Moving to Malta

Moving to Malta is especially popular among expats from the United Kingdom, who are drawn by the sunny lifestyle and the fact that English is widely spoken.

Malta is one of the smallest countries in the world, with a land area of just over 300 square kilometres and a population of about 460,000 people. It offers beautiful weather, diverse culture and an opportunity to live and work in the Mediterranean.

The island’s location means that it has been sought-after through the ages, from Ancient Greece to the British Empire. As a result, it has a rich history commemorated through various UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the chambers of the Hypogeum, the world’s only prehistoric underground temple. Valletta, the capital city, was established by the Knights of Saint John and is a listed heritage site in its own right. 

Along with Maltese, English is the official language of Malta and is spoken by 90 percent of the population, while many locals also speak Italian.

Malta boasts an enviable climate, with around 3,000 hours of sunshine per year. The beach is never far away and Malta is consistently named in surveys as one of the safest countries in the world with regards to natural disasters.

The Maltese road network is constantly being improved thanks to EU funding, but many roads are narrow and poorly surfaced, which can make driving difficult. There is a small but effective public transport network of buses run by Malta Public Transport.

Citizens from elsewhere in the EU are free to live and work in Malta; however, the country places tight restrictions on immigration for non-EU citizens looking for a working visa for Malta.

Fast facts

Population: Around 460,000

Capital city: Valletta (also largest city)

Neighbouring countries: Malta is an island nation so shares no physical borders with any other country, but is located south of the Italian island of Sicily and east of Tunisia.

Geography: Malta is an archipelago located in the Mediterranean Sea. There are three inhabited islands: the main island of Malta, and the smaller islands of Gozo and Comino. 

Political system: Unitary constitutional parliamentary republic

Major religion: Roman Catholicism

Main languages: Maltese is the national language. English is also spoken and widely understood, as is Italian.

Currency: The currency of Malta is the Euro (EUR), which is divided into 100 cents. It is relatively easy for expats to open a bank account in Malta.

Tipping: Tipping is customary in Malta. Between 5 and 10 percent is common if a service charge isn't already included.

Time: GMT+1 (GMT+2 from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October)

Electricity: 230V, 50Hz. Flat three-pin plugs are standard.

Internet domain: .mt

International dialling code: +356

Emergency contacts: 112

Transport and driving: Cars drive on the left-hand side of the road. Malta has an established transport network consisting of buses and taxis.