In Malta, short-term rentals are licensed as short-let rented accommodation by the Malta Tourism Authority. On booking platforms such as Airbnb, Booking.com and Vrbo they appear as vacation rentals, holiday lets or apartments.

A short-let is furnished accommodation, from a room to a whole house or apartment, let to tourists for no more than 90 consecutive days per booking. Lets longer than that are residential leases governed by Malta's rent laws and registered with the Housing Authority.

Subletting for short-term rentals in Malta is generally allowed if the tenant obtains prior written consent from the property owner or landlord. The Maltese law requires that the tenant must inform the landlord of their intention to sublet, especially for short-term tourist accommodations, and often a formal agreement is needed. Some landlords may include clauses in tenancy agreements that restrict subletting, making it essential for tenants to seek approval before listing a property on short-term rental platforms.

Under the Tourism Accommodation Regulations, 2026, a single short-let booking in Malta may not exceed 90 consecutive days. Longer lets fall under Malta's residential lease rules and must be registered with the Housing Authority instead.

Yes. Since 15 June 2026, short-lets in Malta are governed by the Tourism Accommodation Regulations, 2026 (S.L. 409.24), administered by the Malta Tourism Authority. Key requirements:

• No short-let may operate without prior MTA authorisation.
• No single booking may exceed 90 consecutive days.
• A named person must be available 24 hours a day to handle complaints, with contact details kept up to date with the MTA.
• Maximum two persons per bedroom approved by the Planning Authority, and maximum ten people per unit unless it has independent access from a public road.
• No bedrooms in basements or underground areas.
• Where the unit is in an apartment block, the building administrator must be notified once the licence is issued.

Long and short private residential leases registered with the Housing Authority are a separate regime and do not cover tourist short-lets.

Yes. You need a short-let licence from the Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) before advertising or accepting guests. Applications are filed with the MTA Licensing Department and must include operator details, proof of valid development permission (or a Pre-1968 Compliance Certificate), an architect's certification that the premises match the approved plans and are fit for habitation, valid insurance (extending to common parts where relevant) and a waste management plan.

Once licensed, you must display a notice outside the property showing the licence number and a 24-hour contact, and include the licence number in every listing.

Official source: Malta Tourism Authority, Short-Let Rented Accommodation.

The Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) acts as a regulatory and support organization for short-term rental operators, providing resources, guidance, and support for compliance. There is also the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association (MHRA), which, while primarily representing hotels, also advocates for standards in the wider accommodation industry, including short-term rentals. These associations offer resources, updates, and networking opportunities to help owners stay compliant and informed.