Visitors who do not reside in Malta and are issued fines totalling €200 or more could have their permission to remain in the country withdrawn and be removed before the end of their holiday under a new legal notice aimed at strengthening public order and safety, the Home Affairs Ministry said.

In a statement Friday, the Ministry said that people who do not reside in Malta and receive a fine or on-the-spot fines amounting to €200 or more will have their case referred to the Principal Immigration Officer under a new Legal Notice published by the government.

After considering the circumstances of the case, the Principal Immigration Officer will be able to determine whether the person's presence in Malta is contrary to public order, public safety or the public interest.

In such cases, the officer may withdraw the person's permission to remain in Malta and order their removal from the country before the end of their holiday, the statement said.

"We must not allow anyone to abuse our hospitality," Home Affairs Minister Glenn Bedingfield said.

"Malta remains an open, welcoming and safe country. We welcome with open arms all the visitors who choose our country every year and who respect our laws and our communities. However, we cannot and will not accept a small number of individuals abusing our hospitality, behaving irresponsibly and disturbing the public peace," Bedingfield said.

"Anyone who chooses to break the law or pose a threat to public safety should know that they will face immediate consequences, including being removed from Malta before the end of their holiday. This is a common-sense measure that protects residents, visitors who abide by the rules and the reputation of our country," he added.

Bedingfield said the measure further strengthens the government's commitment to public order and security while maintaining a balance between Malta's hospitality and the need to hold accountable those who abuse it, the statement said.

The legal notice also includes procedural safeguards, providing that anyone affected by such a decision has the right to appeal before the competent tribunal within one working day of being notified of the decision, the statement said.