Crime in Malta is regulated primarily by the Criminal Code (Cap. 9) and related legislation, including the Police Act (Cap. 164) and the Victims of Crime Act (Cap. 539). [1] [2] [3] In recent years, Malta has recorded comparatively low levels of violent crime by EU standards, with two intentional homicides registered in 2023 according to Eurostat. [4] The World Justice Project’s 2024 Rule of Law Index ranked Malta 30th of 142 jurisdictions overall. [5]
Criminal offences and procedure are codified in the Criminal Code (Cap. 9), complemented by special legislation (e.g. the Proceeds of Crime Act (Cap. 621) and sectoral laws). [6] [7] The Malta Police Force investigates crimes under the Police Act (Cap. 164), with specialised divisions covering organised crime, drugs, cybercrime and financial crime. [8] [9] Victims’ rights and support are provided by Cap. 539 and related services delivered by police and social agencies. [10] [11]
In the World Justice Project’s 2024 index, Malta placed 30th globally (of 142) on overall rule of law performance. [12]
Independent analysis by the CrimeMalta Observatory reported 16,662 crimes in 2024 (≈30 per 1,000 population), a 1% decrease compared with 2023, with a homicide rate of 0.7 per 100,000 and a 100% clearance rate for homicides reported since 2018. [13] [14] Eurostat recorded two intentional homicides in Malta in 2023, the lowest absolute count among EU member states that year. [15]
Malta’s Gender-Based Violence and Domestic Violence Act (Cap. 581) defines and criminalises various forms of violence and sets protection measures. [16] The NSO reported that in 2023, 3,589 individuals reported experiencing domestic violence or used related services; 75.4% were female. The Malta Police Force received 2,244 reports that year. [17] [18]
In the Trafficking in Persons Report 2024, Malta was downgraded to the Tier 2 Watch List, with recommendations to increase proactive investigations and victim identification, among others. [19]
The Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit (FIAU) is Malta’s national FIU, responsible for intelligence analysis and AML/CFT supervision. [20] In June 2022, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) announced that Malta was removed from its list of jurisdictions under increased monitoring ("grey list") after completing its action plan; Malta remains engaged with MONEYVAL. [21] Asset tracing and confiscation are governed by the Proceeds of Crime Act (Cap. 621), which established the Asset Recovery Bureau and provides for non-conviction-based confiscation in certain cases. [22] [23]
On 29 April 2025, the Court of Justice of the European Union held in Commission v Malta (C-181/23) that Malta's investor citizenship scheme is contrary to EU law, citing the principle of sincere cooperation and the implications for EU citizenship and mutual trust among Member States. [24] [25] [26]
Cyber-enabled fraud and online offences are investigated by specialised police units; the Force highlights cybersecurity and counter-terrorism among its core focus areas. [27] Elements of serious online fraud and economic crime are handled within the Financial Crimes Investigations Department (FCID). [28]
The national prison is the Corradino Correctional Facility (CCF) at Paola. As of 31 January 2024, the World Prison Brief reported Malta's prison population rate at 119 per 100,000, with foreign prisoners comprising 51.9% of the inmate population. [29]
In July 2025, the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) published its report on Malta's 2023 periodic visit, examining treatment and conditions in CCF and immigration detention, and making recommendations concerning safeguards and regimes. [30] In January 2025, Malta's Ombudsman published an own-initiative investigation identifying systemic maladministration at CCF during 2018–2021 and making recommendations to address governance and human-rights concerns. [31] [32]
