SIM cards and eSIMs for visitors to Malta

Whether you need a local SIM in Malta depends mostly on where your current phone plan is from and how long you are staying. This guide covers the options for holidays, study trips and short stays.

EU visitors

Roam at home rates

within your plan's fair-use limit

Travel eSIM from

€4.50

Airalo, one-off · 1 GB / 3 days

Local unlimited plan from

€12.45/mo

Melita, for longer stays

Visiting from the EU

Under EU “roam like at home” rules, a plan from another EU or EEA country works in Malta at the same price as at home. Heavy data users should check their plan’s fair-use limit for roaming, which can be lower than the domestic allowance. If you are staying for months, a local plan will usually be cheaper.

Visiting from outside the EU

Roaming charges from outside the EU can be high, so most visitors choose one of two options:

• A travel eSIM, bought online and installed before you travel. It works as soon as you land and connects through a local network. Best for short trips.
• A local prepaid SIM from GO, Melita or Epic, bought at the airport or in a shop in town. Usually more data for the money on longer visits. Bring your passport.

Using a travel eSIM

1. 1Check that your phone supports eSIM and is not locked to your home network.
2. 2Buy the data pack and install the eSIM before you travel, while you have Wi-Fi.
3. 3Keep your home SIM active for calls and texts if you need them, and switch mobile data to the eSIM.
4. 4Turn on data roaming for the eSIM line when you arrive, if your phone asks.

Staying longer

For stays of more than a few weeks, a local plan is usually much cheaper per gigabyte. Compare prepaid and postpaid plans, or see choosing a SIM card if you are moving to Malta. Students and people on short lets may also want internet without a contract.