Chapter 253 – Emblem and Public Seal of Malta Act

What is this act about?

This law establishes the official design of the Emblem and Public Seal of Malta and regulates their use, as well as the use of the National Flag of Malta. It aims to protect these national symbols from unauthorized use and vilification.

Who it applies to: Any person who wishes to use the Emblem of Malta, the National Flag of Malta, or previous armorial ensigns/emblems; Any person who might vilify or deface the National Flag of Malta or the Emblem of Malta.

At a glance

Country: Malta
Area of law: Other legislation
Articles: 7
Source: legislation.mt
Text retrieved: 2026-06-17
Explanation updated: 2026-07-07

What does this act regulate?

The specific design of the Emblem of Malta.
The specific design of the Public Seal of Malta.
The authorized use of the Emblem of Malta, the National Flag of Malta, and previous armorial ensigns/emblems.
The custody and use of the Public Seal of Malta.

Who does this act apply to?

Any person who wishes to use the Emblem of Malta, the National Flag of Malta, or previous armorial ensigns/emblems.
Any person who might vilify or deface the National Flag of Malta or the Emblem of Malta.

What are the key points?

The Emblem of Malta consists of a shield with the National Flag, a mural crown, and a wreath of olive and palm branches, tied with a ribbon bearing "REPUBBLIKA TA’ MALTA".
It is unlawful to use the Emblem of Malta, its imitations, or previous armorial ensigns/emblems without written authority from the Prime Minister.
It is unlawful to incorporate the National Flag of Malta into any design without written authority from the Prime Minister.
It is unlawful to publicly vilify or deface the National Flag of Malta or the Emblem of Malta.
Offences carry a fine of not less than €116.47 and not more than €2,329.37, with an additional fine of not less than €2.33 per day for continuing offences.

Other legislation

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Chapter 36 – Prevention of Disease Ordinance

Chapter 263 – Prevention of Corruption (Players) Act

Chapter 458 – Medicines Act

Chapter 79 – Commissioners for Oaths Ordinance

Chapter 169 – Commissioner of Land Ordinance

Chapter 575 – Government Borrowing and Management of Public Debt Act

Chapter 246 – Immovable Property (Acquisition by Non-residents) Act

Other legislation

Legal text

Contents (7)

Art. 1
Art. 2
Art. 3
Art. 4
Art. 5
Art. 6
Art. 7

EMBLEM AND PUBLIC SEAL OF MALTA

CHAPTER 253

EMBLEM AND PUBLIC SEAL OF MALTA ACT To make provision concerning the Emblem and Public Seal of Malta. (11th July, 1975)* ACT XXXIII of 1975, as amended by Acts XIII of 1983 and XXIX of 1988; and Legal Notice 423 of 2007.

Art. 1

The short title of this Act is the Emblem and Public Seal of Malta Act.

Short title.

Amended by:

XXIX. 1988.2.

Art. 2

2.(1) The Emblem of Malta shall consist of a shield showing an heraldic representation of the National Flag of Malta; above the shield a mural crown in gold with a sally port and eight turrets (five only being visible) representing the fortifications of Malta and denoting a City State; and around the shield a wreath of two branches the dexter of Olive, the sinister a Palm, symbols of peace and traditionally associated with Malta, all in their proper colours, tied at base with a white ribbon, backed red and upon which are written the words REPUBBLIKA TA’ MALTA in capital letters in black; as shown depicted in the First Schedule to this Act.

The Emblem of Malta.

Substituted by:

XXIX. 1988.3.

(2)The Emblem of Malta shall replace the Emblem of Malta adopted by this Act on the 11th July, 1975, as well as the armorial ensigns assigned for Malta by warrant dated 2nd September, 1964 and published in the Gazette by Government Notice No. 550 on l2th October, 1964.

Art. 3

3.(1) It shall not be lawful for any person to use for any purpose whatsoever, without the written authority of the Prime Minister, or not in accordance with any condition contained in any such written authority, the Emblem of Malta or any imitation thereof, or the armorial ensigns or the emblem referred to in subarticle (2) of article 2 of this Act or any imitation thereof.

Prohibition of use of Emblem of Malta, etc.

Amended by:

XIII. 1983.5.

Substituted by:

XXIX. 1988.4.

(2)It shall not be lawful for any person to incorporate within any design, for any purpose whatsoever, without the written authority of the Prime Minister, or not in accordance with any condition contained in any such written authority, the National Flag of Malta.

Art. 4

The Public Seal of Malta shall be a seal of a design as shown in the Second Schedule to this Act.

Public Seal.

Added by:

XXIX. 1988.5.

Art. 5

5.(1) The President of Malta may designate a Minister or a senior officer in the service of Malta to be the Custodian of the Public Seal and may give directions as to the manner in which it shall be kept and used.

Custody of the Public Seal.

Added by:

XXIX. 1988.5.

(2)In default of any such designation, the President of Malta shall be the Custodian of the Public Seal. *See Government Notice No.450 of the 11th of July,1975.

EMBLEM AND PUBLIC SEAL OF MALTA Vilification of the National Flag of Malta, etc.

Added by:

XXIX. 1988.5.

Art. 6

It shall not be lawful for any person to publicly vilify by words, gestures, written matter, whether printed or not, or pictures or by some other visible means, or in any manner to deface, the National Flag of Malta or the Emblem of Malta.

Offences and penalties.

Added by:

XXIX. 1988.5.

Amended by:

L.N. 423 of 2007.

Art. 7

7.(1) Any person who contravenes the provisions of articles 3 and 6 of this Act shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine (multa) of not less than one hundred and sixteen euro and forty-seven cents (116.47) and not more than two thousand and three hundred and twenty-nine euro and thirty-seven cents (2,329.37) and in the case of a continuing offence to an additional fine (multa) of not less than two euro and thirty-three cents (2.33) for each day during which the offence continues.

(2)No proceedings for an offence under this Act shall be instituted except with the consent of the Attorney General.

EMBLEM AND PUBLIC SEAL OF MALTA FIRST SCHEDULE [ARTICLE 2] THE EMBLEM OF MALTA Substituted by:

XXIX. 1988.6.

Added by:

XXIX.1988.6.

EMBLEM AND PUBLIC SEAL OF MALTA SECOND SCHEDULE [ARTICLE 4] PUBLIC SEAL OF MALTA

AI explanation based on the official legal text. Indicative, not a substitute for legal advice.