From the US Embassy

      Great Info from the US  Embassy

I’ve often made fun of the US Embassy and its lack of interest in Americans abroad, but today I received this very good general info for any Americans (or other foreigners or expats) in Malta:

July 16, 2009

•   COUNTRY DESCRIPTION:   Malta is a small, developed, democratic Mediterranean island nation, positioned as a cultural stepping-stone between Europe and North Africa. Malta became a member of the European Union with nine other new member states on May 1, 2004, and became a full member of the Schengen area in March 2008. Tourist facilities of all categories are widely available. Read the Department of State Background Notes on Malta for additional information.

REGISTRATION: U.S. citizens living or traveling in Malta are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate at the Department of State travel registration page, so that they can obtain updated information on local travel and security. U.S. citizens without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Registration is important; it allows the State Department to assist U.S. citizens in an emergency. 

ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS:Malta is a party to the Schengen agreement. As such, U.S. citizens may enter Malta for up to 90 days for tourist or business purposes without a visa. The passport should be valid for at least three months beyond the period of stay. For further details about travel into and within Schengen countries, please see our Schengen Fact sheet . For further information concerning entry requirements for Malta, travelers should contact the Embassy of Malta at 2017 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington DC 20008, tel.: (202) 462-3611, or the Maltese Consulate in New York City, tel.: (212) 725-2345.

The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Malta.

Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction  can be found on our website. For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information page.

THREATS TO SAFETY AND SECURITY: Malta remains largely free of terrorist incidents. No indigenous terrorist or extremist groups are known to be active in Malta, and no foreign terrorist organization has carried out an attack against U.S. interests in Malta.. Americans are reminded to remain vigilant with regard to their personal security and to exercise caution.

For the latest security information, U.S. citizens traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State's, Bureau of Consular Affairs' website. It contains current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts as well as the Worldwide Caution.

Up-to-date information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free within the U.S. and Canada, or by calling a regular toll line, 1-202-501-4444, from other countries. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

The Department of State urges American citizens to take responsibility for their own personal security while traveling overseas. For general information about appropriate measures travelers can take to protect themselves in an overseas environment, see the Department of State’s extensive tips and advice on traveling safely abroad.

CRIME: Malta has a low rate of violent crime. Theft of unattended personal property and car stereos from vehicles is a common problem. Travelers are strongly encouraged to secure their valuables, and be aware of pickpockets and purse snatchers. Such criminals focus on areas and establishments frequented by tourists. Caution is particularly urged in the Paceville nightclub area, where excessive drinking and poor crowd control have led to instances of violent behavior, including some that appeared to be racially motivated. Panhandling is almost non-existent in Malta. All visitors to Malta should practice the same good, common sense personal security precautions that are part of everyday life in urban areas within the U.S., particularly when spending time in areas frequented by tourists.

In many countries around the world, counterfeit and pirated goods are widely available. Transactions involving such products may be illegal under local law. In addition, bringing them back to the United States may result in forfeitures and/or fines. 

VICTIMS OF CRIM E : If you are the victim of a crime abroad, you should contact the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate (see end of this sheet or see the Department of State list of embassies and consulates). This includes the loss or theft of a U.S. passport. The embassy/consulate staff can, for example, help you find appropriate medical care, contact family members or friends and explain how funds could be transferred. Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime is solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed. 
The local equivalents to the “911” emergency line in Malta are: Police 191; Ambulance 196; Fire 199.

Please see our information on victims of crime, including possible victim compensation programs in the United States. Malta’s crime victim assistance agency, APPOGG, is available on-line or by calling their Support Line at 179.

CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime, prosecutable in the United States.

Persons violating Maltese laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Judicial proceedings in Malta often last several years, and foreign nationals are often denied bail while a court case is ongoing. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Malta are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. 

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: Malta customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning currency restrictions and temporary importation into or export from Malta of items such as firearms, antiquities, and any item that might be deemed to have resalable value. It is advisable to contact the Embassy of Malta in Washington, DC or the Consulate of Malta in New York City for specific information regarding customs requirements. Malta’s customs authorities encourage the use of an ATA (Admission Temporaire/Temporary Admission) Carnet for the temporary admission of professional equipment, commercial samples, and/or goods for exhibitions and fair purposes. ATA Carnet Headquarters located at U.S. Council for International Business, 1212 Avenue of the Americas, New York, N.Y. 10036, issues and guarantees the ATA Carnet in the United States. For additional information call (212) 354-4480, or contact them by e-mail.

MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION: Medical care is available through public and private hospitals. The quality of medical care in Malta is excellent. Private hospitals generally offer a higher standard of service than the public hospitals, and the majority of the best doctors practice in private medical facilities.

Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747) or via the CDC website. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad, consult the infectious diseases section of the World Health Organization (WHO) website. The WHO website also contains additional health information for travelers, including detailed country-specific health information.

MEDICAL INSURANCE: The Department of State strongly urges U.S. citizens to consult their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad. Important questions are whether the policy applies overseas and whether it covers emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. For more information, please see our medical insurance overseas page.

TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. Traffic in Malta flows on the left, requiring attentiveness and caution from visitors from right-hand drive countries such as the United States. In addition, drivers may be erratic or undisciplined. Roads flood easily, and are often narrow, winding, and congested, with poor visibility around curves. Traffic arteries are prone to bottlenecks and accidents. Buses are the primary means of public transportation. Though the bus fleet is being modernized, most buses are old, cramped, and not air-conditioned. Taxis are safe but expensive and are not metered; it is a good practice to agree with the driver in advance on the charge.
Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information. There is a Malta Tourist Information Office located at Freedom Square in Valletta, tel. 2123-7747.

AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government of Malta’s Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Malta’s air carrier operations. Further information may be found on the FAA's website.

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CHILDREN'S ISSUES: Please see our Office of Children’s Issues web pages on intercountry adoption and international parental child abduction.

EMBASSY LOCATION/REGISTRATION: U.S. citizens living or traveling in Malta are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate at the Department of State travel registration page, so that they can obtain updated information on local travel and security. U.S. citizens without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Registration is important; it allows the State Department to assist U.S. citizens in an emergency. Local embassy information is available below and at the Department of State list of embassies and consulates.

The U.S. Embassy is located on the third floor of the Development House, St. Anne Street, Floriana, telephone (356) 2561-4000. The Consular Section’s telephone number is (356) 2156-4115, fax: (356) 2124-3229. The Consular Section is open to the public Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

* * *

This replaces the Country Specific Information for Malta dated November 26, 2008, to update sections on Crime and Criminal Penalties.

Comments

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Hi Dee, watch out for the CIA. And Mr. S--maybe you should watch out for the CIA, also---Ilene

[Mr.S]

Maybe it was because Barack Obama just appointed the new American Ambassador . Douglas Kmiec , a Catholic law professor from California , endorsed Obama early in the campaign . Barack is quoted as saying ' Douglas is more Catholic than most Catholics I know ' , so he sounds the right person for Malta . Talk about ' return on investment ' ! Now all the rest in the embassy have to get their act together and start working sending out e-mails .I hope he finds the Maltese beaches as nice as the ones in Malibu. I wonder if they are building a new Cathedral or an Embassy in Ta'Quali ?

[Dee Owen]

That is great information. Glad you got it eventually! We got some basic information from the CIA website also. Dee

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Hi Mary--I think I'm just on their mailing list now and they decided to send this stuff out. Why they took so long? I have no idea. But I hope it answers a lot of questions that people have about traveling/moving to Malta---Ilene

[Mary Bartolotta]

Ilene,
Good info., but why did they wait so long?Did you're getting a Maltese work permit trigger the start of keeping in touch with you? In the meantime, just think of all that could have befallen you. Where would you have turned?
We have been in Vermont since Wednesday and enjoying it to the hilt. Perfect weather etc. I go back to work on Tuesday and start off with a bang. I and all my agents will be attending a full-day seminar in Albany (8-4:30). If that doesn't do me in, nothing will. Take care and be safe.
Mary