Twenty-five EU citizens furious at being charged one-third more for water and electricity than Maltese residents have filed a Constitutional case arguing that discriminatory pricing violates European laws.

The non-Maltese residents asked the court to nullify pricing regulations and order a refund of any excess payments.

Regulations divide household electricity use into a ‘residential’ tariff for the primary home of Maltese citizens and a ‘domestic’ tariff, which is 30% higher, for second homes and non-residents.

Government officials argue that the distinction is based on residency and not nationality, and it does not violate EU rules.

But plaintiffs are quoting a 2006 EU Internal Market directive which states that access to a service “may not be denied or restricted by application of a criterion... relating to the recipient’s nationality or place of residence”.

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Full story in The Times.