The beautiful island of Malta is home to around 500,000 people, and it’s estimated that as many as 15% of them are foreign nationals.
New residents arrive in Malta for a whole host of reasons. The smallest of the EU member states offers sunshine and a relaxed nature all year round. The Mediterranean climate means that summer is long and warm and even the winters stay mild. The island boasts a cheaper cost of living, tax benefits and a thriving expat community.
Visas and Permits
Your ability to enter Malta without a visa will depend on your nationality. EU/EEA member states are welcome to visit the country without a visa for up to 90 days. This will allow you time to hunt for properties, interview for jobs and choose schools for your children. After 90 days, you simply have to register your presence.
This freedom is also granted to countries such as Australia and America, who have specific travel agreements with the Maltese Government, and after 90 days you’ll have to apply for a Uniform Residence Permit.
If you’re coming from a country without a travel agreement, you’ll need to apply for a Schengen Visa. This will require your passport, proof of travel insurance and a cover letter explaining the purpose of your visit. Despite there being a few hoops to jump through in this case, moving to Malta can still be a simple process.
Working in Malta
If you’re coming from the EU or an EEA member state, you won’t need any particular visa or permit to work, only an e-residence card. Applying for this is straightforward and will grant you access to live and work in Malta, as well as healthcare.
If you’re moving to Malta from outside these places, you will need employment already secured. Your new employer will be required to apply for your work permit from the Employment and Training Corporation. They will also have to explain why you are the preferred candidate over someone native to Malta or an EU/EEA member state. Unfortunately, this permit will only be valid for a year.
Some people choose to take temporary work first to allow them to get settled in Malta sooner rather than later.
Once you are employed in Malta, you will be entitled to all the benefits that Maltese nationals are. This will include 25 days of annual leave, plus the countries 14 national holidays.
Living in Malta
Once you’ve secured all the necessary permits and visas that will allow you live in Malta, you can make the move. The process of getting this far can be a little overwhelming, so you could enlist the assistance of a relocation services provider, allowing you to get on with the more fun parts of your move.
Choosing a place to live on such a scenic island is easy, and with a booming housing market, there’s little that could go wrong.
If you’re hoping to settle close to your workplace, you’ll likely be looking at a home close to a town. The largest town in Malta is Birkirkara and is home to 22,000 people. Floriana is a growing urban town with plenty of opportunities for anyone looking to work in finance or the e-commerce industry.
Attard, Balzan, Lija, and Swiegi are popular affluent areas that suit the more affluent elite. In recent years towns like these have also become the choice destination of younger, well-off families.
If you’re hoping for some hustle and bustle and a great nightlife, you can’t go wrong with Sliema or St Julian’s. In total contrast, the island of Gozo just off the coast is the perfect rural destination for anyone searching for the quiet life.
Fortunately, due to the miniature size of the island, you’ll likely be close enough to the busy towns and the quieter, more secluded areas, no matter where you choose to live. It’s no surprise that moving to Malta has become so popular when the island has something to offer every type of expat and residence it’s home to.
