BUSINESS HOURS REGULATIONS

BUSINESS HOURS

SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION 441.08

BUSINESS HOURS REGULATIONS

10th January, 2017

LEGAL NOTICE 6 of 2017 and 176 of 2017, as amended by Legal

Notices 176 of 2019 and 161 and 163 of 2022.

The title of these regulations is the Business Hours

Regulations.

Amended by

L.N.176 of 2017.

(Regulation 3)

Notwithstanding the business hours established in regulation 3 the following

exceptions shall apply

1. Late night shopping

The business hours of any commercial activity can be extended up to 10.00 p.m.

on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

2. Petrol Stations

The business hours for the manual retail sale of automotive fuel shall be as

follows

Mondays to Fridays

-

6.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.

Saturdays

-

6.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m.

The business hours for the retail sale of automotive fuel from automated mode

pumps are unrestricted.

For the purpose of these regulations ‘automated mode pumps’ means any pumps

from which a consumer can purchase the fuel without the necessity of being attended

by the owner of the petrol station, or by any of his employees, or by any other person

on his behalf, being present on the station.

3. Lotto Receivers

Lotto receivers may operate as designated by the Authority responsible to regulate

Lotteries and Gaming.

4. Catering Establishments

Catering establishments as defined in the Malta Travel and Tourism Services Act,

night-clubs, discotheques and other premises where dancing is held and an entrance

fee is normally charged, may be kept open on any day up to 1.00 a.m.

Provided that such establishments may remain open for business until 4.00 a.m. of

the morrow on Carnival days, Easter Saturday, Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve

Provided further these shall be subject to any restrictions or extension as may be

issued by the Minister responsible for Tourism, the Malta Tourism Authority and the

Commissioner of Police.

5. Business hours when Cruise Liners call at Harbour

All commercial premises located in Valletta may open for business up to 10.00

p.m. on any day from Monday to Saturday whenever a passenger liner is berthed on

the Valletta side of the Grand Harbour

Provided that the same business hours apply to commercial premises located in

Bormla, Birgu, Isla and Kalkara when a cruise liner is berthed on the Cottenera side

of the Grand Harbour.

6. Establishments Hiring Carnival Costumes

Commercial activities that specialise in the hiring of carnival costumes may also

open to serve customers from Thursday before Carnival to Carnival Tuesday up to

10.00 p.m.

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7. Commercial Fair Activities

In relation to any premises in respect of which a licence from the Trade Licensing

Unit has been issued for the organisation of a commercial fair or commercial

exhibition or in relation to a commercial fair or commercial exhibition requiring a

permit, in both cases selling by retail or exhibit of goods, the fair or exhibition may

open for business between 9.00 a.m. and 11.00 p.m. on any day, except on Good

Friday.

8. Car Boot Sales

Commercial activities consisting in car boot sales may only be carried out on a

Sunday or any other Public Holiday from 6.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m.

9. Special opening hours in Malta and Gozo

Commercial premises predominantly selling any of the following items may open

for business on any day of the week including Sundays and other Public Holidays

between 6.00 a.m. and 11.00 p.m. of the same day

(a) beverages, sweets and tobacco products; or

(b) fish, crustaceans and mollusks; or

(c) watches, clocks and jewellery; or

(d) souvenirs, craft-work and religious articles; or

(e) books, newspapers, stationery and office items; or

(f)

perfumery items; or

(g) swimming and diving equipment; or

(h) photographic, optical and related precision items

Provided that this shall apply only in the Tourist Localities listed hereunder and

Gozo

Birżebbuġa

Cospicua

Gżira

Marsascala

Marsaxlokk

Mdina

Mellieħa

Msida

Rabat

Senglea

Sliema

St Julian’s

St Paul’s Bay

Swieqi

Ta’ Qali Crafts Village in the locality of Attard

Ta’ Xbiex

Valletta

Vittoriosa

Wied iż-Żurrieq in the locality of Qrendi

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10. Street Hawkers

The provisions of regulation 3 and the relevant exemptions in this Schedule shall

also apply to street hawkers

Provided that street hawkers can also sell ice cream, fruit, vegetables and fish on a

Sunday and any other Public Holiday in any locality from 6.00 a.m. to 11.00 p.m.

11. Commercial Activities with Unrestricted Business Hours

The commercial activities listed below can be carried out without any restriction

on the business hours

Commercial activities

Retail sale of food, beverages and tobacco in specialised stores selling

predominantly bread, cakes, flour confectionery and sugar

confectionery

Provided that the above commercial activity shall not include the sale of

alcohol between 9 p.m. and 4 a.m.

Manufacturing activities located in industrial zones

Predominant Construction Services

Predominant Professional & Business Services

Predominant Social & Personal Services

Casino, betting and gambling, provided that such activities shall be

fully restricted on Good Friday and provided further that the business

hours during which such activities may be carried out on any other day

may be restricted by laws or regulations regulating such activities or by

directives, policies or license conditions imposed from time to time by

the Authority responsible to regulate Lotteries and Gaming

Predominant Renting of automobiles and other means of road transport

Predominant Renting of water sports equipment

Predominant Renting of air transport equipment

Predominant Renting of pleasure boats

Predominant Operators of guest houses, holiday premises, hostels and hotels

Predominant Sale from vending and other automatic machines excluding any

amusement machine or gaming device as defined under the Lotteries and

Other Games Act *

T h i s p a r a g r a p h s h a l l n o t a p p l y t o t h e s a l e o f g o o d s b y r e t a i l fr o m a n y

manufacturing premises.

In these regulations, unless the context otherwise requires

"the Act" means the Trading Licences Act;

"premises" means any shop where goods are sold or services

offered to the public.

Unless otherwise provided under the First Schedule to

these regulations, throughout the period from 8 January to 31

October, the normal business hours shall be as follows

(a)

for any commercial activity carried out from a

premises from Monday to Friday (including public

holidays with the exclusion of Good Friday) - from

00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m.;

(b) for any commercial activity carried out from a

premises on Saturday (including public holidays) -

from 4.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m.;

(c) for a commercial activity listed in the Second

Schedule and carried out from a premises on Sunday -

from 4.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m.

4. Unless otherwise provided under the First Schedule to these

regulations, throughout the period from 1st November to 7 th January

of the following year, both days included, the business hours for any

commercial activity carried out from a premises shall be Mondays to

Sundays from 4.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m.

(1) The Minister may, in certain special circumstances, by

notice in the Gazette

(a) grant an exemption to the minimum limit of business

hours during which commercial premises may remain

open to carry out commercial activities for the

customers; and

(b) approve the opening of commercial premises on

Sundays.

(2) In an event of a cultural, social or commercial nature held

in any locality, there shall be an exemption from business hours if

the event has been approved by the Commissioner of Police and the

Local Council where the event is proposed to be held

Provided that the Minister may direct that an event shall not

be held on the grounds of public safety or for public policy reasons.

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(3) The provisions of sub-regulations (1) and (2) shall be

without prejudice to any special provision made in relation to

dispensaries under the Medical and Kindred Professions Ordinance.

(4) The provisions of sub-regulations (1) and (2) shall not be

applicable to any commercial activity which is carried out in an

airport, a sea passenger terminal, a hospital, a clinic, a residential

home or from any part of a hotel.

(1) Notwithstanding the provisions of the First Schedule, the

Minister may, subject to such conditions as he may in every

particular case decide to impose, extend the business hours of any

commercial premises licensed as a catering establishment under the

Malta Travel and Tourism Services Act or licensed as a night-club,

discotheque or other premises where dancing is held and an

entrance fee is normally charged, beyond the time established as

business hours for such premises under the said Schedule.

(2) The owner or manager of any commercial premises as

mentioned above shall apply in writing to the Trade Licensing Unit

for the purpose of seeking authorisation to extend the business

hours of such commercial premises. The Trade Licensing Unit

shall, within seven working days after receiving such application,

consult with the Malta Tourism Authority in order to ascertain

whether all relevant licence fees in respect of such commercial

premises have been paid and shall also request the approval of the

Commissioner of Police for the extension of the business hours of

the commercial premises. Within sixty days after receiving such

notification from the Trade Licensing Unit, the Malta Tourism

Authority and the Commissioner of Police shall send a written

reply.

(3) In the event that, within the above-mentioned period of

sixty days, the Malta Tourism Authority indicates that the licence

fees in respect of the commercial premises have not been paid or in

the event that the Commissioner of Police, within the said period,

objects to the extension of business hours, such extension shall not

be granted.

(4) If, after the said period of sixty days, the Trade Licensing

Unit receives no reply from the Malta Tourism Authority or from

the Commissioner of Police it shall be deemed that the Malta

Tourism Authority or the Commissioner of Police, as the case may

be, is in agreement with the granting of the authorisation for the

extension of business hours

Provided that

(a) the playing of music by whatever means inside

commercial premises when they are not licensed to

play amplified music shall stop by 11.00 p.m. and

between 1.00 p.m and 4.00 p.m.;

(b) amplified music may only be played after 11.00 p.m.

and between 1.00 p.m and 4.00 p.m. in commercial

premises that are covered by a licence for the playing

therein of amplified music;

(c) subject to the provisions of paragraph (b), the playing

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of music by whatever means, in commercial premises

licensed to play amplified music, in such a manner that

the music can be heard outdoors, is prohibited after

00 p.m. and between 1.00 p.m and 4.00 p.m. in all

areas and after midnight in the localities of Bugibba,

Qawra and St. Paul’s Bay, with the exception of the

designated areas in Bugibba, Qawra and Paceville,as

provided in the Third Schedule. where no music can be

heard outdoors after 1.00 a.m.;

(ca)

The playing of music in a commercial premises as

authorised under paragraph (a) or (b) shall,

notwithstanding the time limitations provided in the said

paragraphs, be allowed until 1:00 a.m. in commercial

premises situated in the areas of Valletta designated in the

Third Schedule. Commercial premises which are situated

in the areas of Valletta designated in the Third Schedule

shall be allowed to extend their business hours until 2.00

a.m. or any such time as authorised by any other valid

permit issued in favour of any such commercial premises.

When music is played in a commercial premises to which

this paragraph applies after 11.00 p.m., the volume of

such music shall be kept at a moderate level. No music

shall be played outdoors after 1.00 a.m.;

(d) the operation of commercial premises licensed to open

for business from 1.00 a.m. to 4.00 a.m. shall not,

during those hours, cause annoyance or inconvenience

to neighbours by any sound capable of being heard

from outside the premises or by anything done inside

or outside the premises.

(5) In the event of failure to comply with the provisions of the

proviso to sub-regulation (4), any member of the Police force not

below the rank of Sergeant shall have the power to order the

immediate remedy of any such breach to his satisfaction and any

member of the Police force not below the rank of Inspector may

order the immediate closure of the premises for a period of twelve

hours as he shall deem appropriate in the circumstances. In the case

where the person having effective control of the commercial

premises fails to comply with any order given to him in terms of

this paragraph, the Commissioner of Police, shall have the power to

issue an order in writing for the immediate closure of the premises

and the cessation of any commercial activity from the said premises

for a period of not more than fifteen days. Subject to the

concurrence of the Minister responsible for Commerce, the said

commercial premises may be closed for a subsequent period not

exceeding thirty days independently of any other punishment to

which the offender may become or may have become liable

according to law.

(6) In the case of persistent breaches the Commissioner of

Police shall inform the Trade Licensing Unit of the provisions of

the proviso to sub-regulation (4) which have been encountered in

any licensed commercial premises; the Trade Licensing Unit may,

after granting the licensee of the said premises an opportunity to

make submissions, revoke the licence for the extension of business

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hours from 1.00 a.m. to 4.00 a.m. in respect of such commercial

premises.

(7)

(a) No amplified music, by live bands or by whatever

means, shall be played in the course of or as part of a

commercial activity between 4.00 a.m. and 9.00 a.m.

(b) Subject to the provisions of paragraph (c), any

commercial activity held in the open-air, in the

precints of any commercial premises, shall come to an

end by no later than 1.00 a.m.

(c) if the premises where an open-air commercial activity

is held are part of any premises licensed as a catering

establishment under the Malta Travel and Tourism

Services Act, or licensed as a night-club, discotheque

or other premises where dancing is held and an

entrance fee is charged, and the premises are situated

at a distance of more than 500 metres from any

inhabited area, the licensee may apply to the Minister

for an extension of the time limit laid down in this

regulation subject to such conditions as the Minister

may deem appropriate and provided that such limit

shall in no case be extended beyond 4.00 a.m.

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Business Hours for Open-Air Markets

12.1 Commercial activities in open-air markets may be carried out by market

hawkers on the day or days and during the business hours as follows

*Repealed by Act XVI of 2018.

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OPEN-AIR MARKETS

Days of

Locality

Business Hours

Trading

Birżebbuġa

Triq Żarenu Dalli

Thursday

6.30a.m. to 1.00p.m.

Birkirkara

Triq Tumas Fenech, Triq il-

Wednesday

6.30a.m. to 1.00p.m.

and Friday

Ħerba, Triq is-Santwarju,

Triq Mike Pulis, Triq Nazju

Falzon

Bormla/

Triq il-Ġubilew tal-Fidda,

Tuesday

6.30a.m. to 1.00p.m.

Birgu

Triq Kottonera, Triq Verdala

Floriana

Park and Ride, Flagstone

Sunday

6.30a.m. to 1.00p.m.

Wharf, Hornworks Ditch

Luqa

Triq Wilġa,

Misraħ

iż-

Monday

6.30a.m. to 1.00p.m.

Żgħażagħ

Marsaxlokk

Xatt is-Sajjieda and Triq it-

Sunday

6.30a.m. to 6.00p.m.

Torri Vendome

Marsaxlokk

Xatt is-Sajjieda

Mon day to

6.30a.m. to 5.00p.m.

Saturday

Mosta

Triq Nicolo Isuard, Triq il-

Monday

6.30a.m. to 1.00p.m.

Lunzjata (x Triq Wied is-

Sir), Pjazza 10 ta’ Settembru

Naxxar

Triq l-Għenieq, Triq Ħal-

Thursday

6.30a.m. to 1.00p.m.

Dgħejf

Paola

Triq l-Arkata

Wednesday,

6.30a.m. to 1.00p.m.

T h u r s d a y,

Friday and

Saturday

Qormi

Pjazza

tal-Granmastru,

Saturday

6.30a.m. to 1.00p.m.

Misraħ Narbona, Parti minn

Vjal De La Cruz sa Triq

Mons. P.P. Psaila

Rabat

Triq Santa Rita

Sunday

6.30a.m. to 1.00p.m.

Siġġiewi

Pjazza Santa Margerita

Friday

6.30a.m. to 1.00p.m.

Sliema

Pjazza tal-Lunzjata

Wednesday

6.30a.m. to 1.00p.m.

and Friday

Attard

Parking

Area

(Park

Sunday

8.00a.m. to 6.00p.m.

Nazzjonali Ta’ Qali)

Valletta

Triq l-Ordinanza

Mon day to

7.00a.m. to 2.00p.m.

Sunday

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Żabbar

Misraħ San Ġakbu

Saturday

6.30a.m. to 1.00p.m.

Żebbuġ

Triq Antonio Sciortino, Triq

T u e s d a y,

6.30a.m. to 1.00p.m.

Wednesday,

Loret Vela

Thursday

Friday and

Saturday

Żejtun

Pjazza

Suq,

Misraħ

Wednesday

6.30a.m. to 1.00p.m.

Indipendenza

Żurrieq

Vjal Blue Grotto, Triq Stefan

Thursday

6.30a.m. to 1.00p.m.

Zerafa,

Triq

Carmelo

Caruana

Għawdex

Victoria

-

Pjazza

Santa

Mond ay t o

6.30a.m. to 5.30p.m.

Sunday

Sabina

12.2 Subject to the following provisions of this regulation, unless otherwise

provided, market hawkers shall not put up their stall in an open-air market before

6.30 a.m. or remain in the said market after 1.00 p.m. of the same day.

12.3 In the case of the open-air market at Marsaxlokk market hawkers shall not

put up their stall before 6.30 a.m. and shall not remain in the market after 5.00 p.m.

of the same day from Monday to Sundays.

12.4 In the case of the open-air market at Ta’ Qali on a Sunday, market hawkers

shall not put up their stall before 8.00 a.m. or remain in the market after 5.00 p.m. of

the same day.

12.5 In the case of the open-air market at Victoria, Gozo, market hawkers shall

not put up their stall before 6.30 a.m. or remain in the market after 2.00 p.m. of the

same day.

12.6 In the case of the open-air market in Ordnance Street, Valletta, the following

conditions shall apply

(a) the stalls shall not be put up before 7.00 a.m. or after 8.00 a.m;

(b) the stalls shall not be dismantled before 1.15 p.m. or after 2.00 p.m., by

which time the market hawkers shall leave the market;

(c) without prejudice to the following provisions of this regulation, during

the period between the 13 and the 24 December, both dates included,

market hawkers shall not dismantle their stalls before 8.00 p.m. of the

same day

Provided that on any Sunday or other public holiday falling between such period,

market hawkers shall not dismantle their stalls before 1.15 p.m. or after 2.00 p.m.

12.7 Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this regulation, it shall be

lawful for the Police to stop the activities of market hawkers in special events and

occasions.

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Second Schedule

Added by

L.N.176 of 2017.

(Regulation 3 (1) (c))

Commercial activities which may be carried out from a premises on Sundays

between - 4.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m during the period from 8 th January to 31 st October

Type Code

Type of Licence

Retail sale in non-specialised stores with food, beverages and

tobacco predominating

Retail sale of food in specialised stores selling predominantly fruit

and vegetables

Retail sale of food in specialised stores selling predominantly meat

and meat products

Retail sale of food and beverages in specialised stores selling

predominantly alcoholic and other beverages

Retail sale of food and beverages in specialised stores selling

predominantly other food products not elsewhere classified

Retail sale in non-specialised stores in which food products should

not be predominant

Retail sale in specialised store selling predominantly tobacco

products

Retail sale in specialised store selling predominately medical and

orthopaedic goods

Retail sale in specialised store selling predominantly cosmetics and

toiletries

Retail sale in specialised store selling predominantly textiles

Retail sale in specialised store selling predominantly clothing

Retail sale in specialised store selling predominantly footwear and

leather goods

Retail sale in specialised store selling predominantly furniture,

lighting equipment and other household articles

Retail sale in specialised store selling predominantly electrical

household appliances and radio and television goods

Retail sale in specialised store selling predominantly hardware,

paints and glass

Other retail sale in specialised stores selling predominantly office

equipment, computers and non-customised software

Other retail sale in specialised stores selling predominantly

telecommunications equipment

Other retail sale in specialised stores selling predominantly

wallpaper and floor coverings

Other retail sale in specialised stores selling predominantly carpets

and rugs

Other retail sale and maintenance in specialised stores selling

predominantly sports goods, fishing gear, camping goods, boats and

bicycles

Other retail sale in specialised stores selling predominantly games

and toys

Other retail sale in specialised stores selling predominantly stamps

and coins

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52.48.13

Other retail sale in specialised stores selling predominantly non-

food products not elsewhere classified

52.5

Retail sale of second hand goods in stores

52.52

Catering; supply of prepared food

Third Schedule

Added by

L.N.176 of 2019.

(Regulation 6)

Amended by

L.N. 161 of 2022;

L.N. 163 of 2022.

Designated areas in Bugibba, Qawra, Paceville and Valletta where no music can be heard

outdoors after 1.00 a.m.

Buġibba and Qawra

Dawret il-Gżejjer

Iż-Żona Pedonali - Triq il-Bajja,

Parti minn Triq San Antnin,

Parti minn Triq il-Pijunieri sa Triq il-Ħallel

Parti minn Triq il-Ħallel sa Triq iċ-Ċerna

Triq it-Trunċiera

Parti minn Triq il-Qawra minn Triq l-Istamar sa Triq it-Trunċiera

Paceville

Trejqet Dragunara

Triq il-Ġdida fi Triq Santu Wistin

Valletta

Archbishop Street

Merchants Street

Old Bakery Street

Old Theatre Street

Republic Street

South Street

St. Lucia Street

St. Ursola Street

Strait Street

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