Minimum on-the-spot fine for tourists doubles to \u20ac50<\/p>\n
The minimum that can be charged in an on-the-spot fine has doubled from €25 to €50, Prime Minister Robert Abela announced on Tuesday morning.<\/p>\n
The change was made through a legal notice which was enshrined into law on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
“This is another step towards ensuring more order and more respect to our communities,” Prime Minister Robert Abela said as he announced the news on his Facebook page.<\/p>\n
“When the law is enforced in an effective manner, everyone wins. We will continue taking the necessary decisions so that the law is respected,” he added.<\/p>\n
The law introducing on-the-spot fines came into force last month amid concerns of antisocial behaviour from tourists, especially in known touristic hotspots.<\/p>\n
On-the-spot fines are applicable only to “non-habitual residents” – which is essentially anybody in the country who is not a Maltese citizen or holder of a residence document.<\/p>\n
If the individual who is fined does not pay the charge immediately then police have the power to confiscate travel documents such as passports and ID cards. <\/p>\n