Table of Contents Importing a Car to Malta: Understanding the Basics Step-by-Step: Planning Your Malta Car Import the Right Way Car Registration in Malta: Documents and Bureaucracy Malta Car Import Costs: Calculating Your Budget Accurately Driving on the Left in Malta: Switching from Right- to Left-Hand Traffic Malta Traffic Rules: What German Drivers Need to Know Registering Your Car in Malta: The Final Bureaucratic Marathon Avoiding Common Mistakes When Importing a Car to Malta Frequently Asked Questions I’m sitting here in my German car with Maltese plates, thinking back to the day I decided: The car’s coming with me to Malta. What started as a spontaneous idea turned into months of navigating EU directives, administrative hurdles, and the challenges of driving on the left. Today, two years later, I can tell you this much: every minute was worth it – but only because I now know how to get it right. If you’re wondering whether your trusty four-wheeled companion should make the leap to the Mediterranean island, you’re in the right place. While most guides will tell you it’s all very easy, I’ll give you the honest truth: importing a car to Malta is doable, but you’ll need a plan, patience, and a touch of Maltese laid-back attitude. Importing a Car to Malta: Understanding the Basics Before you turn your key for the first time on Maltese soil, you should understand what importing a car to Malta actually means. It’s not just taking a ferry crossing – it’s an official import into another EU country, with all that entails. When is your car considered imported? This is where it gets interesting: Your car is considered imported as soon as you use it in Malta for more than six months. That’s the magic line after which Transport Malta (the Maltese licensing authority) says: Welcome to the Maltese tax system. Until then, you can drive around with your German plates – but be careful: the clock starts ticking from the very first day you arrive. EU Freedom of Movement vs. National Laws You’re right: as an EU citizen, you have freedom of movement. But your car? It’s subject to the national laws of the country where it’s registered. Malta has its own rules, and they’re quite something: Registration Tax: Can be as high as 37% of the vehicle’s value Technical Inspection: Maltese VIP-Test (Vehicle Inspection Programme) Left-Hand Drive Adaptation: Headlights must be adjusted Insurance Change: Your German policy only covers you for a limited time Malta Vehicle Registration: Your Three Options There are basically three ways to legally drive your car in Malta: Tourist Status: Up to 6 months with German plates (for visitors only) Temporary Registration: For stays between 6-12 months (complicated and expensive) Full Import: Permanent Maltese registration (the gold standard) Spoiler: If you’re staying longer, there’s no way around full import. Anything else is pricier and more complicated. Step-by-Step: Planning Your Malta Car Import the Right Way The best time to import your car? Definitely not on a Maltese public holiday. Trust me, it feels like there’s one every other day. I once tried to sort things out in August – big mistake. Half of Malta is on holiday, the other half is taking a siesta. Timeline: How to Plan Your Malta Car Import My advice: Start planning at least three months before you move. Here’s my tried-and-tested timeline: When Task Why it matters 3 months before Get vehicle valuation Basis for tax calculation 2 months before Have documents translated Maltese authorities insist on it 6 weeks before Book ferry ticket High season sells out fast 1 month before Terminate/adjust insurance Avoid double payments 2 weeks before Appointment at Transport Malta Appointments only bookable online Gathering Documents: Your Malta Car Import Checklist Maltese authorities love paperwork. Not digital, not by email – paper. Here’s the complete list of what you’ll need: Vehicle registration certificate (part I): Original plus certified translation Vehicle title (part II): Proof of ownership COC papers (Certificate of Conformity): From manufacturer, shows EU compliance Purchase agreement or invoice: Proof of value and for tax calculation Roadworthiness certificate (TÜV): No older than 6 months Passport or identity card: As an EU citizen, your ID card is fine Proof of Malta residency: Rental contract or utility bill Vehicle valuation: By a recognised assessor COC Papers: The Invisible Pitfall The COC papers (Certificate of Conformity) are the reason your import might fail before you even realise it. This certificate proves your car meets EU standards. Problem: Many car owners never get theirs or have long since lost it. Where to get it? Directly from the manufacturer or their representative. It takes 2-4 weeks and costs between €50-€200. BMW, Mercedes, VW – each has its own process. My tip: Call the German head office directly; they usually know more than the local dealer. Car Registration in Malta: Documents and Bureaucracy This is where it gets serious. You’re standing outside the Transport Malta Building in Marsa, wondering why it feels like half of Valletta is queuing in front of you. Welcome to the Maltese reality – things move at a relaxed pace here. Transport Malta: Your New Best Friend (or Worst Enemy) Transport Malta is the central contact point for anything on wheels. The building in Marsa is hard to miss – a modern complex that looks like something from another era. The good news: you can book appointments online. The bad news: appointments are often booked out for weeks. My insider tip: Check online at 8 am. Cancellations often free up slots at short notice. And yes, the service is a lot better than its reputation nowadays – gone are the days you’d spend all day there. The VIP-Test: Malta’s Version of the TÜV The Vehicle Inspection Programme (VIP) is Malta’s answer to the German TÜV inspection. The difference? It’s more thorough, takes longer, and comes with its own rules. What’s checked: Headlight alignment: Must be adapted for left-hand traffic Brakes and tires: Minimum tread 1.6mm (as in Germany) Emissions: Stricter than in Germany Safety equipment: First aid kit, warning triangle, hi-vis vest Electronics: All lights, horn, windscreen wipers The test costs €40 and takes about 30 minutes. You’ll need to book a separate appointment – and again: plan weeks ahead. Headlight Adjustment: Left is the New Right Your German headlights are set to the right – makes sense, for driving on the right. In Malta, they need to point left. This isn’t optional, it’s a requirement for the VIP test. You have two options: Headlight decals: Temporary fix using special stickers (€5-€10) Adjustment: Permanent fix in a workshop (€50-€150) Modern cars with LED or Xenon lights can often be switched via the onboard computer. Check your manual or ask a Maltese mechanic. Malta Car Import Costs: Calculating Your Budget Accurately Now for the painful part: What does it all cost? Let me be clear: it’s not getting any cheaper. Malta finances part of its national budget from car registrations. When I saw the first bill, I thought: There’s been a mistake. There hadn’t. Registration Tax: The Biggest Cost Factor The registration tax is the biggest chunk in your Malta car import. It’s based on your car’s current market value and can range from 0% to 37%. The calculation is complex and depends on: Vehicle type: Car, motorcycle, commercial vehicle Engine capacity: Bigger engine = higher tax CO2 emissions: Greener means cheaper Vehicle age: Older cars pay less tax Market value: Basis for the calculation Vehicle value Engine Engine > 1600cc Up to €5,000 0% 15% €5,001 – €15,000 15% 25% €15,001 – €25,000 25% 35% Over €25,000 35% 37% Malta Car Import Cost Overview: What You’ll Actually Pay Here’s the brutal truth – my full cost breakdown for a 3-year-old VW Golf worth €15,000: Item Cost Note Registration tax €3,750 25% of vehicle value VIP-Test €40 Maltese vehicle inspection Vehicle valuation €150 By a recognised assessor Translations €120 Certified vehicle document translations License plates €35 Maltese number plate Admin fees €85 Transport Malta administration Ferry (return) €280 With car, from Sicily Total €4,460 Excluding workshop costs Savings Tips: How to Cut Down Your Costs The registration tax is a given – there’s no way around it. But you can save on other points: Vehicle valuation: Get several quotes; prices vary widely Translations: Not every document needs a certified translation Ferry: Book outside the peak season, save up to 50% COC papers: Try your dealer first; often cheaper than the manufacturer When Is Import Not Worthwhile? Honestly: For cars over 10 years old or worth less than €5,000, think twice. Buying locally may well turn out cheaper. Malta has a vibrant used car market – often with right-hand drive imports from the UK, perfect for left-hand traffic. Driving on the Left in Malta: Switching from Right- to Left-Hand Traffic Okay, I’ll admit it: My first day driving on the left was a nightmare. I sat on the right, thought on the left, took a wrong turn and suddenly was facing oncoming traffic. Luckily, this happens in Malta more often than you’d think – Maltese drivers are very patient with confused tourists. Left-Hand Driving in Malta: Surviving Your First 24 Hours Switching to left-hand traffic is more a mental than a technical challenge. Your German car works just fine – it’s your brain that needs to rewire. What changes immediately: Seating position: You sit on the right, drive on the left – takes getting used to Roundabouts: Clockwise rather than counter-clockwise Overtaking lane: On the right instead of the left Turning: Left turns are the equivalent of right turns in Germany Malta Road Signs: British Heritage Meets EU Standards Malta’s road signs are a blend of British and EU standards. The upside: most are self-explanatory or in English. The confusion: speeds are in km/h, but some old signs use mph. Important road signs in Malta: Give Way: Yield right of way (like Vorfahrt beachten) No Entry: No entry Bus Lane: Buses only – heavy fines for violations ZTL (Zona Traffico Limitato): Restricted zone, residents only Right-Hand vs. Left-Hand Drive: Which Works Better? Wondering if your German left-hand drive car is a disadvantage in Malta? Somewhat, yes. Overtaking is harder because you don’t see oncoming traffic as well. On the flip side, parallel parking is easier. My experience after two years: You get used to it. Most expats drive left-hand drive cars; only the British and Maltese have right-hand drive. In Valletta or narrow streets, it doesn’t matter – nothing fits through anyway. Malta Traffic Rules: What German Drivers Need to Know Malta may be small, but the traffic rules pack a punch. Some are logical, others clearly date back to the colonial days. And then there are the unwritten rules no sign can explain. Speed Limits in Malta: Slower and More Relaxed Good news for stressed German drivers: In Malta, you’ll naturally drive more relaxed. Speed limits are moderate – and they’re actually enforced. Road type Speed limit Notes Urban area 50 km/h Often 30 zones Country road 80 km/h Usually narrower than in Germany Expressway 80 km/h Yes, only 80 here too! School zones 15 km/h Strictly enforced Parking in Malta: Creative, Costly or Impossible Parking in Malta is an art form. Official parking lots are usually full, unofficial ones creative, and parking fines hefty. Here’s Malta’s parking system: White lines: Free, but usually taken Blue lines: Pay parking, €1-€2 per hour Yellow lines: Residents only, permit required Red lines: Strict no stopping My tip: Download the Park Malta app. It shows real-time available spots and lets you pay directly. Has saved me countless fines. Malta Fines: Expensive and Efficient Maltese traffic police are efficient – sometimes too efficient. The most common traps for German drivers: Offence Fine How often Speeding €50-€300 Daily Illegal parking €25-€100 Very often Using mobile while driving €120 Frequently checked Driving in bus lane €300 Automatically by camera Running red light €150 Enforced by camera Special Traffic Rules in Malta A few quirks nobody tells you about: Roundabouts: In theory, whoever’s already inside has right of way – but some locals see things differently Horn: Used often and cheerfully, not in anger Indicators: Optional – at least some locals think so Pedestrian crossings: Pedestrians have priority, but don’t count on it Sunday drivers: Saturdays and Sundays are especially relaxed Registering Your Car in Malta: The Final Bureaucratic Marathon You have all your documents, passed the VIP-Test, the money for the registration tax is ready. Now comes the final step: actually registering at Transport Malta. Here’s where all those months of prep pay off – or you end up starting all over. The Big Day: Appointment at Transport Malta You’re standing in front of the Transport Malta Building with your briefcase, feeling like you’re about to take an exam. You’re not far wrong. Staff have seen every trick in the book and know every possible mistake on your paperwork. Here’s how the appointment goes: Check-in: Confirm appointment, take a number Document check: Everything is scrutinised Tax calculation: Based on the vehicle valuation Payment request: Cash or card, no exceptions Plate issue: Your new Maltese plates Maltese Number Plates: Your New Identity Maltese plates look different to German ones: three letters, three numbers, that’s it. Format: ABC 123. The letters are random, the numbers consecutively assigned. There are no custom plates – Malta’s practical, not vain. What your plate reveals: Old formats: DBY, GBY = registered before 2004 New formats: AAA-ZZZ = after joining the EU Special plates: P = Police, M = Military, H = Historic Insurance in Malta: The Final Step With a Maltese plate you’ll need Maltese insurance. Your German policy is no longer valid. No worries – there are plenty of insurers in Malta and premiums are fair. Popular insurers in Malta: Middlesea Insurance: Largest provider, lots of offices Elmo Insurance: Often cheaper, good online service Mapfre Middlesea: International group, EU-wide cover GasanMamo: Local provider, personal service The cost? Around €300-€600 per year for fully comprehensive cover, depending on age, vehicle, and no-claims history. Your German no-claims bonus is often recognised – bring a confirmation from your old insurer. Avoiding Common Mistakes When Importing a Car to Malta I’ve made almost all of them – the classic mistakes when importing a car. So you don’t have to learn the hard way, here are my top fails and how to avoid them. Mistake #1: Starting Planning Too Late Classic trap: You think, I’ll sort that out in a couple weeks. Doesn’t work. Appointments are booked out for weeks, COC papers take time, translations too. My first car sat around with German plates for three months because I was late getting organised. Solution: Give yourself at least three months, four is better. Mistake #2: Wrong Vehicle Valuation The registration tax is based on market value. Many people overvalue their car (feels good for the ego) or use the first assessor they find. Result: hundreds of euros in unnecessary taxes. Solution: Get several valuations, use the lowest realistic figure. Mistake #3: Going to the Office Without a VIP-Test Transport Malta won’t let you through without a valid VIP-Test. I tried it once – two hours wasted for nothing. Solution: VIP-Test first, then registration. Never the other way round. Mistake #4: Cancelling German Insurance Too Early You cancel your German insurance and end up uninsured because registering in Malta takes longer than expected. Solution: Only cancel your German policy after the Maltese one is confirmed. Malta Car Import Checklist: Final Check Before the Office Before heading off to Transport Malta, tick off this list: ☐ Passed VIP-Test (no older than 30 days) ☐ Vehicle valuation (recognised assessor) ☐ All documents translated and certified ☐ COC papers from manufacturer ☐ Proof of Malta residence not older than 3 months ☐ Enough cash for tax payment ☐ Appointment with Transport Malta confirmed ☐ Backup plan for insurance Frequently Asked Questions How long can I drive in Malta with German plates? As a tourist, up to 6 months. If you stay longer or register as resident, you have to import and re-register your car. What does importing a car to Malta really cost? For a car worth €15,000, expect around €4,000-€5,000 including all fees and taxes. The registration tax is the biggest component, at 15-37% of your car’s value. Do I absolutely need COC papers for import? Yes, you can’t do without a Certificate of Conformity. This proves your car meets EU standards. Available from your car maker for €50-€200. Can I transfer my German no-claims bonus? Usually yes. Maltese insurers often accept German proof of no-claims. Ask your old insurance company for an international confirmation. How hard is it to switch to left-hand traffic? The first few days are odd, especially when turning or overtaking. After a week, it’s second nature. German left-hand drive cars are absolutely fine on Maltese roads. When is importing a car not worthwhile? For cars over 10 years old or worth less than €5,000. In these cases, import costs often outweigh the car’s value. Consider buying locally in Malta instead. How do I find a good vehicle assessor in Malta? Transport Malta has a list of recognised assessors. Prices range from €100-€200. Get several quotes – the cheapest isn’t always the worst. What if the VIP-Test fails? You’ll get a list of defects and can retest after repairs. Most common issues: headlight adjustment and emissions. Retest cost: €40.
