The National Order of Merit pays tribute to Maltese citizens who distinguish themselves in different fields of endeavour.

However, honorary membership may be conferred on foreign nationals who have distinguished themselves by their service in the promotion and fostering of international relations, or who have earned the respect and gratitude of the people of the Maltese Islands.

In the other grades the maximum at any one time is twelve Companions, twenty Officers and one hundred Members.

Appointees to the National Order of Merit are entitled in terms of the law to place the following letters after their names:[2] In addition to the same rank as national appointments, two ranks have been added The insignia for a Companion of Honour includes a breast star with silver rays 80 mm (3.1 in) in diameter.

The badge of the order is similar to the star, but only includes the Maltese Cross and the coat of arms.

The badge of the order is suspended from a blue sash 102 mm (4.0 in) wide with a central stripe of red.