Based on the introduction and implementation of the current cultural and heritage legislation at the turn of the millenium, the most recent National Cultural Policy (NCP2021) reaffirms the need to extend the use of, and access to, digital tools in the cultural sector. This perspective was put into place through policies, strategies and campaigns across different sectors, including heritage, audiovisual services and libraries.
National funding programmes for culture, which are in the main those administered by Arts Council Malta (ACM), as well as others available through state ministries and agencies, support private efforts in the field of digitising material. One example is the case of the independent cultural organisation Magna Żmien. The latter’s international appeal, particularly towards the Maltese diaspora in the UK, US, Canada and Australia, that reflects migration patterns in the twentieth century, has also drawn on funds and support from the ministry for foreign affairs and particular diplomatic offices.
The national agency Heritage Malta has sustained its investment in digitising the national inventory of Malta’s numerous assets, that had received specific attention during the closure of sites due to restrictions experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic between 2020 and 2021.
Other important players in the digitisation process include the national agency for stimulating and sustaining business ventures, namely Malta Enterprise, the Malta Film Commission, the University of Malta, the Public Broadcasting Service, private broadcasters and audiovisual companies. In the audiovisual field, the reference point in terms of observing a legislative framework remain the regularly reviewed EU Audiovisual Media Services Directive and the Digital Services Act.
In the field of cinema, digitisation has been a priority of Maltese exhibitors for more than a decade. Film distributors favoured exclusive digital distribution as from 2013. At the time, out of 37 screens only 5 were digital and significant investment was required for the digitisation process. Government supported the process through a cinema digitisation scheme investing EUR 500 000 to support the digitisation of 25 screens in Malta and Gozo.
Private entrepreneurs have entered the cultural sector by providing support for and initiating high-tech multi-media projects, many of which are targeted at tourists, thus recouping costs and generating significant income. It is worth highlighting the Hypogeum complex, consisting of a prehistoric underground burial site, and managed by Heritage Malta, that is one of the most important sites enjoying digital technology to protect its micro-climate and measure significant changes.
The Malta Centre for Restoration operates regular conservation schemes that include the use of new technologies to combine cost-effective project management with innovative documentation techniques.
With regard to the EU Artificial Intelligence Act (Regulation (EU) 2024/1689), most provisions apply from 2 August 2026 and Malta has designated the Malta Digital Innovation Agency (MDIA) as national AI regulatory authority (Legal Notice 226/2025) and the Information and Data Protection Commissioner (IDPC) for law-enforcement regarding AI (Legal Notice 227/2025). One result was the revised national AI strategy. ACM has developed its own actions as part of its Strategy 2030, including a multiannual €100K fund dedicated to AI-related policy, research and training.
As reported by Datareportal and the National Statistics Office, as of 2026, there were 511,000 internet users in Malta. Internet penetration stood at 93.5%. Malta was home to 375,000 social media users in 2026, equating to 68.7% of the total population. A total of 778,000 cellular mobile connections were active in Malta in 2026, with this figure equivalent to 142% of the total population.
Recently government initiated the adoption of Open Source Software (OSS) to aim for cost effectiveness and reliability. Malta has transposed the necessary telecommunications rules and implemented TV digital switchover as part of Europe-wide process to improve the management of wireless frequencies. In 2026 Malta was the first country to launch a partnership with OpenAI to provide all citizens with free access to ChatGPT Plus for one year after completing an AI literacy course. This initiative aimed to empower citizens with the skills to use AI responsibly and effectively in their daily lives. The course, developed by the University of Malta, covers what AI is, its capabilities, and how to use it responsibly.
Ebooks and audiobooks are available at the national public library and all local libraries have been computerised. Users can access reading and listening material and catalogue information. These are connected to international databases, mainly through the Libby app, via the library website using library card numbers to search, book and renew borrowed books online. The National Library is digitising its own material, namely manuscripts that are out of copyright, including the extensive archives of the Order of the Knights of St John, old newspapers and sections of certain books can be accessed online.
As reported by ACM, since the 2010 and 2012 national budgets, the government introduced numerous fiscal benefits to encourage investments in digital technologies. This has been done to stimulate the indigenous growth of local game companies and attract existing professionals to shift from related industries.
In 2025, government launched the Video Gaming Gateway initiative. This offers financial assistance to innovative gaming projects. Basecamp, a dedicated incubator, set out to assist start-ups focused on video game development and esports. Furthermore, specialised visas were introduced for esports athletes, easing their ability to work and compete in Malta.
This is part of a wide range of initiatives designed to drive technological advancement, support local business growth, expand gaming and creative sectors, and encourage sustainable practices. Government announced the establishment of a dedicated unit focused on AI technology development to drive innovation through targeted funding and research in advanced systems. The introduction of a Digital Identity Wallet aims at allowing citizens and businesses to share their digital identities securely and efficiently. This app aims to streamline identity verification processes and strengthen digital interactions across sectors.
Malta positions itself as the Fintech hub. It pioneered a solid legislative framework in the Virtual Financial Assets, Blockchain and Cryptocurrency spaces, and provided a new framework for start-ups and established entities to register and certify their Distributed Ledger Technologies. Malta has garnered substantial experience regulating and overseeing the issuing of the appropriate licences since the enactment of the Virtual Financial Assets (VFA) Act (Chapter 590, Laws of Malta) in 2018.
Malta is encouraging gaming start-ups to test their products and systems in a sandbox environment. The Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) is creating its own sandbox and Fintech Hub Incubator. The University of Malta, together with the Malta Information & Technology Agency (MITA) has issued its own innovation hub.
The creative sector hasbenefitted from €15 million in EU funding that aimed at fostering cultural and artistic projects that drive economic activity, including digital elements. The sum of €1million in 2024 and €2 million were allocated to the Screen Support Scheme managed by ACM to support local film producers, also digitally, enhancing Malta’s appeal as a destination for film production and contributing to job creation within the creative sector.
Public and private sector developments have attracted international projects to include Malta in their itineraries. These include Creative Europe projects such as in the case of the Art Explora festival.
Malta has implemented several fiscal measures to encourage the use of digital technology in culture, the arts, the audiovisual sector, and heritage. The 2025 Budget included these initiatives:
Tax Incentives: Government extended tax credits under the Get Qualified and Higher Educational Qualifications Schemes, supporting students pursuing advanced degrees, including those in digital arts and technology;
Funding and Grants: ACM continued to promote Maltese creativity internationally, with projects that combine cultural heritage and advanced technologies, such as AI;
Cultural Events and Accessibility: Initiatives like ACM’s assessment of the accessibility of cultural sites together with the Commission Responsible for People with a Disability (CRPD) and the restoration of significant cultural sites by Heritage Malta are part of the broader strategy to integrate digital technology and enhance public engagement.
ACM is collaborating with regional and local councils to digitally map cultural infrastructure and accessibility through Participatory Geographic Information Systems (PGIS), following and improving on previous exercises associated with the European Capital of Culture held in Valletta in 2018, and looking forward towards Victoria 2031.
The Digital Decade 2030 targets are integral to Malta’s social and economic structure, providing solutions for government, business and society, and a strong base for economic growth. Malta’s digital transformation has maintained an upward trend in relation to the aims set out in Article 4 of the Digital Decade Policy Programme (DDPP) 2030 – digital skills, infrastructure including connectivity, digitalisation of businesses and digital public services.
This is demonstrated by Malta’ strong positioning in the Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) in previous years and various national strategies placing digital as the driving force for transformation leading to a better society and a thriving economy. The vision of Malta’s national strategy, Malta Diġitali, lays the foundations for Malta’s transition towards a more digitalised society and economy, leading to better public services, more productive businesses, and citizens who can harness the opportunities that digitalisation brings.
Initiatives have been implemented in recent years to incentivise individuals to attain at least basic digital skills. While maintaining an above EU-level for 2022 at 61% of the population having basic digital skills in comparison to the EU Average of 54%1, shortages and skills gap remain. Supply of ICT specialists and graduates remains low in comparison to the required demand, despite Malta having a slightly higher than EU average rate of 4.8% (in 2022) of the employed individuals (in comparison to EU average of 4.6%). The lack of digital skill availability is addressed by Malta’s National eSkills Strategy 2022-2025: this provides a framework for evaluating existing and introducing new initiatives to promote basic and above basic digital skills and tools.
As part of national efforts at promoting digital literacy, the Digital Education Strategy 2024-2030 aims at:
Nurturing Digital Global Citizens: Introducing ICT and digital literacy in primary schools and continuing through secondary education;
Empowering Educators: Providing professional development opportunities and integrating technology into teaching practices;
Community Engagement: Involving guardians and creating alliances with experts to support digital education;
Enriching Digital Resources: Providing tablets and laptops to students and developing digital content.
Additionally, the Directorate for Digital Literacy & Transversal Skills offers various programmes and resources, such as the One Tablet per Child initiative, virtual reality headsets, and digital literacy workshops for students.
Within the field of literacy, the Education Exception provides rights holders with rights payments over the use of their published work in the public education system, thus ensuring compliance with the EU Digital Single Market Directive. It informs the Malta Reprographic Rights Organisation (MRRO) that grants a licence to educational establishments in Malta to reproduce extracts from published material in which copyright subsists. The National Book Council is responsible for the handing over of funds to the MRRO, which in turn distributes them to licensed publishers and authors registered in the scheme. With this agreement, publishers and authors are compensated a total of €100,000 on a yearly basis for a 10 per cent reprographic or digital use of each book published. In 2024, 17 publishing entities benefited from the Education Exception fund, which was disbursed to 789 authors.
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