Car hire in Malta under 25: what the age rules actually say

Renting a car under 25 in Malta is possible almost everywhere, but every company treats it a little differently, and few pages spell out what a "young driver" actually pays or qualifies for. This guide covers the market norm, sourced, and what our own records do and don't confirm about specific companies.

The market norm — not a company-specific figure

Malta rental-information sites describe the following as typical practice across the market:

• Minimum age: usually 21, though some companies restrict larger or premium vehicle classes to renters aged 23–25.
• Young-driver surcharge: typically applies between ages 21 and 24, on top of the standard rate.
• Licence held: generally a minimum of 1–2 years.
• Upper age limits: caps around 70–75 are common, with renters above that sometimes needing a medical certificate or facing a senior surcharge.

"Typical" isn't a promise from any specific company. Treat every figure above as the market pattern, not a quote you can hold a desk to.

What our own roster does and doesn't confirm

We publish an operator's minimum age only when its own published terms state one, and mark it "Not published" otherwise rather than estimate. Right now, every operator in our roster shows minimum age as "Not published" — that reflects a gap in what's publicly documented on each company's own site, not evidence that the market norm above doesn't apply to them. If a specific company's age policy matters to your trip — for example First Car Rental Malta, Hertz Malta, or Percius Car Rentals — ask before you book and get the answer in writing, rather than assuming the 21-year figure applies uniformly.

Documents, regardless of age

No International Driving Permit is required for most visitors. Bring your physical driving licence, held for whatever minimum period your company requires — most ask for 1–2 years, per the market norm above.

Before you book under 25

• Ask for the exact minimum age and young-driver surcharge in writing, not verbally at the desk.
• Ask whether the surcharge is charged per day or as a flat fee for the rental.
• If you're right at a common age boundary — 21, 23, or 25 — confirm which vehicle classes are actually open to you. Policies often gate specific classes, not just age in general.
• If you're travelling with a second driver as backup, check whether every named driver individually needs to meet the age and licence requirements, not just the lead booker.

Sources

carrentalsmalta.mt — Malta car rental age rules; carrentalsmalta.mt — driving licence requirements; maltauncovered.com — Malta car hire.