Malta Plug Type: Do You Need a Travel Adaptor?

Malta uses British-style Type G sockets with three rectangular openings. Whether you need a travel adaptor depends on where you are travelling from. Plugs from the UK, Ireland and several other countries fit directly, while travellers from continental Europe, the United States, Canada, Australia and many other parts of the world will need an adaptor. Malta’s electricity supply is 230 V at 50 Hz, so some visitors must also check the voltage supported by their devices.

What plug type is used in Malta?

Malta uses Type G plugs and sockets, the same system found in the United Kingdom, Ireland and Cyprus. A Type G socket has three rectangular openings arranged in a triangle and usually has its own on/off switch.

The standard electricity supply in Malta is 230 V at 50 Hz. A travel adaptor changes the shape of the connection so that your plug fits the socket. It does not change the voltage supplied to your device.

Do I need a travel adaptor for Malta?

You need a travel adaptor if the plug on your device is not Type G. Travellers from the UK and Ireland do not normally need one. Most visitors from continental Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand do.

This table is a starting point rather than a substitute for checking your equipment. Plug types and electrical standards vary between countries, and imported appliances may have different specifications from the local standard. The label on the device or charger is the decisive information.

Travelling from the UK or Ireland

You do not normally need a travel adaptor. Malta uses the same Type G plug and the same nominal voltage and frequency as the UK and Ireland: 230 V at 50 Hz. British and Irish chargers and appliances should therefore plug in and work as they do at home.

You may still find a multi-port USB charger useful if your room has only one conveniently located socket, but it is not required for compatibility.

Travelling from continental Europe

Most travellers from continental Europe need an adaptor for Malta. The two round pins used by the common Type C, E and F plugs do not fit a Maltese Type G socket.

This applies to devices from countries including Germany, Poland, France, the Netherlands, Spain, Austria, Belgium, Portugal, Greece, Romania, Hungary, Czechia and most of the rest of continental Europe. Because these countries generally use a supply close to Malta’s 230 V and 50 Hz, a voltage converter is not normally required.

Some countries also use national plug types, including Type J in Switzerland, Type L in Italy and Type K in Denmark. If your device has one of these plugs rather than a two-pin Europlug, make sure the adaptor explicitly accepts it. A product advertised simply as an “EU to UK adaptor” may not support every European plug.

Travelling from the United States or Canada

Travellers from the US and Canada need an adaptor from a Type A or B plug to a Type G socket. You must also check the voltage printed on every device or power supply because Malta uses 230 V, while North American household electricity is normally around 120 V.

Most modern phone, tablet, laptop and camera chargers are dual-voltage. If the label states Input: 100–240 V, 50/60 Hz, the device can normally be used in Malta with a suitable plug adaptor and no voltage converter.

Do not connect a device marked only 110 V or 120 V to a Maltese socket through a simple adaptor. An adaptor does not reduce Malta’s voltage and the device may be damaged or become unsafe. This warning is particularly relevant to hairdryers, curling irons, straighteners, older electric shavers and other heat-producing appliances.

Travelling from Australia or New Zealand

Australian and New Zealand Type I plugs do not fit Maltese sockets, so you need a Type I to Type G adaptor. The voltage and frequency are compatible with Malta’s supply, which means a voltage converter is not normally necessary. It is still sensible to check the label, especially on older or specialised equipment.

Travelling from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh or Nepal

These countries generally use a voltage compatible with Malta, but the plugs fitted to appliances are not always the same. Depending on the country and the device, you may encounter Type C, D, G or M plugs.

A Type G plug will fit directly. For any other plug, choose an adaptor that explicitly accepts its pin layout. Do not assume that every universal adaptor accepts the larger round pins found on some Type D and M plugs.

Which other countries use Type G plugs?

Type G is also widely used in countries and territories including Cyprus, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong. If your device already has a standard Type G plug, you will usually not need an adaptor in Malta.

Using the same plug shape does not automatically guarantee voltage compatibility. Check the input range on equipment brought from any country, particularly if it was imported or purchased for a different market.

Travel adaptor and voltage converter: what is the difference?

A travel adaptor only allows one plug shape to connect to another socket type. A voltage converter changes the electrical voltage supplied to a device. Most travellers with modern electronics need only an adaptor, but equipment designed exclusively for a 110 or 120 V supply may require an appropriate converter.

Look for the input information on the device, charger or power brick:

• 100–240 V, 50/60 Hz: the device is compatible with Malta’s supply and needs only the correct plug adaptor.
• 220–240 V, 50 Hz or 220–240 V, 50/60 Hz: the device can be used in Malta with the correct adaptor.
• 110–120 V only: do not connect it using only a travel adaptor.

Frequency can also matter for certain motors, clocks and specialised equipment. If a device is designed only for 60 Hz rather than 50/60 Hz, check the manufacturer’s instructions before using it in Malta.

Will my phone, laptop or hairdryer work in Malta?

Chargers for phones, tablets, laptops, cameras, smartwatches and power banks are usually marked 100–240 V, 50/60 Hz. They should work in Malta once connected through the correct adaptor, if one is needed.

Take more care with hairdryers, straighteners, curling irons, electric shavers and other high-powered or heat-producing appliances. Check both the appliance voltage and the maximum load supported by the adaptor. A small adaptor intended mainly for charging a phone may not be suitable for an appliance drawing more than 2,000 W.

If you are travelling from a 110 or 120 V country and your hairdryer does not support 220–240 V, using the hairdryer provided by your accommodation is often easier and safer. Converters designed for high-powered heating appliances can be heavy and may still have strict power limits.

What travel adaptor should I take to Malta?

The side that goes into the wall must be a Type G plug. The input side must accept the plug fitted to your device. Travellers from continental Europe can choose a C/E/F to G adaptor, while visitors from the US or Canada need one that accepts Type A/B plugs. Australian and New Zealand travellers need compatibility with Type I.

Choose a well-made adaptor that sits firmly in the socket, is correctly fused where required and is rated for the appliance you plan to connect. If several people are travelling together, an adaptor with multiple USB-C and USB-A ports can reduce the number of separate chargers needed.

Check the combined USB output before buying. Several ports do not necessarily mean that every connected device will charge quickly at the same time. A laptop may require a separate USB-C charger offering sufficient Power Delivery output.

Can I buy a travel adaptor in Malta?

Yes. Travel adaptors are sold in electronics shops, hardware shops, supermarkets, souvenir shops and many convenience stores in Malta’s tourist areas. Some hotels may lend adaptors to guests, but you should not rely on this, particularly during the busiest months.

If you forget yours, you will probably find a replacement without much difficulty. However, the quality of the cheapest adaptors can vary. A basic model may be adequate for occasionally charging a phone, but a reputable, correctly rated adaptor is a better choice for high-powered appliances or regular use.

Important safety precautions

Stop using an adaptor if it feels loose in the socket, becomes unusually hot, develops cracks, makes strange noises or smells of burnt plastic.

Do not try to open the safety shutters in a Maltese socket by inserting an object into the upper opening. Although this shortcut is sometimes suggested, the correct and safe solution is to use a suitable Type G travel adaptor.

Quick summary

Malta uses Type G sockets and a 230 V, 50 Hz electricity supply. Travellers from the UK, Ireland and other countries using compatible Type G plugs normally need no adaptor. Visitors from continental Europe, the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and many other countries need an adaptor that matches the plug on their device.

If the label states 100–240 V, 50/60 Hz, the device normally needs only the appropriate plug adaptor. Equipment designed exclusively for 110 or 120 V must not be connected to Malta’s electricity supply using a simple adaptor. Always check the label before plugging in hairdryers, straighteners, curling irons and other high-powered appliances.