HOLIDAY PREMISES REGULATIONS *

SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION 409.11

HOLIDAY PREMISES REGULATIONS *

31st May, 2002

LEGAL NOTICE 131 of 2002, as amended by Legal Notices 86 of 2005

and 221 of 2023.

The title of these regulations is the Holiday Premises

Regulations.

Substituted by

L.N. 86 of 2005.

Explanation to symbols used in the Schedules to these Regulations

Information components

Meaning

GUEST BEDROOM

States the title of a MAIN AREA of the

holiday premises

Bed

States the title of a SUB AREA (within the

main area of assessment: for example

"bedroom")

1. Minimum bed size: 85 x 190

Description of a standard.

cm. for single; 135 cm. x 190 cm.

for double

Standard

Comfort

Superior

Sh ows th e cl a s s if ic a t ion o f the ho li da y

premises below which are specified the

compulsory requirements relating to that

class.

• Cell with grey background indicates that

standard is compulsory.

• In this case the standard is compulsory

for all categories and shall be considered

as one of the minimum requirements for

all categories in this type of

accommodation.

•

Cell with white background means that

the facility or service does not apply.

•

Cell with a a white background followed

by grey cell indicates that the standard is

compulsory only for the upper category

("superior").

These symbols are used for all types of accommodation and category levels.

(1)

In these regulations, unless the context otherwise

requires -

"Act" means the Malta Travel and Tourism Services Act;

"farmhouse" means a holiday premises which is constructed and

finished to represent a typical Maltese farmhouse, located in an

area compatible with a farmhouse environment;

"holiday premises" has the same meaning as assigned to it in the

Act and shall include apartments, studios, villas, maisonettes,

townhouses and terraced houses and other accommodation as the

Authority may approve to fall within the said category.

(2) Words and expressions used in these regulations which are

also used in the Act shall, unless the context otherwise requires,

have the same meaning as in the Act.

Substituted by

L.N. 86 of 2005.

Holiday Premises Detailed standards

Standard

Comfort

Superior

1 GENERAL CONDITIONS

Each holiday premises shall have separate and

independent access

Each holiday premises to be clearly numbered or

named

Kitchen facility

Bedroom (separate from kitchen if not studio unit)

Minimum of one bathroom for every 6 persons

One Bedroom with adjoining en suite bathroom

All bedrooms with an en suite bathroom

Living room/area

Telephone directory

Hair dryer

Safe deposit box

Telephone for direct external call in unit

Accessible telephone facilities for direct external

calls situated within the premises/complex housing

the unit if not available in unit

Internet access port

Colour TV with adequate reception

Colour TV with adequate reception in Bedroom and

Living Room

Iron or ironing system in each holiday premises

Information on services at least in English

Fully detached premises (applicable for individual

villas)

Emergency exit sign on the back of the entrance

door if unit forms part of a block consisting of more

than one floor

Adequate emergency lighting

An inventory list of furniture, appliances, and cost

for replacement to be available

Full length mirror

Smoke detector

One fireproof ashtray

2 BEDROOM

2.1 Bed

1 Minimum bed sizes: 85 x 190 cm for single; 135 cm

x 190 cm for double (*)

2 Bed linen: 2 sheets, pillow sheet, blanket and cover

3 One pillow per person

Standard

Comfort

Superior

Additional blanket per person (applicable during

period from 1st November to 31st May)

5 Additional pillow per person

6 Duvet

(*) An exception is allowed only for "standard"

category: 85 x 180 cm / 130 x 180 cm

2.2 Furniture and Comfort

1 Wi n d o w / b a l c o n y al l o w i n g na t u r a l l i g h t a n d

ventilation into each bedroom

2 A blackout curtain (shutters or similar may be

considered as alternative to blackout curtains)

3 One dressing table, mirror and one chair or armchair

4 One bedside table in case of single beds or two

bedside tables in case of double beds

5 Bedside carpets (applicable to tiled floors) during

period from 1st November to 31st May

6 One wastepaper basket

7 Wardrobe with 5 similar clothes hanger per person

8 Heating

9 Air conditioning

10 Fan (ventilation system) if air-conditioning is not

available

11 Individually controlled bedside reading light

12 Continental electric socket or adapter

13 Adequate drawer space

14 Sheers for curtains

2.3 Additional services

1 Availability of cot on request

2.4 Cleaning and general state of bedroom

1 G o o d st a t e o f m a t t r e s s a n d m a t t r e s s s u p p o r t

unbroken, body resistant

2 Good state of pillow slip: no head stains, burns,

smears, marks or similar

3 Good state of bed sheet: spotless, no burns, smears,

marks or similar

4 Good state of bed cover: no stains, burns, smears,

marks or similar

5 Good state of walls: evidence of regular

maintenance

6 Good state of floor: evidence of regular

maintenance

7 Good state of furniture: sound construction, little or

no signs of ageing, wear and tear

8 Cleaning of furniture: evidence of thorough

cleaning

9 All lights in good functioning order

10 Emergency light in good functioning order

11 Air conditioning system to be in good operating

conditions if available

Standard

Comfort

Superior

3 BATHROOM

Bathroom walls and floor covered with impervious

material or tiled

2 Bathroom with ventilation (window or extractor)

3 General lighting to enable correct vision in all

bathroom areas

4 Continuous supply of cold and hot water for all

sanitary ware, bath and/or shower

5 Water closet with lid

6 Wash-hand basin

7 Vanity unit with double wash hand basin

8 Shower cubicle

9 Bath tub (1,40m length minimum)

10 Bath with hand shower

11 Shelving or facility for holding toiletries

12 Mirror

13 Magnifying / Shaving mirror

14 Disposal bag for sanitary towels

15 Sanitary / waste bin

16 Bath / shower mat

17 Towel rack

18 Towel ring or rail

19 Two towels per person (hands and bath)

20 Three towels per person (hands, bath and another

one)

21 Towel changed once a week

22 Towel changing: shorter term or on guest request

23 Clothes hook

24 Two drinking glasses

25 Chair or stool

26 Two toilet paper rolls (provided on arrival)

27 Wrapped soap or similar (provided on arrival)

28 Shampoo (provided on arrival)

29 Wrapped bath soap or similar (provided on arrival)

30 Shower cap

31 Box of tissues

32 One bathrobe per person

33 Heating

3.1 Cleaning and general state of bathroom

1 Cleaning of bathroom after check-out of any

customer or at least once a week

2 Good state of each sanitary facilities: no wear,

cracks and chips or similar

3 Good state of shower curtain or similar: no burns,

stain or similar

4 Good state of walls: no chipping, stains or similar

Standard

Comfort

Superior

Good state of floor: no marks, stains, evidence of

water damage

6 Good cleaning of sanitary ware: without water

stains, or similar

4 KITCHEN

Separate area from bedroom and bathroom (except

for studios)

2 All appliances running on electricity or gas

3 Vent ilation or f orced ventilati on by means of

extraction hood

4 Two fire burners

5 Oven

6 Microwave oven

7 Dishwasher

8 Kitchen refrigerator with at least 10% freezer space

as per the following minimum approximate

specifications

(a) One bedroom premises

140 ltr

140 ltr

140 ltr

(b) Two bedroom premises

140 ltr

140 ltr

230 ltr

(c) Three bedroom or more

140 ltr

230 ltr

230 ltr

9 Kitchen unit with sink and draining board

10 Table service

(a) 1 set per person (knife, fork, big & dessert

spoon, soup standard & dessert plates,

coffee cups & plates, 1 glass)

(b) Same as before but 2 sets of glass per person

(c) Same as before but 2 sets of cutlery, glasses

and standard plates

11 Kitchen utensils: one kettle, one casserole and one

frying pan

(a) Kitchen utensils: more casseroles and frying

pan

(b) Small kitchen utensils: 1 big cutting & 1

small cutting knives, 1 soup serving spoon

12 1 big spoon, 1 skimming spoon, 1 tweezers, 1

colander, 1 tea strainer

13 Bread toaster

14 Can-opener

15 Cork-screw

16 Bottle opener

17 Coffee pot and teapot

18 First Aid Box properly kitted

19 1 Fire Extinguisher

20 1 Fire Blanket

4.1 Cleaning and general state of kitchen

1 Cleaning of kitchen after check-out of any customer

or at least once a week

Standard

Comfort

Superior

Good state of walls: no flaking paint, no cracks,

patches, signs of damp or similar

Good state of floor: sound overlay, no cracks, no

wear or similar

Good state of furniture: sound construction, little or

no wear and tear

Good cleaning of furniture: evidence of thorough

cleaning

Provision of cleaning utensils in each holiday

premises

Good state of kitchen appliances: no cracks, chips

or similar

Kitchen appliances in good working order

Good state of crockery and cutlery: no wear

damage, cracks, chips or similar

Lights in good functioning order

Emergency lights in good functioning order

5 DINING/LIVING ROOM AREA

Window or balcony allowing natural light and

ventilation into room

2 One dining table

3 One coffee table

4 Chairs commensurate with the number of occupants

5 Sofa or armchairs

6 If extra beds are to be available (bed, sofa or

similar), maximum equals 2 persons

7 Heating system

8 Air conditioning system

9 Fan if air conditioning is not available

10 Sheers for curtains

5.1 Cleaning and general state of living room/living

area

1 Cleaning of living-room after check-out of any

customer

2 Good state of walls: no flaking paint, cracks,

patches, signs of damp, blistering or similar

3 Good state of floor: good underlay, no marks, stains,

no wear or similar

4 Good state of furniture: sound construction, little

signs of damage, wear and tear

5 Good cleaning of furniture: evidence of thorough

cleaning

6 All lights in good functioning order

7 Air conditioning system to be in good functioning

order if available

6 COMMON AREA

(IF APPLICABLE)

Standard

Comfort

Superior

Good state of walls: no flaking paintwork scratches,

patches or similar

2 Good state of floor: good underlay, no marks, stains,

no wear

3 Good state of ceiling: no peeling paintwork, patches

no stains

4 General lighting in good functioning order

6.1 Lifts (if applicable)

1 Lifts required to service all floors if premises

consists of more floors higher than ground, first and

second floors

2 Good state of lift: no flaking paintwork, scratches or

similar, regular maintenance

6.2 Maintenance and other services

1 Maintenance service on call

2 Doctor service on call

3 Refuse collection service

4 Maid service available on a weekly basis

5 Additional maid service provided on request

6 Baby sitting service (on request)

7 Pool cleaning service (if applicable)

7 POOL AREA

(IF APPLICABLE)

1 Open-air swimming pool for exclusive use

2 Facilitated swimming pool access (ladders or stairs)

3 Depth marks clearly visible

4 Diving prohibition signs prominently displayed

where water is less than 1.5m

5 Life-ring' buoyancy aids complete with rope, clearly

visible and sited

6 Swimming pool with adequate lighting

7 Sun terrace (non slip tiles/material)

7.1 Terrace / pool area furniture

1 1 table or similar

2 Chairs or similar

3 Deck chairs/sun-beds

4 BBQ facilities

5 Parasol or shaded areas

7.2 Cleaning and general state of pool and pool area

1 Good state of floor

2 Good state of handrails, no sign of corrosion

3 Lighting in good functioning order

4 Good state of furniture: sound construction, little

signs of wear and tear

5 Records of cleaning and chlorine/pH testing

6 Efficient pool filtration system

Standard

Comfort

Superior

8 MISCELLANEOUS FACILITIES

Laundry lines available

Washing machine

Tumble dryer

9 FIRE SAFETY

(applicable to corridors and public areas in holiday premises

situated within an apartment block)

1 Emergency lights in good functioning order

2 Emergency exit luminous signs in corridors and

passages, stairs and exit routes

Holiday premises shall be classified, prior to being

licensed, according to the criteria established according to the

Second Schedule with regard to holiday premises and according to

the Third Schedule with regard to farmhouses.

Farmhouse Accommodation Detailed standards

1 GENERAL CONDITIONS

Each farmhouse accommodation with separate and independent

access

Each farmhouse accommodation to be clearly numbered or

named

Kitchen facility

Bedroom (separate from kitchen)

Minimum of one bathroom for every 6 persons

One Bedroom with adjoining en suite bathroom

All bedrooms with an en suite bathroom

Living room/area

Telephone directory

Hair dryer

Safe deposit box

Telephone for direct external calls

Internet access point

Colour TV with adequate reception

Colour TV with adequate reception in Bedroom and Living

Room

Semi detached premises

Adequate emergency lighting

An inventory list of furniture, appliances, and cost for

replacement

Full length mirror

Smoke detector

One fireproof ashtray

2 BEDROOM

2.1 Bed

1 Minimum bed sizes: 85 X 190 cm for single; 135 cm x 190 cm

for double

2 Bed linen: 2 sheets, pillow sheet, blanket and cover

3 One pillow per person

4 Extra blanket per person (between 1st November and 31st May,

otherwise available on request)

5 Additional pillow per person

6 Duvet

2.2 Furniture and Comfort

1 Window / balcony allowing natural light and ventilation into

each bedroom

2 A blackout curtain (shutters or similar may be considered as

alternative to blackout curtains)

One dressing table, mirror and one chair or armchair

One bedside table in case of single beds or two bedside tables in

case of double beds

5 Bedside carpets (applicable to tiled floors during period from 1st

November to 31st May)

6 One waste paper basket

7 Wardrobe with 5 similar clothes hangers per person

8 Adequate heating

9 Fan (ventilation system) if air-conditioning is not available

10 Individually controlled bedside reading light

11 Continental electric socket or adaptor

12 Adequate drawer space

13 Sheers for curtains

2.3 Additional services

1 Iron or ironing system in each farmhouse accommodation

2 Information on services at least in English

3 Availability of cot or request

2.4 Cleaning and general state of bedroom

1 Good state of mattress and mattress support: unbroken, body

resistant

2 Good state of pillow slip: no head stains, burns, smears, marks

or similar

3 Good state of bed sheet: spotless, no burns, smears, marks or

similar

4 Good state of bed cover: no stains, burns, smears, marks or

similar

5 Good state of walls: evidence of regular maintenance

6 Good state of floor: evidence of regular maintenance

7 Good state of furniture: sound construction

8 Cleaning of furniture: evidence of thorough cleaning

9 All lights in good functioning order

10 Emergency light in good functioning order

11 Air conditioning system to be in good operating conditions if

available

3 BATHROOM

Bathroom walls and floor covered with impervious material or

tiled

Bathroom with ventilation (window or extractor)

General lighting to enable correct vision in all bathroom areas

Continuous supply of cold and hot water for all sanitary ware,

bath and/or shower

Water closet with lid

Wash-hand basin

Vanity unit with wash hand basin

Shower with curtain or similar

Bath tub (1,40m length minimum)

10 Bath with hand shower

11 Shelving or facility for holding toiletries

12 Mirror

13 Magnifying/Shaving mirror

14 Disposal bag for sanitary towels

15 Sanitary/waste bin

16 Bath/shower mat

17 Towel rack

18 Towel ring or rail

19 Two towels per person (hands and bath)

20 Three towels per person (hands, bath and another one)

21 Towel changed once a week

22 Towel changing: shorter term or on guest request

23 Clothes hook

24 Two drinking glasses

25 Chair or stool

26 Two toilet paper rolls (provided on arrival)

27 Wrapped soap or similar (provided on arrival)

28 Shampoo (provided on arrival)

29 Wrapped bath soap or similar (provided on arrival)

30 Shower cap

31 Box of tissues

32 One bathrobe per person

33 Heating

3.1 Cleaning and general state of bathroom

1 Cleaning of bathroom after check-out of any customer or at least

once a week

2 Good state of each sanitary facilities: no wear, cracks and chips

or similar

3 Good state of shower curtain or similar: no burns, stain or

similar

4 Good state of walls: no chipping, stains or similar

5 Good state of floor: no marks, stains, evidence of water damage

6 Good cleaning of sanitary ware: without water stains, or similar

4 KITCHEN

Separate and enclosed area from bedroom and bathroom

Ventilation or forced ventilation by means of extraction hood

Two fire burners

Oven

Microwave oven

Dishwasher

Kitchen refrigerator with at least 10% freezer space as per the

following minimum approximate specifications

(a) One bedroom premises

(b) Two bedroom premises

(c) Three bedroom or more

Kitchen unit with sink and drain board

Table service

(a) 1 set per person (knife, fork, big & dessert spoon, soup

& standard & dessert plates, coffee cups & plates, 1

glass)

(b) Same as before but 2 sets of glass per person

(c) Same as before but 2 sets of cutlery, glasses and standard

plates

10 Kitchen utensils: one kettle, one casserole and one frying pan

(a) Kitchen utensils: more casseroles and frying pan

(b) Small kitchen utensils: 1 big cutting & 1 small cutting

knives, 1 soup serving spoon

11 1 big spoon, 1 skimming spoon, 1 colander, 1 tea strainer

12 Bread toaster

13 Can-opener

14 Cork-screw

15 Bottle opener

16 Coffee pot and teapot

17 First Aid Box properly kitted

18 1 Fire Extinguisher

19 1 Fire Blanket

4.1 Cleaning and general state of kitchen

1 Cleaning of kitchen after check-out of any customer

2 Good state of walls: evidence of regular maintenance and repair

3 Good state of floor: sound overlay, no broken tiles, evidence of

regular maintenance

4 Good state of furniture: sound construction, in good condition

5 Good cleaning of furniture: evidence of thorough cleaning

6 Provision of cleaning utensils in each farmhouse

accommodation

7 Good state of kitchen appliances: no cracks, chips or similar

8 Kitchen appliances in good working order

9 Good state of crockery and cutlery: no wear damage, cracks,

chips or similar

10 Lights in good functioning order

11 Emergency lights in good functioning order

5 DINING/LIVING ROOM

Window or balcony allowing natural light and ventilation into

room

One dining table

One coffee table

Chairs commensurate with number of occupants

Sofa or armchairs

If extra beds are to be available (bed, sofa or similar), maximum

equals 2 persons

7 Heating system

8 Fan if air-conditioning is not available

9 Sheers for curtains

10 Open or closed fire place, stove or similar

5.1 Cleaning and general state of living room

1 Cleaning of living-room after check-out of any customer

2 Good state of walls: evidence of regular maintenance and repair

3 Good state of floor: no broken tiles, evidence of regular

maintenance

4 Good state of furniture: sound construction, in good state of

repair

5 Good cleaning of furniture: evidence of thorough cleaning

6 All lights in good functioning order

7 Air conditioning system to be in good functioning order if

available

6 MAINTENANCE AND OTHER SERVICES

Maintenance service on call

Doctor service on call

Refuse collection service

Maid service available on a weekly basis

Additional maid service provided on request

Baby sitting service (on request)

Pool cleaning service (if applicable)

7 POOL AREA

Open-air swimming pool for exclusive use

Facilitated swimming pool access (ladders or stairs)

Depth marks clearly visible

Diving prohibition signs prominently displayed where water is

less than 1.5m

5 Life-ring buoyancy aids complete with rope, clearly visible and

sited

6 Swimming pool with adequate lighting

7 Sun terrace (non slip tiles/material)

7.2 Terrace / pool area furniture

1 1 table or similar

2 Chairs or similar

3 Deck chairs or sun-beds

4 BBQ facilities

5 Parasol or shaded areas

7.3 Cleaning and general state of pool and pool area

1 Good state of floor. no broken tiles, cracks or similar

2 Good state of handrails, no sign of corrosion

3 Lighting in good functioning order

4 Good state of furniture sound construction, little signs of wear

and tear

Comfort

Superior

Records of cleaning and chlorine/pH testing

Efficient pool filtration system

8 MISCELLANEOUS FACILITIES

Laundry lines available

Holiday premises shall be classified by the Authority in

three grades, "Standard" "Comfort" and "Superior" with "Standard"

denoting the lowest grade and "Superior" denoting the highest

grade.

(1)

The holiday premises category shall include

I.

apartments (to be classified as "Standard" "Comfort

and "Superior");

II.

studios (to be classified as "Standard" and "Comfort);

III. villas (to be classified as "Comfort");

IV. villas with exclusive swimming pool within premises

(to be classified as "Superior").

(2) The classification grades of these categories shall also

apply to similar accommodation properties such as townhouses,

maisonettes and terraced houses, as the Authority may deem

appropriate.

*These regulations have been repealed by Legal Notice 92 of 2026.

Farmhouses shall be classified by the Authority in two

grades, either a "comfort" grade or a "superior" grade with

"comfort" denoting the lower grade and "superior" denoting the

higher grade.

Persons licensed by the Authority to operate holiday

premises shall ensure that their properties comply with the standard

requirements as shown in the Second Schedule, with regard to

holiday premises and in the Third Schedule with regards to

farmhouses.

The Authority and, or any other Authority appointed to carry

out the duties contained in these regulations shall, on receiving a

request, communicate all the data in relation to the holiday premises to

the Local Council where the holiday premises are situated, for the

purpose of enforcement of these regulations and to ensure the best

upkeep and sanitary conditions of the locality where the holiday

premises are situated.

(1) Notwithstanding any service and amenity requirement

contained in these regulations, the Authority may, in exceptional

circumstances, for the purpose of classification of any holiday

premises, accept alternative services and amenities instead of those

set out in these regulations as the Authority may deem appropriate.

(2) The Authority may, at any time, after giving reasonable

notice, withdraw the concession of accepting alternative amenities

or services in lieu of amenities and services specified in the

classification regulations, as referred to in subregulation (1).

Any person who fails to comply with any of the provisions

of these regulations shall be guilty of an offence, and shall be liable

to the fines and penalties as indicated in articles 43 and 45 of the

Act.

Any licence issued under the Guesthouses and Holiday

Furnished Premises Regulations, 1994, repealed by these

regulations, and which is in force immediately before such repeal,

shall, subject to compliance with the provisions of the Act and to

the regulations made thereunder, continue to be in force thereafter

as if it were a licence granted under the Act and the regulations

made thereunder.