We are now entering the final countdown for a major regulatory shift in the Maltese farming sector. Under the Protection of Agricultural Land Regulations (Subsidiary Legislation 604.08), it is now a legal requirement for all farmers and landholders in Malta and Gozo to officially register their agricultural land.

If you have not yet registered your parcels, here is everything you need to know to protect your title and stay compliant with the law.

Why is Registration Now Mandatory?

The government introduced these regulations to ensure that fertile land outside development zones (ODZ) is preserved for its intended purpose: food production. The registration process allows the state to maintain an accurate database of active agricultural sites and ensures that productive land is not abandoned or neglected.

⚠️ Critical Deadline: March 28, 2026

The law provides a strict six-month window for registration, which began on September 28, 2025.

• The Final Deadline is March 28, 2026.
• What happens if you miss it? If land remains unregistered after this date, the government will issue site notices. If the land is still not registered within three months of that notice, the state agency Riżorsi Agrikoli Malta (RAM) is legally authorized to take possession of the land.
• The "One-Year" Rule: By September 28, 2026, any land that has remained unregistered since the law's inception may be re-allocated to other active farmers to ensure it remains in use.

Who is Obliged to Register?

This obligation applies to anyone holding a valid title to agricultural land—whether you are the owner, a tenant under a lease (qbiela), or have other legal rights to the property. Even if the land is currently fallow (resting), if it is capable of being farmed, it must be registered.

How to Complete Your Registration

You can complete this process digitally or in person at designated hubs:

1. Online: Submit your application via the Agricultural Land Registration portal on Servizz.gov.
2. In-Person (Malta): Visit the Front Office at the Pitkali Market in Ta' Qali.
   • Hours: Monday to Thursday (07:30–12:30) and Friday (11:00–15:00).
3. In-Person (Gozo): Visit the Government Experimental Farm in Xewkija (Call 2215 6951 to confirm hours).

Requirements for a Successful Application

To register, you must provide the following documentation:

• Official Site Plan: An LPIS (Land Parcel Identification System) map or a Land Registry plan.
• Crop Plan: A summary of what you intend to cultivate during the current agricultural year.
• Sworn Statement: A declaration signed before a Notary or Commissioner for Oaths confirming your responsibility for the land.
• ID Card: A copy of the applicant’s identification.

Ongoing Responsibilities

Once registered, the law requires you to keep the land in "good agricultural condition." This means the soil must be ploughed or tilled at least once a year and maintained in a state suitable for cultivation, free from invasive species that could damage the land's productivity.

Contact for Assistance

With the March 28, 2026 deadline approaching quickly, do not leave your registration until the last minute. For specific queries, contact the Agriculture Directorate:

• Phone: 2339 7777
• Email: artagrikola.mafa@gov.mt

Contact the Notary

A sworn declaration needs to be signed before a Notary or Commissioner for Oaths confirming your responsibility for the land. Kindly contact us by pressing here in order to make your appointment to sign your declaration.

The Ministry for Finance has announced that with effect from 09/06/2020, the exemption applicable to First time buyers (whereby they do not pay any duty on the first Eur200,000), is being amended in order to include also those persons who are already owners of a garage of not more than 30m2 and want to purchase their first residential property.

Thus, any person who wants to purchase his/her first residential property can do so even if he/she already owns a garage (of not more than 30m2).

On the other hand, all those individuals who had already signed their contract after 09/06/2020 and are eligible for this scheme, should be able to ask for a refund of the stamp duty paid on their contract. Thus, all those individuals who are entitled to a refund are being asked to send an email to the Tax Department on capitaltransfers.cfr@gov.mt or call on 22998110.