Life as an Expat in Malta
Moving my life from Germany to Malta
There’s no question that Malta is a popular and attractive destination for expats who are out on the hunt for the sun and easy life. It’s hard to beat 300 days of sunshine in a year. For heat lovers, Malta’s summers are as close to perfection as it gets. There’s no shortage of sun and heat between the months of June and October – just stock up on sunscreen and head out!
A Relaxed and Laid-Back Lifestyle
Laid back lifestyle, proximity to the sea and 300 days of sunshine certainly allows for a reduced stress, compared to most other places in Europe. Life in Malta is mostly very slow-paced and relaxed, suiting well to those having trouble escaping from the daily rat race.
Friendly and Welcoming Locals
The Maltese are one of the nicest and kindest people that you will ever meet. Especially in smaller towns and villages, most people are always ready to go out of their way to help you in any way, shape or form, and unlike many other tourist destinations, foreigners are rarely taken advantage of.
Job Opportunities for Expats
Entry level jobs are always easy to find, especially in late spring and early summer, when many tourist establishments expand their number of staff. There are many international companies in Malta – mostly in the fields of finance and iGaming – creating a fair number of specialist jobs that usually pay much better than most local companies. These firms are also often on the lookout for speakers of foreign languages, especially German speaking expats. Taxation in Malta can be very attractive, especially for International companies benefiting from one of the various “tax refund” schemes. Malta is also a relatively stable environment, with low risk of political or financial instability.
English as the Language of Communication
English is an official language of Malta (alongside Maltese) and is widely spoken. You can expect to find all government forms and documents in English, as well as all road signs, restaurant menus, and other crucial bits of information.
Safety and Security
When it comes to violent crime, Malta is an extremely safe country. According to Eurostat, Malta has only 0.3 violent crime incidents per 1,000 inhabitants. Of other EU countries, only Cyprus compares.
Infrastructure and Connectivity
Again owing to its small size, the country is very well connected with water and electricity. Internet connectivity, water and electricity. A very good Internet connectivity is abundant as well.
Free Healthcare in Malta
All healthcare in Malta is free. As long as you’re employed, you can head to the Mater Day Hospital (or the Gozo General Hospital if you’re in Gozo) and get any necessary treatments free of charge. According to a 2012 report by PWC, Malta ranks amongst the top 6 in the EU for the overall quality of healthcare as well.
Affordable Private Health Insurance
Private health insurance in Malta is extremely inexpensive. Where simple in-patient plans go for as low as €90 a year, a payment of around €350 a year will get you full cover, allowing you to see doctors at one of the many private clinics and hospitals and avoid the queues of the public clinics.
Stable Banking Sector
Largely due to comprehensive and strict government regulations, the banking sector in Malta is healthy, and the general consensus is that it doesn’t face the same risks that Cyprus or some other EU countries have. There are several major banks, including both local ones like the Bank of Valletta, and foreign chains like HSBC (UK) and Banif (Portugal).
Quality Education
Education in Malta is generally of good quality and state schools are free of charge. For higher education, the University of Malta offers a number of majors and the tuition is generally affordable. Private schools are also plentiful, and rather inexpensive compared to many other European countries.
A Fulfilling Life in Malta
My Favorite Places to Visit and Things to Do in MALTA
The Malta Islands (Malta, Gozo and Comino) have an intriguing heritage encircled by the bottomless azure waters of the Mediterranean Sea to the south of Sicily. The islands claim an ancient history with the ruins of the oldest existing buildings. There is a unique north-African presence, close to Tunisia. Maltese is a combination of mixed Arabic and Italian.
Under the bright sunshine, the palm-tree countryside of Malta is adorned with scenic hilltop towns, harmonious seaports, and ancient fishing villages. The country is proud of the peerless Malta Knights, who waged war against the Turks and initiated the Crusades.
1. Valletta: Malta’s Elegant Capital
Valletta is the elegant capital of the Republic of Malta. The entire city is testimony to the grandeur of the Knights of Malta, the European noblemen who were granted the Maltese Islands by the King of Spain in 1530. The Knights created a capital worthy of their aristocratic stature, on par with other great European capitals. Valletta’s regular grid plan and orderly public squares reveal the Knights’ logical 16th-century urban planning. You can easily navigate this small city that is bounded by two harbors: the Grand Harbor and Marsamxett Harbor. It takes less than an hour to walk across the entire city.
2. The Idyllic Island of Gozo
The Island of Gozo is the most idyllic destination of the Maltese Islands. With its quiet towns and pristine beaches, this little island is the perfect place to enjoy a relaxing vacation for several days or even a weeklong stay. Although Gozo is less developed than Malta, the island has plenty of cultural attractions: a fortified medieval city, Victoria; a bustling seaside resort, Marsalforn; and the most important archaeological site of the Maltese Islands, Ġgantija Temples, dating back to around 3500 BCE. The countryside of Gozo offers a delightful retreat from the modern world. A patchwork of small farms covers the island’s valleys and rolling hills. A favorite beach is at Ramla Bay with a wide, sandy shore and gentle waters that are safe for swimming.
3. The Medieval Hilltop Town of Mdina
Step back in time and experience the allure of a walled medieval town. You must pass through the dramatic Main Gate to enter Mdina. Within the city’s immense, ancient ramparts is a delightful world of car-free streets and beautiful, old sandstone buildings. The entire town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, brimming with historic monuments and cultural attractions such as its glorious Baroque cathedral, the 17th-century Carmelite Priory, and several old aristocratic palaces.
4. Blue Lagoon, Island of Comino: Nature’s Perfect Swimming Pool
The Blue Lagoon is a mesmerizing scene of crystal-clear turquoise waters lapping over a white-sand seabed. This expansive lagoon gives the impression of being a giant swimming pool because the water is temperate, there are no waves. The lagoon has a small beach with umbrellas and lounge chairs available for rent. The other option is sunbathing on the scorching-hot rocky hillside.
5. Ghajn Tuffieha Bay and Gnejna Bay and Golden Bay Beaches
Ghajn Tuffieha Bay Beach feels secluded in nature, except for the umbrellas and lounge chairs for rent, public restrooms, and a snack bar. Considered one of Malta’s top beaches, Ghajn Tuffieha is favored by locals who appreciate the quiet, peaceful environment. The waters are safe for swimming except when the red flag is up (indicating strong currents). Continuing seven more kilometers from Ghajn Tuffieha Bay is Gnejna Bay, a small, protected bay surrounded by steep limestone cliffs. You must hike down a flight of steep steps to reach the gorgeous orange-sand beach, which is popular with swimmers and snorkelers. Water ski and canoe rentals are also available, as well as public restrooms and food stands. Golden Bay in Northwest Malta is one of the island’s prettiest beaches. This picturesque and well-maintained beach features sheltered sandy shores tucked away behind a mountainous coastline and sloping cliffs.
Living and Working in Malta
The best decision of my life was moving to Malta, I think the reasons are more than obvious… I also love working for my company DW&P. I get many opportunities to develop myself further, to learn, colleagues become friends. Our team is very professional and supports customers and also us as employees in all aspects. The atmosphere is very professional and very friendly, so working feels like a hobby. In every respect, DW&P cares about its employees and customers well beyond the business. I enjoy coming to work every day!
Moving to Malta was the best decision of my life, both privately and professionally.
