Enroll as a resident with your Maltese address and phone number, and add each family member. Update it when you move or change numbers.

Your safety checklist

1. Save 112, 179 and 116-006.
2. Enroll in STEP with your Maltese address.
3. Save [email protected] and (+356) 2561-4000.
4. Know where your nearest health centre and Mater Dei's emergency department are.
5. Keep a copy of your passport separate from the original.
6. Swim where lifeguards are on duty, and take care in Paceville at night.

Common questions

What is the emergency number in Malta? 112 connects you with police, medical help and fire services, free from any phone. The State Department also lists 179 as Malta's 24/7 national helpline and 116-006 as the victim support line.

What is the State Department advisory level for Malta? Level 1, Exercise Normal Precautions. The advisory specifically warns about riptides that have caused tourist drownings.

How do I contact the US Embassy in Malta after hours? Email [email protected] for an emergency. For an emergency appointment on weekends or holidays, the embassy lists (+356) 2561-4000.

Should I enroll in STEP if I live in Malta? Yes. STEP lets the embassy send you alerts and contact you in an emergency. Enroll with your Maltese address and update it when you move.