🍺 Can I drink alcohol in the street or a public place in Malta?

With conditions

Quick answer

There is no single national ban stopping you from drinking alcohol in a public place in Malta. Unlike many countries, no central law makes it an offence to hold a beer in the street. But that does not mean you can drink anywhere: many local councils — including St Julian's/Paceville, Gżira and Victoria in Gozo — have passed bye-laws banning drinking and open bottles in certain zones, with a fine of around €65 to €70. The myth: that "in Malta you can drink anywhere" or that "there is a general ban" — both wrong; it all depends on the local bye-law. Nationally, the legal age to buy or consume alcohol is 17 (not 16, as it was before October 2009), and selling alcohol between 9pm and 4am from outlets not licensed for on-premises consumption is prohibited. Where a bye-law exists, watch also for a ban on glass containers.

📋 The rules

There is no single national law banning drinking alcohol in public; it depends on the local council bye-law.
In localities such as St Julian's, Gżira and Victoria (Gozo), drinking and open bottles in the street are banned, with a fine of around €65–€70.
The legal age to buy or consume alcohol is 17, raised from 16 in October 2009.
Selling alcohol between 9pm and 4am from outlets not licensed for on-premises consumption is prohibited nationally.
Some bye-laws add a ban on glass containers in entertainment zones to reduce harm and disorder.

🔓 Exceptions

In localities with no specific bye-law, there is no direct fine for drinking in the street — but disorderly conduct remains an offence.
Licensed clubs, wedding halls and MTA-licensed catering establishments may sell alcohol after 9pm.
On-premises consumption in licensed bars and restaurants is unaffected by these retail-sale restrictions.

⚠️ Penalties & fines

Because there is no national offence, the consequences depend on where you are. Where a council has passed a bye-law — such as St Julian's, Gżira or Victoria in Gozo — you can face a fine of around €65 to €70 for drinking or holding an open bottle in the street, and in some zones a further fine for carrying a glass container. The seller carries a heavier burden: anyone selling alcohol to a person under 17, or after 9pm from an outlet not licensed for on-premises consumption, can lose their trading licence and face substantial fines under the Trading Licences Act. Disorderly conduct or public nuisance while under the influence can lead to arrest and a separate charge. A tourist or resident should always check the signs and the locality's bye-law, because the same act can be fine-free in one town and a fine in the next.

📎 Official sources

Last verified: 2026-07-12

❓ Frequently asked

Can I drink a beer on the beach or in a public garden?

Nationally there is no ban, but local councils can prohibit it through a bye-law for certain beaches or zones. It is best to check the local signs and the council bye-law, because in some localities you face a fine of around €70 while in others there is nothing.

What is the legal age to buy alcohol in Malta?

It is 17, not 16. The age was raised from 16 to 17 in October 2009 and remains 17 today; a seller who serves someone younger can face penalties and lose their licence, so many outlets ask for proof of age.

Is it true you cannot buy alcohol at night?

To a degree: selling alcohol between 9pm and 4am is prohibited from shops and kiosks not licensed for on-premises consumption. Licensed bars, restaurants and clubs can still serve you, so the restriction mainly affects buying alcohol to take away.

Can I hold a glass bottle in Paceville?

In some entertainment zones the local bye-law bans glass containers in the street to reduce injuries and damage. Where that rule applies, you can be fined for carrying a glass bottle or cup outside, even if you are not causing any trouble.

Can the police arrest me for drinking too much in the street?

Not for drinking itself where there is no bye-law, but if you behave in a disorderly way or cause a public nuisance while intoxicated, that is a separate offence. In that case the police can take action and bring you to court regardless of the local bye-laws.

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