Would you give up driving for €25,000? Malta’s offer comes with one big condition

Imagine being paid to stop driving. That’s now a real option in Malta, where young drivers are being offered up to €25,000 if they give up their driving licence for five years. The scheme is already open, runs until June 2026, and comes with one strict rule: you won’t be allowed to drive at all – not in Malta, not abroad – for the entire period.

It’s a bold move aimed at cutting traffic, and it’s already raising eyebrows across Europe. For some, it sounds like easy money. For others, it feels like too big a sacrifice.

Who can actually apply for the €25,000 offer

This isn’t open to everyone. The scheme is clearly aimed at younger drivers.

To qualify, you need to:

• be under 30 at the time you apply
• have lived in Malta for at least seven years
• hold a valid Category B licence for at least one year

There are a few more conditions that matter. Your licence must not have been suspended or revoked, and everything linked to it – including fees – must be up to date.

The scheme itself is backed by a €5 million budget and will run on a first come, first served basis, so places are limited.

How the €25,000 is paid – and why it’s spread out

If you’re accepted, you don’t get the money in one go.

Instead, it’s paid in five instalments of €5,000:

• the first payment comes when you hand over your licence
• the rest follow once a year over the next four years

This setup is deliberate. It keeps people committed to the full five years rather than taking the money and trying to find a way around the rules.

The part many people overlook: you can’t drive anywhere

The biggest condition is also the simplest: no driving at all for five years.

That doesn’t just mean giving up your car at home. It also includes:

• renting a car on holiday
• driving in another country
• or using any vehicle that requires a licence

If you break the rules, you risk losing the benefit. In some cases, you could be asked to pay back the money you’ve already received.

So while €25,000 sounds attractive, it comes with a very real commitment.

What happens after the five years

Once the five-year period ends, you can apply to get your licence back – but it’s not automatic.

You’ll need to complete 15 hours of driving lessons at an authorised driving school before being allowed back on the road.

There is some flexibility, though.

In certain situations, people can request their licence back earlier without penalties. These include:

• health issues affecting you or close family members
• work-related needs
• or other situations that authorities consider justified

Each case would need to be reviewed and approved.

Who is excluded from the scheme

Not everyone can take part, even if they meet the age and residency criteria.

The scheme excludes:

• people whose job depends on having a driving licence
• diplomats and certain public officials
• individuals with access to chauffeur-driven vehicles, including some political figures

The idea is to target drivers who can realistically choose to stop driving, rather than those who rely on it for their livelihood.

Why Malta is willing to pay drivers to stop driving

Malta has long struggled with traffic and high car usage.

Official figures show that more than 100,000 people aged between 18 and 39 hold a driving licence, which gives an idea of how many could potentially apply.

By encouraging even a portion of them to step away from driving, the government hopes to reduce congestion and ease pressure on roads.

Transport Malta has been clear about the aim: fewer licence holders should lead to fewer cars on the road.

Would you actually do it?

That’s the question many people are asking.

For someone living in a city with good public transport, cycling options, or short distances, giving up driving might be manageable – especially with €25,000 spread over five years.

But for others, especially those who rely on a car for daily life, it could feel too restrictive.

Five years is a long time to commit to not driving at all. Holidays, emergencies, convenience – all of that changes.

A different way of tackling traffic

Most policies aimed at reducing traffic tend to focus on restrictions – low-emission zones, parking limits, or higher costs.

Malta has taken a different approach by offering an incentive instead. Whether it works or not will depend on how many people are willing to take the deal. But one thing is certain: it’s a conversation starter.

And if you’re under 30 and living in Malta, it’s now a choice – keep your licence, or hand it in and get paid for it.