How to get your target shooter license in Malta
Getting a target shooter license in Malta can seem complicated. Firearm ownership is strictly regulated under the Arms Act (Chapter 480), and the Malta Police Force checks every applicant carefully before issuing a license. With the right information, though, the process becomes much easier to follow.
First, an important point: Malta has no self-defence license. You can't get a license to own a firearm for self-defence or home protection. Firearms licenses in Malta are for sport shooting, collecting and hunting only. There are very rare exceptions for members of the police or security teams, but these go through a completely different channel and aren't covered here.
This guide covers the different licenses, who can apply, the documents you'll need, each step of the process, the course and police test, costs, your responsibilities once you're licensed, and renewal. It also covers the Collector's License B, the option for people who have inherited firearms or have given up the sport but want to keep their firearms.
Whether you're completely new to shooting or already know your way around a range, this guide sets out the steps clearly from start to finish.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Requirements can change, so always confirm with the Police Weapons Office.
How target shooter licenses work in Malta
Target shooter licenses let you own and use firearms for sport. They're issued by the Malta Police Force, whose job is to make sure everyone who owns a firearm is responsible, properly trained and legally compliant. Every application is also reviewed by the Weapons Board before it's approved.
A target shooter license covers sport shooting only. It can't be used for hunting, which needs a separate license, or for self-defence, and it doesn't allow firearms to be carried or used outside licensed sporting activities.
The process is thorough by design. Every applicant has to show they can handle firearms safely and understand the law before the police will grant a license. That's what keeps shooting in Malta safe and well respected.
Which license do you need?
Target Shooter License A (TSL A)
Lets you own up to 20 firearms, including pistols and rifles, with magazines of up to 20 rounds for pistols and up to 10 rounds for rifles. It's the usual license for pistol and rifle disciplines.
Target Shooter License B (TSL B)
Covers smooth-bore guns only: shotguns, black powder guns, airguns and crossbows. It's the usual license for clay pigeon shooting (skeet and trap) and tactical shotgun shooting. TSL B doesn't cover pistols or rifles.
Target Shooter License A Special (TSL A Special)
Everything TSL A allows, plus firearms with higher-capacity magazines (over 20 rounds for pistols or over 10 rounds for rifles). Once granted, the TSL A Special replaces your TSL A, so you hold one license, not two. It isn't available to new applicants:
You can only apply once you've held a TSL A for at least two years.
You must prove you're an active shooter, with at least two range visits every calendar year signed by a Range Conducting Officer (RCO). Most shooters keep a booklet and ask the RCO to sign and date it as they leave the range.
You'll need the same proof every year to renew the Special license, so keep your booklet up to date.
You'll need a recommendation letter from your club. Some clubs may ask you to complete a separate course before they give one.
You apply at your local police district, not online.
If you're just starting out, apply for TSL A or TSL B first. The steps below are for those two licenses.
Collector's License B (formerly the "to keep" license)
This isn't a target shooting license, but many shooters will come across it at some point. It lets you keep firearms you already have without using them. See the section on the Collector's License B further down.
Are you eligible?
Eligibility rules are strict so that only responsible, capable people get access to firearms. To apply for TSL A or TSL B, you must:
be at least 18 years old. There are no exceptions to the minimum age.
have no criminal convictions
hold a clean police conduct certificate
have a medical certificate confirming you're in good mental and physical health to own and handle firearms. It must be no more than two months old when you submit it.
be a member of a recognised shooting club
Why club membership matters
You can't get a target shooter license without joining a club, and your club will play a big part in your time as a shooter. Clubs give you:
Structured training in safe firearm handling, under qualified supervision
License courses that prepare you for the police test
Your recommendation letter, which the police need as part of your application. It confirms your training and the club's support.
Insurance. Most clubs can issue the insurance you need, usually paid together with your membership.
Range access where you can practise legally and safely
A community of experienced shooters who can advise you, keep you up to date on rule changes, and introduce you to competitions and events
Clubs differ in the disciplines they offer, their facilities, membership fees and course prices, so it's worth comparing a few before you commit.
👉 Browse the clubs listed on Maltaguns to find the right one for you.
Documents you'll need
Get these ready before you apply to avoid delays and repeat trips:
Police conduct certificate: a recent certificate showing you have no criminal record
Medical certificate: from a qualified doctor, confirming you're mentally and physically fit to handle firearms safely. It must be no more than two months old, so time it carefully.
Club recommendation letter: issued when you finish your license course
Application form and identification: the form comes from the police, and you should also bring your ID card. Ask at your local police district exactly what they need, including whether you need passport-sized photographs.
Make sure every document is valid, original and up to date.
How to get your license, step by step
Step 1: Check your eligibility
Make sure you meet every requirement listed above. Apply for your police conduct certificate early, and book your medical so that the certificate is no more than two months old when you apply.
Step 2: Join a club
Choose a recognised club that offers the discipline you're interested in.
👉 See our clubs page.
Step 3: Attend a license course
Sign up for the course that matches your license, either TSL A or TSL B. Courses usually cover:
Practical training: safe handling, loading and unloading, and basic shooting technique, under professional supervision
Theory: the Arms Act, your legal duties as a firearm owner, safe storage and range rules
The Normal Safety Procedure (NSP): the routine for checking that a firearm is empty and safe, which you'll have to carry out in the police test
Each club sets its own format, length and fees.
👉 Check our Events calendar for upcoming license courses.
Step 4: Complete the course and get your recommendation letter
When you've finished the course, your club will give you a recommendation letter to support your application.
Step 5: Apply for the test at your local police district
Take your application and supporting documents to your local police district to apply for the license test. Firearms licenses can't be applied for online. Your application will also be reviewed by the Weapons Board.
Step 6: Wait for your test date
Waiting times vary. You could get a date in about six weeks, or it could take a few months if there's a backlog. Your club can tell you what the wait is like at the moment.
Step 7: Prepare for the test
Go back over your course notes and practise the NSP at your club under supervision until you can do it confidently. The police test usually checks:
your knowledge of the Arms Act and firearm safety rules
whether you can carry out the NSP correctly and handle a firearm safely
your understanding of range rules and proper conduct at the range
Step 8: Take the test
Once you pass, your license document will be posted to your home. While you wait, you can:
arrange your insurance, which you need before you get your license. Most clubs can issue it for you.
buy a suitable safe and install it at home
start thinking about which firearm you'd like to buy first
👉 Browse safes on the Maltaguns marketplace, or find a store near you on our stores page.
Step 9: Collect and pay for your license
When a letter arrives saying your license is approved and ready to collect, go to your local police station to pay the license fee and collect it.
Step 10: Buy your first firearm
Once you're licensed and verified on Maltaguns, you can see firearms listed by other verified license holders. Firearm listings are visible to verified license holders only. Any sale is agreed between buyer and seller, and the Police then handle the transfer:
In Malta, transfers take place at the Police Depot in Floriana.
If you live in Gozo, the transfer normally takes place in Gozo, at the Police Office in Rabat. There may be exceptions, for example if the seller is in Malta, so call the Police Weapons Office to confirm where your transfer should happen.
Maltaguns doesn't handle firearm payments or transfers.
Step 11: Renew every year
You renew your target shooter license every year. Each year you'll need to:
renew your club membership and insurance, which are normally paid together at your club
pay the police license fee at your local police station
Every five years, you'll also need a new medical certificate, no more than two months old, when you renew. If you hold a TSL A Special, you'll also need your booklet showing at least two RCO-signed range visits in that calendar year.
What does it cost?
Prices vary from club to club, but these are typical ranges:
Club enrolment fee: €20 – €40, once, when you join
Annual club membership: around €25, every year
Insurance: €15 – €35, before you get your license, then every year
Firearms safety course: €35 – €80, once, for your license course
Police license fee, TSL A: €10 every year
Police license fee, TSL A Special: €10 every year (it replaces your TSL A, so you don't pay both)
Police license fee, TSL B: €10 every year
About the insurance: you can usually choose between third-party liability only, or third-party liability plus personal accident cover. Most clubs can issue the insurance themselves, so you can pay for it together with your membership.
You'll also need to budget for your medical certificate, your police conduct certificate and a suitable safe.
For current prices, contact the clubs directly.
Stopped shooting or inherited firearms? The Collector's License B
The Collector's License B (formerly known in Malta as the "to keep" license) is for people who want to keep firearms legally but don't want to shoot. It's for two groups:
Former target shooters or hunters who have given up the sport but want to keep their firearms
People who have inherited firearms
What it allows, and what it doesn't
It lets you keep existing Schedule 2 firearms, meaning shotguns, rifles or pistols.
The firearms can't be used. If you want to shoot them, you need a target shooter license.
You can't buy more firearms under a Collector's License B.
It doesn't cover Schedule 1 firearms, which are generally automatic firearms from 1946 and earlier. Inherited Schedule 1 firearms need a Collector's License A Special.
How to apply
The Collector's License B doesn't follow the step-by-step route above:
You don't need to join a club, and no insurance is needed.
You must keep the firearms in a safe.
You must provide a medical certificate confirming your mental and physical health when you apply.
You apply at your local police district, not online.
Like every license application, it's reviewed by the Weapons Board before it's approved.
Renewal
You renew the license and pay the €20 fee every year. Many Collector's License B holders never go shooting and only hold the license for firearms they've inherited, so this is the only firearms license that can be renewed and paid for online, through armi.gov.mt. A medical certificate is only needed when you first apply, not for renewals.
If you've inherited firearms
When a license holder dies, the Arms Act makes their heirs legally responsible for the firearms. The heirs are treated as lawfully in possession under the deceased's license, but only for two years. Within that time, the firearms must be transferred to a licensed person (for example, to you once you hold a Collector's License B), deactivated, or handed in to the Police.
Contact the Police Weapons Office promptly, keep the firearms locked away and unused, and start your application straight away. Our guide to inheriting firearms in Malta explains every option.
Your responsibilities as a license holder
A target shooter license comes with serious responsibilities.
Use your firearms legally
Only shoot at approved ranges and in licensed sporting activities.
Never carry a loaded firearm in public places.
Only own and use the firearms your license covers. For example, a TSL B holder can't own pistols or rifles, and a TSL A holder can't use magazines above the TSL A limits.
Keep your license in order
Renew your license, club membership and insurance every year, and your medical certificate every five years. TSL A Special holders should keep their range booklet signed.
Store them securely
When you're not using your firearms, keep them locked in a suitable safe that stops anyone else getting to them, including family members and visitors.
Handle them safely
Always treat a firearm as loaded.
Keep it pointed in a safe direction.
Keep your finger off the trigger until you're ready to shoot.
Always follow the Range Conducting Officer's commands.
When can a license be revoked?
The police can revoke a license if the holder breaks Malta's firearm laws or the conditions of their license. Common reasons include:
Using firearms outside licensed activities, such as carrying them loaded in public or using them for hunting without a hunting license
Unsafe storage or handling, including letting unauthorised people get to your firearms
Criminal convictions, particularly for violent or drug-related offences
Losing your license means losing the right to own firearms, and you could also face legal penalties. If you're ever unsure about a rule, check with the Police Weapons Office.
FAQs
Can I get a firearms license for self-defence?
No. Malta has no self-defence license. Firearms licenses are for sport shooting, collecting and hunting only.
What's the minimum age to apply?
You must be at least 18.
Can I apply for my license online?
No. All firearms license applications go through your local police district. The only thing you can do online is renew a Collector's License B.
How long does the process take?
It depends mainly on how long you wait for a test date after applying. That can be about six weeks, or a few months if there's a backlog.
How much does it cost?
Prices vary by club, but expect roughly €20–€40 to join a club, around €25 a year for membership, €15–€35 a year for insurance, €35–€80 for the safety course, and €10 a year for the police license fee (TSL A, TSL A Special or TSL B). Check the clubs page for current prices.
Do I need insurance?
Yes, for a target shooter license. You need insurance before you get your license, and you have to renew it every year. Most clubs can issue it, and you can usually choose between third-party liability only or cover that also includes personal accident. The Collector's License B doesn't need insurance.
How often do I renew?
Every year. Target shooter licenses are renewed at your local police station, together with your club membership and insurance. You'll need a new medical certificate every five years. Collector's License B holders can renew online at armi.gov.mt.
What magazines can I use with a TSL A?
Up to 20 rounds for pistols and up to 10 rounds for rifles. Anything larger needs a TSL A Special.
Can I apply for the Target Shooter License A Special straight away?
No. You need to have held a TSL A for at least two years, show at least two RCO-signed range visits every calendar year, and have a recommendation letter from your club. You'll need the same proof of range visits every year to renew. Once granted, the TSL A Special replaces your TSL A, and the fee stays at €10 a year.
I live in Gozo. Where does my firearm transfer happen?
Normally in Gozo, at the Police Office in Rabat. There may be exceptions, for example if the seller is in Malta, so call the Police Weapons Office to confirm.
I've stopped shooting. Do I have to give up my firearms?
Not necessarily. You can apply for a Collector's License B to keep your Schedule 2 firearms, but you won't be able to use them or buy more.
I've inherited firearms. What should I do?
Contact the Police Weapons Office promptly and start your license application straight away. You have two years to have the firearms transferred to a licensed person, deactivated or handed in to the Police. See the Collector's License B section above.
Can I use my target shooter license for hunting?
No. Hunting needs a separate license with its own process. Besides a firearms test, you have to show you know the species that can be hunted, the open seasons and related rules. Hunters usually join the FKNK, the federation for hunting and conservation. For details, contact the FKNK or the Police Weapons Office.
What happens if I break the rules of my license?
Your license could be revoked, and you could face legal penalties depending on what happened.
Official contact: Police Weapons Office
Address: Police General Headquarters, St. Calcedonius Square, Floriana, FRN 1530 (pulizija.gov.mt/en/contact)
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 7:30 AM – 2:15 PM (closed for a 15-minute break, 12:00 PM – 12:15 PM). Hours may change. Check with the Police before visiting.
Email: weapons.police@gov.mt
Telephone: 2294 2110
Online renewal (Collector's License B only): armi.gov.mt
Conclusion
Getting a target shooter license in Malta takes time and preparation, but every step exists to keep the sport safe. Check you're eligible, join a club, complete your course, pass the police test, arrange your insurance, and renew every year. Once you're licensed, store your firearms securely and shoot only where your license allows.
If you stop shooting, or you inherit firearms, the Collector's License B gives you a legal way to keep them. Plan ahead, stay active in your club, and take your responsibilities seriously, and you'll have a smooth path into one of Malta's most disciplined sports.
Requirements can change. Always confirm with the Police Weapons Office.