Renting a Car in Malta: Costs, Insurance and Driving Tips

Renting a car can make beaches, rural areas and Gozo easier to explore, but the cheapest headline price is rarely enough to compare offers properly. For current official information, see Car Rental Consumer Guide.

Check the total price, insurance excess, deposit, fuel policy and collection conditions before paying. Verify the latest details with Renting a Car or Bike.

What affects the cost?

Rental prices change by season, vehicle category, location and booking terms. The final cost may include:

• Airport or out-of-hours collection fees
• An additional-driver charge
• A young-driver or senior-driver surcharge
• Child seats or other equipment
• An automatic-transmission premium
• Optional excess reduction
• Fuel or charging costs
• Cross-island or ferry conditions
• Cleaning, late-return or administration charges

Compare the same vehicle class and protection level. A low daily rate with a large deposit and excess may be worse value than a more inclusive offer.

There is no honest Malta-wide daily price: the same small car can change sharply by month, booking lead time, transmission, driver age and insurance package. Compare the final payable total for the same dates, then separately record the refundable card hold and your maximum damage exposure.

A real cost example, not a universal tariff

Enterprise's Malta Airport terms checked on 9 August 2026 illustrate the amounts hidden behind a headline rate:

• Additional driver: €12 per day, capped at €144
• Young driver aged 21-24: €18 per day
• Security deposit: €600 for Mini, Economy and Compact categories; €750 for larger listed categories
• Damage/theft excess with the stated waiver: €1,200 to €2,000, depending on vehicle category
• Missing fuel: €2 per litre plus a €35 administration fee

Those figures belong to one operator and are not a recommended market price. Use them to understand the scale of the questions to ask every company. Before booking, write down five separate figures: rental total, non-refundable extras, deposit hold, damage excess and fuel/late-return charges.

Driving licence and age requirements

Transport Malta's licence rules determine whether you may drive, while each rental company sets its own minimum age and how long you must have held the licence.

Send the operator the issuing country, licence category and date first obtained before booking. Ask whether an International Driving Permit or official translation is needed.

Our driving licences in Malta guide explains the national rules for visitors and residents.

Understand the insurance

Do not treat “fully insured” as a complete explanation. Ask for the contractual answer to these questions:

• What is the damage excess?
• What is the theft excess?
• Are tyres, wheels, glass, mirrors, roof and underbody covered?
• Is damage on narrow roads or unpaved access excluded?
• What must you do after an accident?
• Does the policy cover an additional driver?
• Will you pay the rental company first and reclaim from a separate insurer?

The European Consumer Centre Malta warns that third-party excess insurance may still require the renter to pay the rental company and claim reimbursement later.

Deposit and payment card

A company may block a substantial deposit on the main driver's card. Confirm:

• The exact amount
• Whether a credit card is mandatory
• Which card networks are accepted
• Whether the card must be in the main driver's name
• When the pre-authorisation is released

Do not rely on an estimated deposit found in an old review. Obtain the amount for your specific booking in writing.

Fuel policy

The clearest option is often full-to-full: collect with a full tank and return it full. Other policies can include prepaid fuel or paying for what is used, sometimes with service charges.

Photograph the fuel gauge at collection and return. For an electric car, confirm the required charge level, cable arrangements, charging fees and return conditions. Read Driving Licence before relying on the summary here.

Inspect the car before leaving

Walk around the vehicle in good light and record:

• Every scratch, dent and wheel mark
• Windscreen and mirror damage
• Tyre condition
• Interior marks
• Fuel or battery level
• Odometer reading
• Warning lights

Make sure every defect appears on the signed condition report. Take time-stamped photographs or video, including the roof and underbody where safely visible.

Returning the vehicle

Return during staffed hours when possible and inspect the car with a representative. Ask for written confirmation of its condition and keep the fuel receipt.

For an unattended return, photograph the car in its assigned bay, all sides, mileage, fuel level and key-drop location. Keep the evidence and contract until the deposit is released.

Fines, parking and CVA

You remain responsible for legal driving and parking. The company may later charge a fine, Valletta CVA fee or administration cost permitted by the contract.

Read our parking in Malta guide and Valletta CVA guide before your first journey.

Is renting worthwhile?

A car is valuable for a multi-stop rural itinerary, but may be inconvenient if you are staying in Valletta or a busy coastal centre. Compare rental, parking and fuel against buses, ferries and taxis.

For road conditions and local rules, continue with our driving in Malta guide.

Browse all our Transport guides.