Retiring to Malta

We take the time to understand your situation. During a one-to-one chat - either over the phone or via video call - we'll look at your pension setup, your income, and what you want out of your retirement. You'll find out if the Global Residence Programme is an option for you and what the logical next steps would be. There's no hard sell and absolutely no obligation.

The GRP is a special residency scheme for non-working individuals moving to Malta. You pay a flat 15% tax rate on foreign income remitted to Malta, subject to a minimum tax payment of EUR 15,000 per year. Income that isn't brought into Malta isn't taxed there. You also need to rent or buy a property in Malta and have valid health insurance.

Your UK pensions will still be paid out to you - that doesn't change. For tax purposes, the UK-Malta Double Tax Treaty applies. Generally, your pension will be taxed in Malta at the 15% GRP rate rather than in the UK. However, the exact treatment depends on the type of pension - the State Pension, private pensions, and civil service pensions are all handled differently. We'll clarify exactly how this works for you during the consultation.

To qualify for the GRP, you need health insurance that covers you in Malta. Many UK retirees use their GHIC or an S1 form for basic coverage, but supplement this with private health insurance. Malta's public healthcare system is excellent and free for residents, while private hospitals offer much shorter waiting times. We'll advise you on the best setup for your specific health needs.

The GRP requires Malta to become your primary tax residence. In practice, this means you need to genuinely relocate. Keeping a property in the UK is fine, but you need to be careful about how much time you spend there, as HMRC might still consider you a UK tax resident if you overstay. Leaving the UK tax system needs to be planned carefully - and we'll guide you through it.

Absolutely. You can submit a joint GRP application as a married couple or civil partners. The requirements then apply to the household as a whole. Many of our clients move to Malta as a couple. During our consultation, we'll take both partners' incomes and personal situations into account.

From the initial consultation to getting your GRP application approved usually takes between 3 and 6 months. The actual processing time by the Maltese tax authorities is around 8 to 12 weeks. The rest of the time is spent gathering your documents and finding a suitable property. We'll keep you updated on the progress and handle any questions from the authorities.

The initial consultation is completely free and without obligation. We'll discuss our fees for the GRP application and relocation support transparently before you decide to hire us. You'll know exactly what it costs upfront - no hidden fees and no nasty surprises. We work with fixed prices so you can budget properly.

You can return to the UK at any time. You would simply notify HMRC, resume your UK tax residency, and give up your GRP status in Malta. It's important to plan your return carefully from a tax perspective to avoid any unintended consequences. We're happy to discuss this scenario during the initial consultation - we want you to feel secure, even if you change your mind down the line.

Yes, a massive one. Malta has a long shared history with the UK, and there are countless British pubs, clubs, and social groups across the island. English is an official language, so you'll have absolutely no trouble communicating in shops, restaurants, or with doctors. While worrying about feeling isolated is completely normal, most expats find it incredibly easy to make friends and settle in.

Malta has good care homes and at-home nursing services. The standards are high, though the sector is smaller than in the UK. There are private facilities available for specialised care or dementia support. We recommend thinking about this early on - setting up a living will and power of attorney under Maltese law is part of sensible planning. And if returning to the UK eventually makes more sense medically, we can help you manage the transition.