The European Commission's 2026 Rule of Law Report on Malta, published on 22 July 2026, finds limited or no progress on key recommendations including judicial appointment reforms, reducing court delays, establishing a track record of corruption convictions, protecting journalists, and setting up a National Human Rights Institution. The report, part of the annual rule of law cycle, assesses developments in justice, anti-corruption, media freedom, and civil society.
A new Commissioner for Standards of the Judiciary took office in December 2025 for a renewable three-year term, but reforms to involve the judiciary in appointing the Chief Justice remain stalled due to lack of political consensus. Perceived judicial independence among the general public dropped sharply to 47% in 2026 from 69% in 2025, while among companies it rose slightly to 65%. The justice sector budget increased by 11% in 2026, but Malta still has 9.4 judges per 100,000 inhabitants, the third lowest in the EU, and the length of proceedings remains a concern. Prosecutions rose to 578 in 2025, up from 492 in 2024, and a new code of ethics for prosecutors has been in place since September 2025.
Most actions under the National Anti-Fraud and Corruption Strategy are completed, and a new strategy is being prepared, but a robust track record of final judgments is still lacking. A digital whistleblowing portal is operational, and legislative amendments on citizenship were adopted following a Court of Justice of the EU judgment. The media regulator gained new competences, and an e-management system for access to documents requests became operational, but legislative safeguards for journalists remain pending. A National Human Rights Institution and a formal framework for public participation in the legislative process have not yet been established; the Government announced both as policy priorities for the new Legislature.
The report's findings carry implications for several stakeholders. For Maltese citizens, the drop in perceived judicial independence and persistent court delays undermine trust in the justice system. For businesses, the slight improvement in perceived independence among companies may offer some reassurance, but the lack of final corruption convictions creates uncertainty for investment. For journalists, the absence of legislative safeguards leaves them vulnerable, despite the new e-management system for access to documents. For the Maltese government, the report signals that further reforms are needed to meet EU rule of law standards, with potential consequences for EU funding and political credibility. The Commission will continue to monitor progress in the 2027 report.