OpenAI to Offer Free ChatGPT Plus Access to All Malta Residents
Malta has become the first country to offer free ChatGPT Plus access to all residents through a national programme. Under the new initiative, residents who complete a free AI literacy course will receive one year of premium access at no cost. Additionally, Maltese citizens living abroad can also participate.
Economy Minister Silvio Schembri said the initiative aims to transform AI from an abstract concept into a practical tool for families, students, and workers. By linking access to education, Malta aims to encourage responsible AI adoption while improving digital skills across its population.
From policy promise to national rollout
The programme turns a government budget pledge into reality. Earlier in Malta’s 2026 budget, Finance Minister Clyde Caruana announced that citizens completing an AI training course would receive a free subscription to an AI platform such as ChatGPT.
Since then, discussions with OpenAI have moved the plan forward. Moreover, officials have highlighted the country’s strong AI adoption, with roughly one-third of Malta’s population already using AI tools. As a result, the country appears well positioned to scale AI literacy quickly.
OpenAI strengthens government partnerships
The Malta agreement reflects OpenAI’s broader push to work directly with governments. Through its “OpenAI for Countries” initiative, the company has expanded efforts around AI infrastructure, national AI deployments, and startup ecosystem support.
More recently, OpenAI has also expanded cybersecurity-focused AI access in Europe and created a specialized deployment unit to help organizations integrate AI tools more effectively. Although Malta is a relatively small market, the deal represents a strategic step as competition in the AI sector continues to intensify.
