Every short-let property in Malta must hold a valid MTA Holiday Furnished Premises Licence before accepting a single booking. This applies regardless of the platform — Airbnb, Booking.com, or direct — and regardless of how many nights per year you rent. There are no exemptions for occasional or seasonal rentals.

What Is an MTA Holiday Furnished Premises Licence?

The MTA Holiday Furnished Premises Licence is issued by the Malta Tourism Authority and certifies that a property meets minimum standards for short-term tourist accommodation. Standards cover fire safety, electrical installation, furnishing quality, emergency signage, and habitability.

The licence is property-specific — not owner-specific or agency-specific. Each individual unit requires its own application, inspection, and fee. If you own three apartments and wish to rent all three, you need three separate licences.

Who Applies for the Licence?

The licence is held by the property owner. If a management company handles the property, the owner remains the licence holder. Eleva prepares and manages the full application as a service — owners simply provide the required documents and sign where needed.

Documents Required

The following documents are required for a standard application:

• Valid ID of the applicant (ID card or passport)
• Proof of ownership (deed of sale or title document) or a signed lease contract
• Written owner consent if the applicant is not the registered property owner
• Third-party liability insurance with a minimum coverage of €250,000
• Building permits and compliance evidence
• Perit (architect) declaration confirming the property’s structural conformity and habitability
• If applying as a company: Memorandum and Articles of Association plus a board resolution

Missing documents pause the vetting clock. Eleva coordinates with a certified Perit and prepares the full application package to avoid delays.

The Application Process Step by Step

1. Online application submitted via the MTA portal with all supporting documents.
2. Initial vetting — 5 working days: The MTA reviews documents. If anything is incomplete, the clock pauses until resolved.
3. Property inspection: An MTA inspector visits the property to assess compliance. The property must be fully furnished and ready for guests.
4. Final approval — 10 working days after a positive inspection.

Realistic total timeline: 4–6 weeks from initial submission to licence in hand, assuming documents are complete and the property passes inspection first time.

How Much Does an MTA Licence Cost?

The current MTA licence fee is approximately:

• €130 per unit for properties in Malta
• €104 per unit for properties in Gozo

These fees are paid directly to the MTA and are separate from any management company charges.

Post-Licence Obligations

Receiving your MTA licence is not the end. Licensed operators have ongoing obligations:

• Display the licence number on all listings — Airbnb, Booking.com, and every other platform. From May 2026, platforms are legally required to verify registration numbers.
• Physical notice at the property showing the MTA licence number and a 24/7 emergency contact.
• Notify the building administrator if the property is in a condominium.
• Maintain a waste collection management plan.
• VAT and fiscal receipt compliance for all rental income.
• Eco-Tax collection — €0.50 per adult per night collected from guests and remitted to authorities.

The 2026 Regulatory Changes

Legal Notice 92 of 2026 introduced the most significant overhaul of Malta’s short-let regulations in recent years:

• Booking platforms must now verify MTA licence numbers for all Malta listings and share monthly activity data with Maltese authorities.
• Unlicensed operators face 3-year disqualification from obtaining an MTA licence, plus financial penalties.
• Stricter enforcement of the physical notice requirement at properties.

How Eleva Manages Licensing for Property Owners

Eleva handles the entire MTA licence process: document preparation, Perit coordination, MTA portal submission, inspection management, and approval tracking. Ongoing compliance — licence number display, Eco-Tax remittance, and renewal management — is included in the standard service. No Eleva-managed property has ever faced a compliance action.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I rent my property while the licence application is pending?

No. You must hold a valid licence before accepting any bookings. Platforms now verify licence numbers, so unlicensed properties are at risk of removal.

Does the MTA licence need to be renewed?

Yes, the licence requires periodic renewal. Eleva manages renewal processes for all properties in its portfolio.

What if my property fails the MTA inspection?

The MTA issues a list of required remediation works. Once completed, a re-inspection is scheduled. Eleva prepares properties thoroughly before the initial inspection to minimise failure risk.