Malta is a very popular place to live, and there are many reasons for this. It is a beautiful, small, independent country in a fortunate location near Italy, which means it has a temperate climate for most of the year. It has the benefit of having had an extraordinary history of invasion by many different nationalities over the centuries, and this has left its mark culturally.
In modern times, Malta has become a technological hub, and the Malta digital nomad visa is helping to attract many young people and startup businesses.
Capitalising on the recent increase in digital nomadism, Malta has incentivised remote workers and businesses to relocate by offering fast and reliable internet, excellent coworking and coliving facilities, and a fantastic lifestyle.
The tax rate offered by the digital nomad visa is one of the most attractive anywhere in the world.
The first year of the visa is tax-free, and subsequent years will only see you pay tax at a rate of 10%.
As one of the main languages spoken in Malta is English, the traffic drives on the left, and even the plug sockets conform to the UK’s standards, Malta is perfectly suited for people from the UK who would like to move there.
For an island with just over half a million inhabitants, Malta has a surprisingly diverse range of places to live. From the UNESCO world-heritage city of Valletta to the lively ports of St Julian’s and Sliema to the rugged beauty of Gozo. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages which we will outline below.
Valletta is the capital of Malta and a truly stunning city with impressive architecture and landscapes. It has UNESCO World Heritage Site status, and it is very easy to see why.
The impressive cannon batteries overlooking the harbour are a reminder of Malta’s martial past, and the brilliant fireworks festivals paint the skies in colours.
For all of its antiquity, Valletta is a vibrant city that is full of life. It has fantastic bars, restaurants, and nightlife to suit all budgets.
There are long shopping streets filled with an intriguing mixture of small local boutiques and well-known international brands and side streets lined with popular bars that spill out onto the pavement.
There is a long promenade by the sea, and Sliema is popular with joggers and people who value fitness. It is a resort town that is known for its architecture and is a great place to spend some time people-watching and chilling.
There are many international shops, cafes and restaurants, which makes it a popular haunt for ex-pats from all over the world.
This is the heart of the nightlife scene for the younger crowd who frequent Malta, and most of the major clubs are based in the Paceville district.
It’s not the place to come if you are looking for a quiet time, but if you are prepared for the potential noise, it is a tremendous tourist-friendly place to stay for a while.
There is no shortage of local amenities, including a casino, cinema and even a bowling alley and laser tag, should you fancy a different challenge.
Gozo is a stunning, rugged island, a short ferry trip from St Julian’s. It is well worth a visit. There are walks around the 75km island that vary in difficulty and intensity.
This area is highly archeologically interesting, and the Ta’ Pinu National Shrine is well worth a visit.
Accommodation is cheaper on Gozo than in much of Malta, and this should be a consideration when choosing where to base yourself.
Many people want to investigate the cost of living in Malta before committing to move there for at least six months, and this is a sensible precaution. The monthly cost of living in Malta is not considered high, especially compared with many destinations in central Europe. In comparison to Ireland, it is 17.5% less expensive.
The most expensive places to stay are also the most tourist-focused, with a one-bedroom apartment in Sliema or St Julian’s costing anywhere from 500 to 600 euros per month and larger or more comfortable apartments costing more, sometimes up to 1,000 Euros per month.
Most locals in Malta shop at one of the large supermarkets, which helps keep costs down considerably. Supermarkets such as Carrefour and Lidl abound in most of the major centres of population.
Rental can cost between 500 Euros to 1,000 Euros per person per month in many areas, depending on the location and type of accommodation.
This may or may not include electricity and utilities, which can be a further 100 Euros per month.
Grocery costs can be estimated at 200 Euros to 250 Euros per month per person.
Monthly transport passes can cost as little as 15 Euros.
A monthly gym pass can range from 60 to 100 euros.
Malta offers many transportation options, including regular bus services, taxis, bikes, ferries, and car hire. Most locals make use of the plentiful public transport options, which are relatively inexpensive.
Having become a technology hub and home to many business startups, Malta has many ex-pats who have moved there from all around the world, and it is easy to get to know people.
One of the best ways to get involved in the community is to stay at a coliving facility such as Evolve, where you will meet like-minded people and have the chance to bond with them over the course of your stay.
Malta is an easy place to work, with a good cafe culture and a temperate year-round climate offering many chances to work al fresco.
There will be many networking opportunities as Malta feels very connected, with a great many people either working on a side-hustle or for one of the many startups that have based themselves there due to the excellent taxation options.
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