Electrical work is the one trade where the cheapest quote can genuinely be the most expensive decision. This guide covers what licensed electricians in Malta typically charge in 2026, so you can budget properly — and recognise when a price is too good to be safe.
Typical electrician prices in Malta
| Job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Call-out and fault diagnosis | €25 – €60 |
| Replace a socket or switch | €20 – €50 |
| Install a new socket (surface run) | €40 – €90 |
| New socket chased into wall | €70 – €150 |
| Light fitting or chandelier installation | €30 – €100 |
| Distribution board (panel) replacement | €250 – €600 |
| Full rewire, per room equivalent | €300 – €600 |
| Landlord-style safety inspection | €80 – €200 |
Hourly rates, where used, generally sit between €25 and €45 depending on qualification level and the kind of work.
Why electrical quotes vary so much
- Licence level. Malta distinguishes licence classes for electricians — Licence A and Licence B — reflecting the scope of work they may sign off. More on that in our guide to electrician licences in Malta.
- Chasing and making good. Cutting channels into Maltese masonry walls is slow, dusty work, and someone must plaster afterwards. A "€40 socket" becomes €120 when it involves a chase, plaster and paint.
- Old installations. Cloth-insulated wiring, no earth on lighting circuits, mystery junction boxes — older homes in Valletta and Ħamrun routinely surprise even good electricians, and quotes carry a margin for it.
- Certification. Work that must be documented and signed off carries the responsibility premium it deserves.
Where not to economise
Fault-finding, panel work, and anything involving the earth system. A cheap job on a socket is a cosmetic risk; a cheap job on your earthing is a life-safety risk. If your power trips repeatedly, that is the installation telling you something — our guide to why your power keeps tripping explains what, and none of the answers is "tape the breaker on".
Getting comparable quotes
Electricians quote tightest when the unknowns are removed. Photograph the distribution board with the cover on and off, the fittings involved, and the room. State the age of the property and what actually happens ("RCD trips when the washing machine heats"). Post that once on Qabbad's electrician page and approved electricians covering your locality reply with their own prices — comparable, because they all saw the same brief.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an electrician charge per hour in Malta?
Generally €25 to €45 per hour, with call-outs of €25 to €60 that often include the first stretch of diagnostic time. Per-job pricing is common for standard tasks like sockets and light fittings.
How much does it cost to rewire a house in Malta?
As a rule of thumb, €300 to €600 per room equivalent, so a typical three-bedroom home lands somewhere between €2,500 and €5,000 depending on size, wall construction, and how much making-good is included. Get itemised quotes — the spread between offers is often about scope, not price.
Why is chasing a socket into the wall so expensive?
Maltese walls are solid masonry, not plasterboard. Cutting a channel, sinking a back box, running the cable, plastering and repainting is several trades' worth of work around one small socket.
Can a handyman do small electrical jobs?
Swapping a like-for-like light fitting is one thing, but anything involving new circuits, the panel, or fault-finding belongs with a licensed electrician. If in doubt, describe the job and let providers tell you what it needs.