Minimum on-the-spot fines for foreign nationals doubled from €25 to €50

Foreign nationals who do not habitually reside in Malta will now face minimum on-the-spot fines of €50, up from €25, after a new legal notice strengthening enforcement came into force today.

Announcing the measure on Facebook, Prime Minister Robert Abela said the legal notice had entered into force, doubling the minimum on-the-spot fines and marking another step towards ensuring greater order and respect within Maltese communities.

"When the law is enforced effectively, everyone benefits," Abela said, adding that the government will continue taking the necessary decisions to ensure rules are respected.

The increase builds on the enforcement regime that came into force last month, allowing Police officers, LESA officials and Environment and Resources Authority officers to issue immediate on-the-spot fines to foreign nationals who do not habitually reside in Malta and collect payment electronically at the time an offence is committed.

The system was introduced to address a long-standing issue whereby some non-residents left Malta without settling outstanding penalties.

Last month, Justice Minister Clifton Grima said discussions had begun on increasing on-the-spot fines, while Home Affairs Minister Glenn Bedingfield also indicated that the government intended to raise penalties for tourists caught disturbing the public peace or committing other offences.

With today's legal notice now in force, the minimum on-the-spot fine has officially increased from €25 to €50, further strengthening Malta's enforcement framework for offences committed by non-residents.

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