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Malta: figures tabled by the planning minister show EUR 16.5 million in Planning Authority fines for illegal development remain uncollected

Confidence: Confirmed · 2 sourcesMalta · Oct 12, 2026

Subject of this story

Planning Authority (Malta)

Clint Camilleri, Minister for Lands and Planning, Malta

Also named

Advocate

Ivan Bartolo, Member of Parliament (Nationalist Party), Malta

What happened

Figures tabled in Parliament by Planning Minister Clint Camilleri, in reply to data requested by Nationalist MP Ivan Bartolo, show that unpaid fines for illegal developments reached EUR 16.5 million by the end of 2025, across 2,341 enforcement cases issued since 2013 with fines still uncollected. Much of the unpaid amount is more than five years old, and 161 illegal developments have reached the maximum EUR 50,000 fine while still operating, according to The Shift News. Maltese law allows construction to continue while enforcement orders or permit appeals are pending; the opposition has said the Authority has become a 'Permit Authority.'

Sources (2)

MaltaTodayPlanning Authority has turned into Permit Authority, PN says.

The Shift NewsFigures tabled in parliament by the responsible minister constitute an on-record admission of the enforcement shortfall.

Response

Planning Authority (Malta)

On-record admission

Contacted and made an on-record admission — exact wording not on record.

Clint Camilleri

Not yet contacted

Not yet contacted for this story.

What happened next (0)

No outcome recorded yet.

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