Malta Set To Ban Cash Payments On Ride-Hailing Apps
Ride-hailing platforms in Malta, including Bolt, Uber and eCabs, are set to face sweeping reforms under new government plans to regulate the Y-plate cab sector, Times of Malta reports.
A central proposal would ban cash payments by the beginning of 2026, with authorities arguing that paper money fuels under-declared income, theft risks and “compliance challenges”.
Government data shows more than a third of Malta’s estimated 55,000 daily cab trips are currently paid in cash.
The reforms also propose steep increases in registration fees — rising from €200 a year to as much as €320,000 — as well as new requirements for driver facial recognition and stricter enforcement of working hour rules.
A congestion fee for vehicles exceeding 80,000km annually is also planned.Officials say curbing cash payments will help eliminate the 50-50 driver model and improve transparency across the sector.
Will banning cash payments improve fairness in Malta’s cab industry?