OpenAI to Offer Free ChatGPT Plus Access to Malta Residents

OpenAI offers free ChatGPT Plus to Malta residents after AI course completion.

OpenAI has entered into an agreement with the government of Malta to provide residents with free access to ChatGPT Plus for one year after completing a basic AI course.

The programme will commence in May 2026 and will gradually expand as new users complete the training. The courses will be free, and access to the subscription will be available not only to residents of the country but also to Maltese citizens living abroad.

Under normal circumstances, the ChatGPT Plus plan costs $20 per month. The population of the country is estimated to be approaching 550,000 people.

Economy Minister Silvio Schembri stated that the authorities aim to transform AI “from an abstract concept into a practical tool” for families, students, and workers.

“Malta is the first country to launch a partnership of this scale, as we do not allow our citizens to lag behind in the digital age. We are placing our people at the forefront of global change,” the official emphasised. 

OpenAI noted that the project is expected to enhance digital literacy and accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence in education, business, and the public sector. The initiative is part of the broader OpenAI for Countries programme, through which the company collaborates with governments on integrating AI tools.

Malta is actively developing a national strategy in the field of artificial intelligence and earlier joined the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence programme. The country’s authorities position the island as one of Europe’s hubs for digital technology and innovation regulation.

In May, OpenAI introduced GPT-5.5-Cyber—a modification of its flagship model for cybersecurity tasks.