Get help | Can I get a Government grant for reverse osmosis in Malta?

Updated 03rd January 2026

In Malta there is a grant for the purchase of reverse osmosis water purification systems for households and for domestic use. There are two types of grant available and the Tappwater CounterTop RO unit qualifies for the higher grant of 40% as it does not waste water. The reverse osmosis grant in Malta is available until December 31st 2026.

The reverse osmosis grant in Malta is managed by the Regulator For Energy and Water Services as an incentive to reduce the domestic reliance of plastic bottled water.

Two types of grant for reverse osmosis equipment in Malta:

RO Wave - 15.25% on purchase price up to a maximum of €100

This grant is for the type pf reverse osmosis system that drains its waste water away rather than reuse it. Typically reverse osmosis systems will produce 3 to 5L of brine for every 1 L of drinking water and so the grant is much lower on these wasteful systems.

RO Recycle - 40% on purchase price up to a maximum of €300

Where the brine or reject water is not wasted, or the system has the capacity not to waste the brine such as the Tappwater CounterTop RO SMR water filter, the grant is significantly greater. The incentive here is not to waste water, a precious resource in Malta.

The Tappwater CounterTop RO SMR water filter system has a raw water tank that is refilled, the 7 stage filtration process than purifies this tank of 3.25L into the 1L pure water tank delivering 2.5L of pure water and leaving 705ML of brine or reject water which can then be emptied into the washing bowl, or a bucket and used for floor washing etc.

On this basis the CounterTop RO SMR water filter fulfils the criteria for RO Recycle and a 40% grant is available on the initial purchase price. This was confirmed directly by REWS in 2025.

With a maximum grant of €300 at 40% of the purchase price the maximum spend would be €750 which would include extra filters for your CounterTop RO system.

Eligibility:

• the scheme is  restricted to home owners as any leasehold agreement must have at least 5 years to run.
• the water filters purchased are used in a domestic environment for personal use
• The Electricity Bill must be in the same name and address as the applicant and the Tappwater Malta Ltd  Invoice
  
• The Tappwater Malta Invoice must not be more than 6 months old at time of application, use the Invoice  Number on the application
  
• Payment must have been made from the bank account of the applicant or a joint account that includes the applicant
• The applicant must not have already received a grant under this, or previous water purification schemes

How to apply

• In person at the offices of REWS (although REWS prefer you do not)
• by mail to the offices of REWS - HINT: Send registered, mark for attention of REWS
• Online - Complete the form, and upload digital copies of all documents. Customers tell us this is the easiest way.
• Address for applications:
  • Regulator for Energy and Water Services, 
    Zentrum Business Centre, Level 1,
    Mdina Road, 
    Qormi, QRM 9010
    Malta.

Documentation needed for application form

• Guidelines for applicants
• Application form with signed declaration
• COPY - ID Card or Residence Document
• COPY - Electricity bill less than 12 months old in the name of the applicant and on Residential or Domestic tariff
• ORIGINAL - Tappwater Malta Invoice

You will need the applicants bank details IBAN and BIC Code.

Popular BIC codes in Malta are:

VALLMTMT: Bank of Valletta plc.
BNIFMTMT: BNF Bank plc.
MALTMTMT: Central Bank of Malta.
MMEBMTMT: HSBC Bank Malta p.l.c.
FIMBMTM3: FIMBank plc.

Purchasing online at www.tappwater.mt

You can download the application from from this page and follow the guidance. Your Fiscal Receipt and Invoice (same document) is in your email confirmation from your order (or on sms if you did not use your email).

You will be able to supply the copy ID and electricity bill and completed the very simple application form online or download the form and send by registered post.

If accepted:

If your application is accepted you will receive payment. At this early stage we do not know how long this takes but will update guidance when we know.

If rejected:

If your application is rejected then you will find out by letter. It is important to have everything correctly in place on application which makes the chances of rejection low.

Background documents and reference:

Grants for reverse osmosis systems in Malta are not new but the latest is the 2024 scheme with a simplified application process.

This scheme was launched by means of Government Notice 484 of 2024.

23rd December 2025 The Tap Water Scheme is extended until Dec 31st 2026. Further details regarding the extensions are published in the Government Gazette No. 21,562 of 23rd December 2025, under the relevant Government Notices.

Malta Reverse Osmosis (RO) Government Grants: 7 Essential FAQs

1. What are the different types of government grants for Reverse Osmosis in Malta?

The 2024/2025 scheme offers two distinct tiers: RO Wave and RO Recycle. The RO Wave grant provides a 15.25% rebate (up to €100) for traditional systems that waste water. The RO Recycle grant offers a much higher 40% rebate (up to €300) for eco-friendly systems like the Tappwater CounterTop RO, which do not waste water during the filtration process.

2. Why does the Tappwater CounterTop RO qualify for the higher 40% grant?

Unlike traditional under-sink RO systems that flush 3 to 5 liters of "brine" (waste water) down the drain for every liter of drinking water produced, the Tappwater CounterTop RO SMR is designed to be zero-waste. Because it aligns with the government's water conservation policy, it qualifies for the "RO Recycle" tier, significantly increasing your potential savings.

3. Who is eligible to apply for the RO water purification grant?

The grant is available to private individuals (natural persons) residing in Malta who are homeowners. Tenants may only apply if their leasehold agreement has at least five years remaining. To qualify, you must not have previously received a grant under this or any previous water purification schemes for the same household.

4. Can I apply for the grant if the electricity bill is not in my name?

No. A strict requirement for eligibility is that the electricity bill must be in the applicant's name and must be for a "Residential" or "Domestic" tariff. Furthermore, the name and address on the Tappwater invoice and the fiscal receipt must match the details on the electricity bill exactly.

5. How much can I save on a Tappwater RO system including extra filters?

The 40% grant is capped at €300, which means the maximum eligible spend is €750. To maximize your benefit, you can bundle your initial purchase with extra refill filters on the same invoice. For example, buying the CounterTop RO with two extra refills brings the cost down significantly after the rebate is applied.

6. What is the process for submitting a grant application?

Applications must be submitted to the Regulator for Energy and Water Services (REWS) within six months of purchase. While you can apply via mail or in person, the online portal is the recommended method. You will need to upload a copy of your ID card, an electricity bill less than 12 months old, and the original Tappwater invoice.

7. Does the grant cover the cost of installation?

The grant percentage (either 15.25% or 40%) applies to both the purchase price and the installation costs. However, since the Tappwater CounterTop RO is a "plug-and-play" system that requires no professional plumbing or installation, you can claim the full percentage on the equipment cost itself without needing separate installation receipts.