The European Commission's 2026 Rule of Law Report on Malta, published on 17 July 2026, assesses limited or no progress on key recommendations from the previous year, including judicial appointments, efficiency of justice, and high-level corruption investigations. The report notes that a new Commissioner for Standards of the Judiciary took office in December 2025 with powers to investigate complaints about judges, but reforms to involve the judiciary in appointing the Chief Justice remain stalled after a proposed nomination failed to secure a two-thirds parliamentary majority in March 2026, leaving the outgoing Chief Justice in office past retirement age.
The document, a staff working document accompanying the broader 2026 Rule of Law Communication, highlights that Malta's justice sector budget increased by 11% in 2026, yet staff shortages persist, with the country having 9.4 judges per 100,000 inhabitants in 2024, the third lowest rate in the EU. The number of prosecutions rose to 578 in 2025, up from 492 in 2024, and recruitment of prosecutors continued. However, a reform of the Lawyers' Act remains pending, and digitalisation of justice advances at a limited pace.
On anti-corruption, most actions under the National Anti-Fraud and Corruption Strategy have been completed, and a new strategy is being prepared. A digital portal for whistleblowing reports became operational, and legislative amendments on citizenship were adopted following a Court of Justice of the EU judgment. The report notes that legislation was adopted giving the media regulator new competences and enhancing public service media governance, and an integrated e-management system for access to documents requests became operational.
Limited steps were taken towards a formal framework for public participation in the legislative process, and a National Human Rights Institution and regulatory framework for civil society remain to be established. Reforms to strengthen the independence of specialised tribunals are advancing, with a draft bill submitted to the Venice Commission in May 2026 and adoption expected by August 2026 under the country's Recovery and Resilience Plan commitments.
The report's findings carry implications for several stakeholders. For EU institutions, the lack of progress may influence future funding decisions or trigger enhanced monitoring under the Rule of Law Conditionality Regulation. For Malta's judiciary, the continued vacancy of the Chief Justice post and low judge-to-population ratio risk further case backlogs and reduced public trust. For civil society and journalists, the absence of a National Human Rights Institution and limited public participation mechanisms constrain oversight and advocacy. For the Maltese government, the report pressures it to accelerate reforms to meet EU expectations and avoid potential legal or financial consequences.