The Malta Budget 2027, presented by Finance Minister Clyde Caruana on 26 October 2026, announced changes to accommodation eco-contributions, tourism charges and ferry fares, with several measures scheduled to take effect on 1 January 2027.
Higher eco-contribution for hotels and short-let apartments
The accommodation eco-contribution will increase from the current €1.50 per person per night to:
- Hotels and other collective accommodation: €8 per person per night, capped at €64 per person per stay.
- Short-let apartments: €10 per person per night, capped at €80 per person per stay.
The contribution applies to guests aged 18 and over. Accommodation provided to students attending English-language schools will be exempt from 2027. The government estimates that the revised accommodation eco-contribution will generate approximately €182 million annually.
Increased Gozo ferry fares for non-residents
The Budget also announced higher fares for non-residents travelling between Malta and Gozo.
For the regular Gozo Channel ferry, the announced fares are:
- Adults: €11, up from €4.65.
- Children: €7, up from €1.15.
- Vehicle and driver: €22, up from €15.70.
Gozo fast-ferry tickets for non-residents will increase by €3 per trip.
These changes affect the transport costs of visitors travelling to Gozo, including those staying in holiday apartments, farmhouses and other tourist accommodation.
Other tourism charges
Additional measures announced in the Budget include:
- Comino: A €5 contribution for tourists visiting the island, with Malta residents exempt.
- Cruise passengers: A €10 eco-contribution for passengers who disembark in Malta and subsequently reboard the same cruise ship. Passengers beginning their cruise in Malta are exempt.
- Airline incentives: Revisions to incentives for airlines bringing tourists to Malta, with greater emphasis on winter and shoulder-season travel.
Property-related measures
The Budget speech also indicated that existing schemes relating to property purchases and renovations will be renewed in 2027. Further details on the individual schemes and their eligibility conditions are to be announced.
No detailed new general property-transfer duty rate or specific landlord tax concession was set out in the Budget speech coverage reviewed for this article.
The announced tourism charges and ferry fare changes are scheduled for 2027, subject to the applicable implementation arrangements and official guidance.
If you own a property in Malta or Gozo and would like to understand how the measures announced in Budget 2027 may affect your property, rental income or ongoing operating costs, we invite you to contact Casa Rooms directly. I, Cecil McCarthy am available to arrange a call to discuss the new measures and their potential implications for your property, whether you operate a short-let, long-let or are considering entering the rental market. Contact my team to arrange a convenient time to speak.
