Established in 1920, the Knightly Order pro Merito Melitensi is given in recognition of those activities that have conferred honour and prestige on the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.

It is mainly awarded to non-members of the Order. This Order is awarded regardless of religion, hence those granted it do not automatically become members of the Order of Malta.

The Order pro Merito Melitensi is awarded both by Decree of the Sovereign Council and by motu proprio of the Grand Master.

The awards are made on:
2 February, Candlemas
24 June, feast of St. John the Baptist, Patron of the Order
13 October, feast of Blessed Gerard, Founder of the Order.

Excluded from these provisions are the motu proprio awards and those to authorities and officials of the Order of Malta when terminating their responsibilities and offices.

The grades of the Order pro Merito Melitensi are:
the Collar
the Cross
the Medals

The Collar has a single grade divided into two Classes: Collar pro Merito Melitensi (for Civilians) and Collar with Swords pro Merito Melitensi (for the Military). The Collar is normally awarded to Heads of State

The grades of the Cross of the Order pro Merito Melitensi for the laity are:

For Civilians:

Grand Cross pro Merito Melitensi – Special Class
Grand Cross pro Merito Melitensi
Grand Officer pro Merito Melitensi
Commander pro Merito Melitensi
Officer pro Merito Melitensi
Cross pro Merito Melitensi

For Women:

Grand Cross pro Merito Melitensi – Special Class
Grand Cross pro Merito Melitensi
Cross pro Merito Melitensi with Plaque
Cross pro Merito Melitensi with Crown
Cross pro Merito Melitensi with Shield
Cross pro Merito Melitensi

For the Military:

Grand Cross with Swords pro Merito Melitensi – Special Class
Grand Cross with Swords pro Merito Melitensi
Grand Officer with Swords pro Merito Melitensi
Commander with Swords pro Merito Melitensi
Officer with Swords pro Merito Melitensi
Cross with Swords pro Merito Melitensi.

The Cross of the Order pro Merito Melitensi for ecclesiastics has the following grades:

Grand Cross “pro piis meritis” pro Merito Melitensi
Cross “pro piis meritis” pro Merito Melitensi

The Gold Medal is reserved for those who have assisted the Order of Malta putting their lives at risk.

The Medal of the Order pro Merito Melitensi has three grades:

For Civilians (men and women):Gold Medal
Silver Medal
Bronze Medal

For the Military:

Gold Medal with Swords
Silver Medal with Swords
Bronze Medal with Swords

The Decrees for assignments and promotions in the various grades of the Order pro Merito Melitensi are entered in the General Register of Decrees and their details are transcribed in the Roll of the Decorated.

Campaign Medal:

For specific emergencies, the Sovereign Council can identify missions that deserve to be recognized with a ‘Campaign Medal’, a tangible sign of the special contribution made by the Order of Malta’s members and volunteers. The first Campaign Medal – established in 2020 – is for the Covid-19 emergency.

In 2022, the Sovereign Council established the Medal for the Ukraine Emergency