Cost of living in Malta – rent, food and doctors

When you think about moving to another country, you usually wonder how high the cost of living is. This is also an important factor to consider when moving to Malta. Depending on where you lived before, Malta can seem either more expensive or cheaper. But what is more important is the cost of living in relation to income or how much you are willing to spend. In this article I would like to tell you a bit more about the cost of living in Malta.

Rent

If you move to Malta, you will probably rent an apartment. As in most other countries, the amount of rent depends on where you want to live and more popular or upmarket areas are more expensive than others. Many foreigners choose to live in Sliema or St. Julians as the nightlife is best there and many companies also have their offices in this central location. However, a 1-2 room apartment will most likely cost at least €600 – €700 per month, if not more. A room in a shared flat is usually cheaper. However, if you want to live a little further out from these places, then renting can be much cheaper and it is possible to get an apartment from €500 per month.

Eating out

As Malta is also a very popular country for tourists, there are many restaurants that cater to almost every taste. There are many restaurants where you can get great food for little money and you can expect to spend €15-20 for a meal including drinks, which is at the lower end of the spectrum. Of course, there are also more expensive restaurants that offer special food in a sophisticated atmosphere.

Healthcare

If you work in Malta then your healthcare is covered by social security contributions which are automatically deducted from your salary. Every resident in Malta receives free treatment and the costs are covered by social security. You can get free treatments in the health centers or in the Mater Dei hospital. However, you can also take out private health insurance or visit a doctor on a private bill, but then you will have to pay yourself if you do not have private health insurance. Some pharmacies also offer the opportunity to see a doctor, with a visit costing €15-20.

Food

As Malta is an island nation, a great deal is imported from mainland Europe. However, many fruits and vegetables are grown on the island and these are often cheaper than imported foods. The cost of food also varies depending on which brands you buy and it is much cheaper to shop in a large supermarket rather than a small corner store. There is also the Lidl discount supermarket in Malta. The amount you spend on food in Malta is probably a little bit higher than in other countries, but it won’t make much difference if you live here and earn your money in Malta.