Can I carry a knife in my pocket for self-protection in Malta?
It depends: keeping a knife is not an offence, but carrying it in public for protection can be. Since 2013, edged weapons were removed from the schedules of the Arms Act (Cap. 480), so you need no licence or registration to buy or keep a knife at home. But carrying a weapon in a public place without a lawful reason can lead to charges under the arms law and the Criminal Code (Cap. 9). What matters is the reason: work (chef, fisherman, builder), sport or a task normally involve a knife — self-defence does not. The myth: that any knife with a blade under 8 cm is automatically legal. That "rule" is repeated everywhere but is not a clean statutory exemption; a small knife carried reasonably is tolerated, while carrying one "just in case" is not. In 2017, in Swieqi, a man said he carried a knife and pepper spray after being attacked; the court did not believe him, found him guilty and gave him two years' imprisonment suspended for four years and a €58 fine.
📋 The rules
- Since 2013, edged weapons were removed from the schedules of the Arms Act (Cap. 480) — no licence is needed to buy or keep a knife.
- Carrying a weapon in public without a lawful reason can be an offence; the reason (work, sport, a task) is what counts, not the blade length.
- Self-defence is not treated as a good reason to carry a knife — Maltese courts have consistently rejected that excuse.
- The 8 cm rule is often quoted but is not a clean statutory exemption; a small knife carried reasonably is tolerated case by case.
- The Police can search and arrest anyone found with a knife in suspicious circumstances, and the burden of showing a lawful reason falls on you.
🔓 Exceptions
- A knife for work or a trade (chef, fisherman, builder) may be carried in the right circumstances, such as on the way to work with the rest of your equipment.
- A knife for sport or a hobby (diving, camping, fishing) may be carried when you are genuinely going to that activity, not all day long.
- On your own property — home, shop or farm — keeping and using a knife is normally not a problem.
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Carrying a knife as a weapon in the street is not a matter of a small fine. The Swieqi case (2017) shows what it can cost: a man with no previous convictions, who said he was protecting himself, ended up with two years' imprisonment suspended for four years and a €58 fine — and a stained criminal record. In worse circumstances, arms-related charges can bring real prison time, especially if the knife is used or carried together with other prohibited items such as pepper spray. Beyond the court, an arrest and proceedings can disrupt your job, visa or travel, and the Police can confiscate the item. The biggest cost is often hidden: a violent offence on your record can follow you for years, and the "self-defence" excuse rarely keeps you out of trouble.
📎 Official sources
- Legislation Malta · Arms Act (Cap. 480) →
- Legislation Malta · Criminal Code (Cap. 9) — arms and offences →
- Malta Police Force · arms licensing and control →
❓ Frequently asked
Can I carry a pocket knife every day in Malta?
A small knife carried reasonably for everyday use is generally tolerated, but there is no absolute exemption saying any blade under a certain length is always legal. If you carry it as a weapon or "just in case," you can find yourself charged, because what matters is the reason you are carrying it.
Is the 8 cm limit actually the law in Malta?
The 8 cm length is often mentioned online as the line between legal and illegal, but it is not a clean statutory exemption that applies automatically. The law looks at the reason and the circumstances of carrying, not just the centimetres, so a short knife carried as a weapon can still be an offence.
Can I carry a knife to protect myself at night?
No — self-defence is not treated as a lawful reason to carry a knife, and Maltese courts have rejected that excuse consistently. If you feel in danger, the authorities' advice is to call the Police and report it, not to carry a weapon that can bring a serious charge.
What happens if the Police find a knife in my car?
If there is a clear and lawful reason — a work tool or fishing gear in the boot — there is usually no problem, but a hidden knife with no explanation raises suspicion. The burden of showing why you are carrying it falls on you, and in suspicious circumstances the Police can arrest you and take you to court.
Is keeping a knife at home legal?
Yes — since 2013 edged weapons were removed from the schedules of the Arms Act, so keeping and using a knife at home or at your workplace is not an offence. The line is crossed when you take it out in public as a weapon, because that is where the question of a lawful reason comes in.
🔎 Common searches
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