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In Germany we say"Bares ist wahres." This means cash is genuine money. This wisdom is still ruling Malta too. However, as a tourist destination Malta is not off the beaten track. Credit cards are accepted in many businesses, but often reluctantly and only for amounts exceeding € 100.00. In this case Malta is by no means different from the rest of the world. One thing people have to know when filling up your car you need cash. The rental car you can book easily with your credit card. The most of the food shops accept credit cards. Shops owners know the difference between local and foreign credit cards. For local one you need a pin and for the foreign one a signature. However, almost nobody will reject cash due to crime and robbery. If the amount is quite high they will just say give me a cheque or transfer the money to my bank account. It is so nice to live in a country where people trust each other instead of being suspecious. Is that the same in Mauritius?

In Malta to pay your rent, most landlords prefer cash, even my landlord where it is all above aboard.
I regular use my uk credit card in restaurants and shops, nearly always under €50, I always do via pin, in the 6 years I have lived here I do not think I have ever had to sign. Some smaller shops and cafes do not have card machines. The main thing is lack of using direct debit but it is getting better. However cash is still king here 

You can use contactless cards in a lot of places now but I still tend to use cash like many do over here.

Hello everyone,

payment methods in Malta...

Cash is the most welcome. The majority of Gas stations, Little shops only accept "cash".

Credit and Debit cards are welcome too but only Visa and Mastercard. Some shops will accept those only for amount over 5 euro though.

Forget about Amex... none will accept an American Express but the Luxury Hotel/facilities.

Again, NO AMEX in Malta. You've been warned

Cheers

I've set up direct debits for all my utilities (Arm, Melita) . However they will accept both Visa and Mastercard.

All the small local shops and cafes will only accept cash with the exception of my local chemist. That said, Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted at bigger supermarkets and restaurants. I pay my grocery bill at Lidl and Scott with my Visa card.

Quite a few shops in Valletta accept Amex and the more expensive restaurants also accept Amex. I still use Amex for on line purchases of flights and car hire as this gives me additional insurance coverage.

Tradesmen still want cash although they will accept a cheque is pushed.

Not much change really from my spending pattern in the UK.

One thing to keep in mind is that ATM's operated by APS bank and BNF bank do not accept Mastercard only Visa.