Susan MeierMany of our clients relocating to Malta are moving with their families. Naturally, one of the first questions we hear is about the education system: How is it structured? What are the standards? Is it comparable to what they are used to back home?
Sabrina Krainer, a key member of the DW&P team and a mother living in Malta, shares her personal insights below on the fundamentals of raising children on the island, followed by answers to the most frequently asked questions.
Family Life in Malta: The Basics
Generally speaking, Malta is an incredibly child-friendly nation. The Maltese people love children—especially the older generation. When my children were still in prams, locals would frequently stop to take a look, smile, and offer a blessing ("God bless"). While social interactions have changed slightly since the pandemic, the warmth towards children remains a staple of the culture.
Maltese society is very family-oriented. It is common for multiple generations to live under one roof or in very close proximity, supporting one another. Unlike in some other European countries where long parental leaves are the norm, many Maltese mothers return to the workforce just four months after giving birth. Consequently, grandparents often play a major role, looking after the little ones or picking them up from nursery.
One reason for the quick return to work is the structure of state support. While there is a Children's Allowance and specific tax benefits for parents, the direct cash allowance is relatively modest (historically around €33.33 per child for some brackets, though this varies). However, a significant benefit for working families is the "Parental Rate"—a preferential tax band applicable to parents, which can lower your overall income tax liability.
Maternity Leave in Malta
Statutory maternity leave in Malta is generally 18 weeks (roughly 4 months). A mother typically takes 4 weeks before the due date and 14 weeks after. This means many babies are at home with their mothers for the first three to four months.
The exact handling of maternity leave can vary slightly depending on the employer and your contract, so it is always a matter of negotiation and company policy.
Not every parent is ready to send a 3-month-old infant to nursery. Therefore, mothers have the option to take an additional 6 months of unpaid leave, known as parental leave, which is regulated by law. By the end of this period, the baby is around 9 to 10 months old. This is the age at which most children in Malta enter childcare or kindergarten.
The Free Childcare Scheme
For working parents, Malta offers a massive benefit: The Free Childcare Scheme.
If both parents are working (or studying), childcare for children up to the age of 3 is provided free of charge. The government pays for this service regardless of whether you choose a state-run or a registered private childcare centre.
This is a significant financial relief for families and entrepreneurs moving to the island. Given the generally low tax rates for companies and individuals in Malta, this added benefit makes the jurisdiction extremely attractive for young families.
A Quick Look at Social Security Costs
To give you an idea of the costs involved in the system, here is a brief calculation regarding social security (National Insurance):
An employee with a weekly gross income of at least €499.74 pays approximately €49.97 per week in social security contributions. This covers health insurance and pension contributions. If an employee earns less than this threshold, their contribution is 10% of their weekly income.
Important: The €49.97 figure mentioned above is effectively a cap. Even if you earn €3,000 a week, your social security contribution does not exceed this maximum capped amount. This cap is a distinct advantage for high earners compared to systems in countries like France or Germany.
Kindergartens in Malta: A Cultural Comparison
Clients often ask us to compare Maltese kindergartens with those in the UK or DACH region. Since cultural norms differ, direct comparisons can be tricky.
One cultural difference I noticed personally involves television. In Malta, it is often considered acceptable for children to watch TV as part of their downtime—something that is viewed more critically in other Northern European countries. Depending on the facility, you might find that children in state kindergartens watch TV during the day.
As I preferred a screen-free environment for my children, I spent a long time looking for a nursery that did not include TV in its daily routine. It wasn't easy to find, and it meant driving further than my local school, but you have to set your priorities. If you want specific standards, you may need to look outside your immediate village.
I eventually chose Casa Maria Montessori in Birkirkara. Looking back, it was the best decision for my child. I recommend it to clients with confidence.
In my opinion, the educational approach there was outstanding. If you aren't familiar with the Montessori method: it operates on the premise that children between 3 and 5 have an immense capacity to learn without perceiving it as "work." They learn through play and exploration. As a result, my children could already do basic addition before starting formal schooling. This head start helped build their confidence significantly.
The Montessori motto is essentially "Help me to do it myself." I learned a lot as a mother from this school—specifically, what young children are actually capable of. From setting the table to pouring their own water, children as young as 18 months are taught independence playfully and without pressure.
The groups are mixed-age, meaning the younger ones learn by watching the older children, mimicking them, and gaining independence.
Another fascinating aspect was that every toy had a purpose. For example, a "game" involving transferring water between two containers was actually designed to build hand muscle strength and hand-eye coordination.
Furthermore, raising children bilingually in Malta is a huge advantage. My children picked up English effortlessly alongside their native language.
The School System in Malta
Malta's education system is closely modelled on the British system, which is helpful for UK expats, though there are differences.
State Schools: While English is an official language, state schools often conduct certain subjects in Maltese. This is great for integration if you arrive when your children are very young. However, for older children who do not speak Maltese, this can be a hurdle.
Private and Independent Schools: Many expats prefer private or independent schools where the curriculum is delivered 100% in English (with Maltese often available as a subject).
If your child grows up in Malta from a young age, the bilingual nature of state schools is not a problem—they absorb the language naturally. However, if you are moving with older children (e.g., age 10+), a private English-speaking school is usually the smoother path.
School Starting Age: Children in Malta start formal schooling at age 5. This is similar to the UK system (Reception/Year 1) but earlier than in countries like Germany or the US, where school often starts at 6 or 7. Because they start earlier, children here are often academically ahead of their continental European peers in terms of reading and writing at the same age.
It might sound complex at first, but once you understand the distinction between State, Church, and Independent schools, it becomes clear. The most important thing is finding a school where your child feels happy. Schools here are generally very open to explaining their systems to expat parents.
A Real-Life Example: Relocating with a 5-Year-Old
Let me share a practical example of a family who moved to Malta in August 2020 with their 5-year-old son. The boy had attended kindergarten in his home country but spoke no English.
Upon arrival, he was enrolled in school (Year 1) as is standard for 5-year-olds here. Initially, it was challenging. He couldn't understand the language and struggled to communicate with the teacher or other students who didn't speak his native tongue.
However, the support system was excellent. The teacher was incredibly dedicated, giving the parents daily updates. While the boy was restless at first—transitioning from a play-based kindergarten back home to a school desk in Malta is a big shift—he adapted.
The Result: The first few months were tough, but after just 5 months, he was chatting in English, had made friends, and enjoyed going to school. The resilience of children is amazing. Those few months of struggle were absolutely worth it for the bilingual fluency he gained.
Summary
Malta is a very safe country for children. Because the island is home to so many international residents, both parents and children usually find it easy to make friends and build a social circle.
The fact that children grow up bilingually (English is an official language) is a massive advantage. While state schools differ from what you might be used to in the UK or Europe, you always have the option of private institutions that follow a strict British curriculum or an international baccalaureate program.
If you have further questions about the Maltese school system or general questions about relocating your family, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Do you have questions or need advice?
We are happy to guide you.
Use the form to send us a direct inquiry for a free initial consultation. We are happy to answer your questions about living in Malta and evaluate whether a company formation or relocation makes sense for your specific situation.
