How to Get 15.25% Back on Your First Musical Instrument in Malta (2026 Guide)

The MALTA VAT Refund Guide

Thinking about buying your first guitar, piano, or any other musical instrument in Malta? Before you spend a cent, you should know about a government scheme that puts up to €465 back in your pocket. Most people walking into a music shop in Malta have no idea this exists — and that's a shame, because it can take a serious bite out of the cost of getting started.

Here at Sun-Sounds in Sliema, we help our customers claim this grant every single week. This guide walks you through exactly how it works, who qualifies, and how to claim it without any headaches.

What is the Musical Instrument VAT Refund Scheme?

The Maltese government refunds the VAT (currently 18%) you paid on your first new musical instrument purchase. In practical terms, that's a 15.25% refund off your total bill (because VAT is calculated into the price, not on top of it).

So if you buy a €1,500 acoustic guitar, you can claim back around €229. On a €3,000 guitar, that's €457. The maximum claim is capped, but for most starter and mid-range instruments, you'll get the full VAT amount refunded.

Who Qualifies for the VAT Refund in Malta?

To claim the grant, you need to meet a few simple criteria:

- You must be a Maltese resident

- It must be your first new musical instrument purchase under this scheme (you can only claim once in your lifetime)

- The instrument must be new (not used or vintage)

- The purchase must be from a registered VAT-paying business in Malta

- You need a proper VAT receipt and serial number

That last point matters: buying privately from someone on Facebook Marketplace will not qualify. The receipt has to come from a registered music shop in Malta.

What Instruments Qualify?

The grant covers most musical instruments sold by music shops in Malta, including:

- Acoustic and electric guitars

- Bass guitars

- Digital and acoustic pianos, keyboards, and synthesizers

- Drums and percussion instruments

- Violins, cellos, and other string instruments

- Wind and brass instruments (saxophones, trumpets, flutes, clarinets)

- Ukuleles, mandolins, and other folk instruments

Accessories like cases, strings, picks, and stands are not covered — only the instrument itself.

How to Claim the VAT Refund: Step by Step

The process is more straightforward than most government schemes. Here's exactly what to do:

• Step 1: Buy your instrument from Sun-Sounds or a registered Maltese music shop. Make sure your VAT receipt shows the shop's VAT number, the instrument description, serial number, and total amount paid.

• Step 2: Visit the Commissioner for Revenue website. The application is done online through the official government portal. You'll need your Maltese ID card details ready.

• Step 3: Fill in the online form. You'll be asked for your personal details, the shop's VAT number, the instrument details, and the amount paid.

• Step 4: Upload supporting documents. This includes a scanned copy of your VAT receipt and proof of payment.

• Step 5: Submit and wait. Processing usually takes a few weeks. The refund is paid directly into your Maltese bank account.

If you're shopping at Sun-Sounds, we'll prepare your receipt in exactly the format the government requires and walk you through the application on the spot. We've done this hundreds of times.

Common Mistakes That Get Claims Rejected

• Missing serial number on the receipt. The instrument must have a serial number listed, even for ukuleles and entry-level guitars.

• Buying used. The grant only applies to new instruments. If you want a vintage guitar in Malta, the grant won't cover it.

• Buying abroad. Even if you bring the instrument back to Malta, you can't claim VAT back from a foreign shop.

• Already used your one claim. You only get one refund in your lifetime, so spend it wisely on something you'll keep.

• Waiting too long. There's a deadline for claiming after purchase, so don't sit on the paperwork.

Should You Use Your Refund on a Cheap or Expensive Instrument?

If you spend the grant on a €200 starter guitar, you save about €30. If you use it on a €1,500 instrument that will last you decades, you save €228. Same paperwork, very different savings. We see a lot of beginners buy the cheapest guitar they can find, only to upgrade six months later — and now they've used their refund on something they no longer own.

Ready to Use Your VAT Refund?

Pop into Sun-Sounds in Sliema and we'll help you pick the right instrument, prepare your VAT receipt, and walk you through the government grant application. We stock a wide range of new guitars, pianos, basses, and other instruments that qualify for the scheme.

You can also browse our store online, or contact us to ask about specific models before you visit.