Malta's system of honours, awards and decorations was established in 1975 by virtue of the Ġieħ ir-Repubblika Act and consolidated in 1990 by the foundation of the National Order of Merit under the same Act.

Malta pays public tribute to Maltese citizens who distinguish themselves in different walks of life and whose contribution and achievement enrich the general well-being of their fellow countrymen, as well as to foreign nationals who distinguish themselves by their services in the promotion and fostering of international relations or who earn the respect and gratitude of the people of the Maltese Islands. The State bestows its honours through appointment to the National Order of Merit or to the Xirka Ġieħ ir-Repubblika or by the award of the Midalja għall-Qlubija and the Midalja għall-Qadi tar-Repubblika.

The honours given under the Ġieħ ir-Repubblika Act are not intended to create a society of the elite. No special privileges and no financial benefits are attached to the awards. Granting honours is a symbolic and lasting way for a country to recognise the excellence, merit and effort of those persons whom it is desired to honour.

Appointments to the National Order of Merit and to the Xirka Ġieħ ir-Repubblika, as well as the award of medals of the Republic, are made by the President of Malta on the written advice of the Prime Minister. The instruments of appointment, the insignia and the medals are presented by the President at an investiture ceremony.

The President of Malta is the Head of the Maltese Orders whilst the Secretary to the Cabinet is, ex officio, the Chancellor. A Registrar is appointed as an officer of the Orders to keep a record of the honours and awards granted. A Nominations Committee is appointed to consider nominations and to make proposals to the Prime Minister of those persons whom it is desired to honour.

The names of those distinguished persons who are appointed members and honorary members of the National Order of Merit or of the Xirka Ġieħ ir-Repubblika, and of those who are awarded the Midalja għall-Qlubija and the Midalja għall-Qadi tar-Repubblika, are published in the Government Gazette.

• The National Order of Merit

• The Xirka Ġieħ ir-Repubblika

• The Midalja għall-Qlubija and the Midalja għall-Qadi tar-Repubblika

• Officers of the Orders and members of the Nominations Committee

• Former Heads and Chancellors of the Xirka and the National Order of Merit

• Submit a nomination

• Medal to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the reintroduction of self-government (1996)