Trade Flows
In 2025, bilateral trade between Italy and Malta recorded further strengthening: Italian exports to the archipelago reached €2.39 billion, while imports amounted to €263 million.
The trade balance, strongly positive for Italy (€2.127 billion), confirms the solidity of economic relations between the two countries and the central role of Made in Italy products in the Maltese market.
Main Exported Products
In 2025, the transport equipment sector constituted the primary category of Italian exports to the Republic of Malta. According to ISTAT data, this macro-category reached a total value of €411,978,000. Within this aggregate, the “Ships and boats” segment emerges as the predominant component, contributing alone €387,780,000.
The energy sector, with over €480.2 million, remains one of the leading components of Italian exports to Malta and reflects the strong interdependence between the two countries, further reinforced by the project of a new interconnector with Sicily, scheduled to become operational in 2027.
The “Home System” sector, which includes furniture, furnishings, paper products, and other manufactures, generates a total aggregate of €162.8 million.
The Italian agri-food sector (agricultural products and processed goods) recorded exports to Malta amounting to €445 million. Malta confirms itself as one of the most receptive markets worldwide for Italian food products in per capita terms.
Within the chemical and pharmaceutical grouping, the supply of “basic chemicals, fertilizers, plastics, and rubber in primary forms” represents the main segment, with €41,697,000, confirming Italy’s role as a primary supplier for Maltese manufacturing firms requiring chemical intermediates.
In the electronics sector, “electronic components and boards” represent the main driver of growth, recording a significant increase: from €58.6 million in 2024 to €87.6 million in 2025. This rise, approximately 50%, highlights the strengthening of Italian supplies to Malta’s ICT ecosystem.
Main Imported Products
On the side of Maltese imports into Italy, the sector of “basic chemicals, fertilizers and nitrogen compounds, plastics, and rubber” stands out, reaching a value close to €55 million and marking a significant increase compared to €17 million recorded in 2024. The sector of “medicinal products and pharmaceutical preparations” is also noteworthy, amounting to approximately €51 million. Similarly, products derived from petroleum refining show substantial growth, rising from €16 million in 2024 to €46 million in 2025.
Among other relevant sectors are “other special-purpose machinery,” with a value of €23 million, “other textile products,” approaching €16 million, and “medical and dental instruments and supplies”, which reach €19 million.
Key Economic Indicators
According to estimates by the MAECI Economic Observatory, Malta recorded GDP growth of 4% in 2025, exceeding forecasts of +3.1%. The budget deficit was contained at 2.20% of GDP, while public debt remained below 47% of GDP. The unemployment rate stood at 3.5% in the first quarter of 2026. In May 2026, the annual inflation rate (HICP) reached 2.1%.
Trade (millions of euros)
Year Exports Imports Balance
| 2022
2023 |
2.095
2.096 |
321
289 |
1.774
1.807 |
| 2024 | 2.410 | 319 | 2.090 |
| 2025 | 2.391 | 327 | 2.064 |
Source: Informercatiesteri
Tourism and connections with Italy
In 2025, Malta welcomed 4 million tourists: Italians remain the second-largest source market, with 616,000 visitors (+13% compared to 2024), after the British and ahead of Germans and French.
Air and Maritime Connections with Italy
Direct air connections between Malta and Italy are operated by Air Malta, ITA Airways, Ryanair, EasyJet, and other carriers, with regular flights to and from Rome, Milan, Naples, Bologna, Turin, Venice, Bari, Catania, Palermo, and Pisa.
Maritime connections include:
- the Virtu Ferries catamaran on the Pozzallo–Malta route
- the Ragusa Xpress catamaran on the Marina di Ragusa–Malta route
Maltese Tourism to Italy
Throughout 2025, Maltese residents travelling abroad reached a total of 929,645, marking an increase of 10.2%. In this context, Italy clearly consolidates its position as the leading destination, without rivals. Overall, 332,879 Maltese travellers chose Italy, representing a further 7.9% increase compared to the previous year.
The recorded volumes are significantly higher than those of other major destinations, far exceeding markets such as the United Kingdom (91,633 outbound tourists), Spain (68,804), and France (38,869).
In the first quarter of 2026 as well, Italy remains the most popular destination, with a share of 31.7%.
Tax System
Malta’s tax regime continues to represent a key attraction for foreign investors, thanks to a favourable corporate taxation framework. The Maltese authorities confirm full compliance with EU and OECD standards, while maintaining national fiscal sovereignty.