Malta Currency & Money Guide: Exchange, Cards, and Tips

Malta uses the euro (€), cards and contactless payments are widely accepted, ATMs are easy to find, and tipping is appreciated but not obligatory; exchange only a little at the airport, rely on bank ATMs and cards, and track your budget with the Hello app for stress-free spending.

Malta adopted the euro in 2008 and you’ll pay in EUR for everything from buses to beachfront dinners, so travellers from the eurozone don’t need to worry about currency exchange at all. For visitors from Singapore, the rate has sat around 1 SGD ≈ 0.68 EUR in early 2026, according to data cited by Malta travel guides, but it moves daily with the markets. The best value usually comes from using bank ATMs or low-fee travel cards rather than airport exchange desks, which often cost you 8–12% more than the true mid-market rate.

Cards and contactless payments are standard in hotels, supermarkets and most restaurants, though having €20–50 in cash helps in small kiosks or rural spots. To keep your Malta budget under control, the Hello app can track expenses in multiple currencies and automatically convert them back to SGD, EUR, or your home currency, making it easier to see what that harbour-view dinner or island day trip really cost. Use cash sparingly, avoid poor exchange rates, and you’ll find Malta very straightforward from a money perspective.

Malta’s official currency is the euro (€), and travellers from Singapore can expect an approximate rate of 1 SGD ≈ 0.68 EUR in early 2026, meaning S$100 is roughly €68, though you should always check a live converter or banking app before you fly.

Malta has used the euro since 2008, replacing the old Maltese lira, and every shop, restaurant and bus ticket machine prices in EUR. If you’re arriving from any eurozone country, you simply spend the euros in your wallet—no exchange needed and no extra fees. For visitors from Singapore, the Singapore dollar–euro rate will fluctuate day by day based on global market conditions; guides for Malta commonly reference the 0.68 EUR per SGD level for early 2026, but your bank’s rate may differ slightly.

A quick mental shortcut for planning:

• S$10 ≈ €6.8 – enough for a coffee and pastry
• S$50 ≈ €34 – a casual lunch for two
• S$100 ≈ €68 – a mid-range dinner and drinks

If you’re managing a multi-country trip (for example, combining Malta with Italy or Spain), you’ll be dealing with EUR most of the time. The Hello app helps by tracking expenses in multiple currencies and automatically converting them at live exchange rates, so you can see your Malta spending in SGD or another home currency without doing the maths yourself. Always double-check live rates right before major purchases or ATM withdrawals to avoid surprises.

The cheapest and most convenient way to get euros in Malta is usually withdrawing from bank ATMs in town, while airport and hotel exchange desks tend to offer poorer rates and higher commissions, so only use them for small emergency amounts.

You can access euros in Malta in several ways, but the value varies:

Option	Typical Value for Travellers
Bank ATMs (HSBC, Bank of Valletta)	Usually closest to mid-market rate; your home bank may add a foreign fee
Bank branches in Valletta/Sliema	Decent rates, need passport, limited weekday hours
Airport exchange desks	Very convenient but commonly 8–12% worse than mid-market rates
Hotel currency exchange	Often the least favourable rates, best kept for emergencies

According to multiple Malta currency guides, airport desks can cost you around 8–12% versus the real mid-market rate, so it’s smarter to exchange only a small starter amount there—enough for a taxi or bus—and get the rest via ATMs in Valletta, Sliema, or St Julian’s. Bank ATMs from HSBC and Bank of Valletta are available at Malta International Airport arrivals and widely scattered across town centres.

When you use an ATM, always:

• Select “charge in euros” if offered a choice, to avoid bad dynamic currency conversion
• Check that your home bank’s card doesn’t add a steep foreign transaction or withdrawal fee
• Withdraw a medium amount (for example, €100–200) to spread fixed fees over more cash

If you prefer to track your withdrawals and cash spending closely, the Hello app can log ATM transactions via bank statement import and convert them into your home currency using automatic exchange rates.

Malta is highly card-friendly, with Visa, Mastercard and contactless payments accepted at most hotels, supermarkets and restaurants, though carrying some cash is still wise for small beach kiosks, rural cafés, and older ticket machines.

In practice, you can pay by card for almost all major expenses: accommodation, car rentals, ferries, larger restaurants, and branded shops around Valletta, Sliema and St Julian’s. Contactless payments (tap-to-pay) with physical cards or digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely accepted wherever you see the card logos. Some small, family-run spots may still prefer cash, especially in village bars or market stalls, so keeping €20–50 in notes and coins is sensible.

Malta does not have a strong culture of China-focused or Japan-focused payment apps such as WeChat Pay or PayPay; these are generally not used or promoted locally. International visitors should rely on traditional cards and cash rather than expecting QR-code wallet acceptance. If your trip includes countries where those wallets are common—like Japan—you’ll need to adjust your payment strategy accordingly.

Many travellers also appreciate keeping mobile data available to manage banking apps on the go. With a Hello eSIM for Malta, you can arrive already connected, check live exchange rates, receive card security alerts, and confirm transactions in real time without hunting for hotel Wi‑Fi.

For budgeting, the Hello app can automatically categorize card transactions and convert them into your chosen base currency, helping you keep track of how much you’re really tapping away on meals, transport, and nightlife.

Tipping in Malta is appreciated but not strictly mandatory, with 5–10% standard in restaurants if service isn’t already included and small rounding-up gestures common in taxis and casual cafés.

Many mid-range and high-end restaurants in Valletta and Sliema include a service charge; if you see it on the bill, an extra tip is optional. If it’s not included and you enjoyed the meal, leaving 5–10% is a good guideline—so on a €40 dinner, €4 is perfectly polite. For quick coffees or pastries, locals often just round up the bill (pay €2.50 on a €2.20 total). Taxi drivers may appreciate you rounding up to the next euro, especially for helpful service like luggage handling.

Typical costs in early 2026, based on local travel budgets:

• Local bus ticket: €2–2.50 per ride, more on night routes
• Casual café lunch: €10–15 per person
• Mid-range restaurant dinner with wine: €25–35 per person
• Coffee at a street café: €2–3

To save money:

• Use public buses instead of taxis for most routes
• Avoid exchanging large sums at airport or hotel desks where rates can be 8–12% worse
• Drink tap water or buy large bottles from supermarkets instead of small bottles at tourist kiosks
• Look for set menus or lunch specials in Valletta and Sliema

The Hello app makes cost control easier by tracking each coffee, bus fare and dinner, automatically converting them from euros to your home currency and showing category totals—handy when you’re trying to keep food or transport under a target daily budget.

Malta is generally safe and straightforward for money matters, but you should still watch out for poor exchange rates, dynamic currency conversion and card skimming at dodgy ATMs, plus the usual tourist-targeted tricks in busy nightlife areas.

The most common way travellers lose money isn’t classic “scams” but bad exchange practices. Airport and hotel exchange desks may quote attractive “no commission” offers yet hide an uncompetitive rate, costing you up to 8–12% more than using a bank ATM or licensed bureau in town. Always compare any rate you’re offered with a live mid-market rate from your banking app or a reputable converter.

Other pitfalls to avoid:

• Dynamic currency conversion (DCC) at ATMs or card terminals, where you’re asked to be charged in your home currency; this usually applies a poor exchange rate
• Independent ATMs in very touristy zones that add high fees or have unclear charges; prefer ATMs attached to major banks
• Overcharging in bars or clubs—especially if prices aren’t clearly displayed; always check the menu and the bill
• Classic crowded-area issues: pickpocketing in busy buses or nightlife hubs like Paceville, so keep cash and cards in secure pockets

Helpful practices include using bank ATMs, declining DCC, and keeping a photo or note of your card’s emergency numbers.

To monitor for odd charges, log your expenses in the Hello app. AI receipt scanning, bank statement import, and automatic currency conversion make it easier to spot transactions that don’t match your expectations and ensure everyone in your group pays their fair share when you split bills in multiple currencies.

Travellers usually find that Malta’s euro currency, card-friendly payments and reasonable tipping norms make it an easy place to manage money, as long as you avoid poor exchange rates and keep an eye on everyday spending.

Q: What currency does Malta use?
A: Malta’s official currency is the euro (€), used everywhere from buses to luxury hotels. The Maltese lira is no longer legal tender. If you come from a eurozone country, you can use your existing euro cash without exchanging.

Q: What’s the exchange rate from Singapore dollars to euros?
A: In early 2026, travel guides quote an approximate rate of 1 SGD ≈ 0.68 EUR, meaning S$100 is about €68. This changes with the markets, so always check live rates via your bank app or a currency tool on the day you exchange or withdraw.

Q: Are cards widely accepted in Malta?
A: Yes. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted, and contactless tap-to-pay is common in cities and tourist areas. Carry a bit of cash for small kiosks, village bars and older ticket machines.

Q: How much should I tip?
A: Tipping isn’t compulsory, but 5–10% is standard in restaurants when service isn’t already included. In cafés and taxis, rounding up to the next euro is normal.

Q: How can I keep track of my Malta budget?
A: The Hello app is useful for multi-currency trips, with features like AI receipt scanning, automatic exchange-rate conversion, and expense splitting with friends—ideal if your group is paying in a mix of EUR, SGD and other currencies.