Gozo Channel To Be FREE For Maltese And Gozitan Foot Passengers From January 2027

Travelling between Malta and Gozo is about to become cheaper for locals, as Gozo Channel will become completely free for eligible passengers travelling on foot from 1st January 2027.

The measure was announced by Prime Minister Robert Abela during his reaction to Budget 2027, confirming that Maltese and Gozitan citizens travelling between the two islands without a vehicle will no longer need to pay for their ferry tickets.

The free service will also extend to EU citizens and individuals holding Long-Term Resident Status.

Abela described the initiative as the fulfilment of another electoral manifesto pledge.

However, while eligible passengers will benefit from free travel, tourists and non-residents will face significantly higher ferry fares following measures announced by Finance Minister Clyde Caruana during his Budget 2027 speech.

Under the new Gozo Channel rates, adult non-resident passengers will pay €11 instead of €4.65, while children's tickets will increase from €1.15 to €7.

Tourists travelling with vehicles will also pay more, with the fare for a vehicle and driver increasing from €15.70 to €22.

Meanwhile, tourists using the fast ferry service between Malta and Gozo will face an additional €3 charge per journey.

According to Caruana, the Government currently spends over €18 million to maintain existing ferry services, with the revised tourist fares expected to generate approximately €13 million in additional revenue.

From 1st January 2027, eligible Maltese, Gozitan and EU foot passengers will travel between Malta and Gozo for free, while tourists will face higher fares.

#MaltaDaily