Minimum on-the-spot fines for tourists doubled to €50

The government has doubled the minimum amount that can be charged through on-the-spot fines from €25 to €50, following a legal change that came into force on Tuesday.

The increase was introduced through a legal notice enacted into law on Tuesday, Prime Minister Robert Abela announced.

"This is another step towards ensuring more order and more respect for our communities," Abela said in a post on Facebook.

"When the law is enforced in an effective manner, everyone wins. We will continue taking the necessary decisions so that the law is respected," he added.

On-the-spot fines were introduced last month in response to concerns over antisocial behaviour by tourists, particularly in Malta's busiest tourist areas.

The fines apply only to non-habitual residents, a category that includes anyone in Malta who is neither a Maltese citizen nor the holder of a Maltese residence document.

Under the legislation, anyone who refuses to pay an on-the-spot fine immediately can have travel documents, including passports and identity cards, confiscated by the police until the penalty is settled.

The moves comes after during summer a number of videos surfaced on social media showing tourists bothering residents and breaking the law.