Eco Contribution Malta: What Short-Let Hosts Need to Know
What Is the Eco Contribution?
The eco contribution is a mandatory environmental tax charged per guest per night on all tourist accommodation in Malta, including short-let properties on Airbnb, Booking.com, and other platforms.
It was introduced to fund environmental sustainability initiatives across the Maltese islands. Every licensed accommodation provider must collect it from guests and remit it to the Malta Tourism Authority.
Current Rates
The eco contribution rate has increased over time:
- Original rate (2016): €0.50 per guest per night
- Current rate: €2.00 per guest per night (capped at a maximum per stay)
The rate applies to every guest aged 18 and over. Children under 18 are exempt. There is a per-stay cap — check the latest MTA guidelines for the current maximum.
Who Collects It?
- Airbnb: Collects and remits the eco contribution automatically on your behalf. You do not need to do anything
- Booking.com: May collect it depending on your setup. Check your property settings
- Direct bookings: You must collect the eco contribution from guests yourself and remit it to the MTA
- Other platforms: Check whether the platform handles collection or if you need to manage it
If you are unsure whether your platform handles it, ask. Non-compliance carries fines.
Impact on Your Pricing
The eco contribution is a cost that guests pay, but it affects how they perceive your pricing:
- On platforms that add it separately, guests see it as an extra fee at checkout. This can increase abandonment
- Some hosts absorb the eco contribution into their nightly rate to show a cleaner price. This is a pricing strategy decision, not a compliance requirement
- For a 2-guest, 5-night stay, the eco contribution adds €20 to the total cost
Compliance Checklist
- Ensure your MTA licence is active and up to date
- Verify your platform collects the eco contribution (or collect it yourself)
- Keep records of all eco contributions collected and remitted
- Include the eco contribution in your financial reporting
- Update your listing description to mention the eco contribution if your platform does not display it automatically
The eco contribution is one of several compliance requirements for Malta short-lets. For the cleaning and property standards side, read our MTA cleaning standards guide.