Tax-Free Shopping in Malta 🇱🇻

Shop tax-free in Malta with Vatfree.com! As you wander through the winding streets of Malta's charming towns and villages, you'll come across a plethora of unique boutiques and markets selling everything from handmade lace and ceramics to intricate jewelry and clothing made from locally sourced materials.

Whether you're in search of luxury goods, unique souvenirs, or traditional crafts, Malta's shopping scene has something for everyone. And with its warm climate, stunning scenery, and rich cultural heritage, Malta is the perfect destination for a memorable shopping experience.

Local currency is € Euro

• VAT is applied to all purchases

• Standard VAT rate: 18%

• Low VAT rate: 7% on food and some optical products. 

• Low VAT rate: 5% on medicines, pharmaceutical goods, books, magazines.

• Minimum spend amount: 50 EUR per receipt

5 Tax-Free shopping rules

1. A Tax-Free form is mandatory in Malta. You can ask for a Tax-Free form in the store or you can download and print a Tax-Free form from Maltese Customs.

2. You must purchase goods (online or in stores) for private use to take back home to a non-EU country.

3. There is a minimum spend for a tax refund in Malta. In order to be eligible for a VAT (Value Added Tax) refund, you must have spent a minimum of €50. However, it's important to note that not all purchases are eligible for a VAT refund and some restrictions may apply. It's best to check with the retailer or VAT refund company for specific details and requirements.

4. You must get a Customs export validation stamp before the end of the 3rd month, after the month of purchase. So if you buy a product in February, you can declare the product for export validation till the end of May of that year. The Customs export validation (either an ink stamp on your documentation or digitally approved) is mandatory to prove export of goods. Without this proof, no VAT refund can be issued.

Where to get Customs validation?

At the last EU departure point like the airport of Malta or upon arrival in a non-EU country. Required documentation to show the Customs officer: 

• Passport (If you have an EU passport; other proof of residence outside the EU)

• Boarding pass

• Purchased items

• Purchase invoices

• Tax-Free form (ask for a Tax-Free form in the store or download and print a Tax-Free form from Maltese Customs)

Good to know

At the airport, please allow enough time for Customs approval process before your flight departs. An extra 30 minutes before check-in time is usually enough.

Make sure the goods are in an unused condition.

Make sure to visit Customs before check-in as you will probably check in your main luggage. If you plan to carry the goods in your hand luggage, visit Customs after check-in if the airport map shows this option.

Make sure to take a photo of your stamped documents after visiting Customs. Upload these photos via the vatfree.com app or after logging in to your account. In case of loss, you will always have the digital copies in a safe place and the VAT refund process might still be able to take place.

If you are departing an Malta’s airport but changing flights at another EU airport, and if the goods you are exporting are to be checked through to a destination outside the EU, go to Customs at the Malta's airport and your documentation will be export validated as if you were at the EU departure point. If your luggage is not checked through to a destination outside the EU, you need to have your documentation export validated at the EU airport where the changing flights occur. 

In smaller airports, there may be no Customs Official present, in this case, look for the Customs deposit box and instructions.