Skip to main content
MT flag

Malta

English-speaking EU island in the Mediterranean - ideal European base

81/100
FutureLife Score
#15
FutureLife Index 2026
Save to board
Compare
$2,000
Comfortable/mo
9.4/10
Safety
8.5/10
Healthcare
#50
Happiness rank

Key Scores

81/100
Higher = better
Future Life Score
9.4/10
Safety Index
8.5/10
Healthcare
#50
Lower = happier
Happiness Rank

Why people move to Malta

+English is co-official language - no language barrier
+300 sunny days per year - warmest EU country
+EU member with Schengen access
+Malta Nomad Residence Permit: streamlined process
+Valletta: UNESCO World Heritage capital city
English-friendlyMediterranean EUNomad visa
Culture & context

Tiny, sunny Mediterranean island with a wild mash of Italian, Arab, and British heritage - and the EU's only Semitic official language.

People, religion & languages

Population
~520K
95% urban
Languages
Maltese (Semitic, Arabic-derived) and English (both official)
Also: Italian (widely understood)
Day-to-day English

Effectively native - Malta is functionally bilingual. Government, business, and education in English.

Religion

Among Europe's most Catholic countries - visible in festivals, processions, and town life.

Catholic
83%
No affiliation
11%
Other
6%
In daily life

Highly visible - village patron-saint festas (June–Sept) define summer; church bells, processions, fireworks.

Culture & etiquette

What locals value and what to watch for

FamilyFaithHospitalityPride in tiny sizeVillage identity
Do
  • Respect church-area dress codes (cover shoulders/knees)
  • Sunday lunch with family is sacred
  • Take village festa season seriously - fireworks every weekend
Avoid
  • Calling Malta 'just like Italy' - distinct culture and language
  • Driving aggressively (already chaotic; you'll add to it)
  • Loud beach behaviour in residential areas
Pace of life

Slow, sunny, social. Summer afternoons quiet; evenings buzzing.

Expat-friendliness

Very. Large expat community, English-language services, easy EU residency routes (though tightening).

Holidays & food culture

Pastry-heavy Mediterranean cuisine with British colonial touches. Rabbit (fenek) is the national dish.

PastizziFenkata (rabbit stew)FtiraImqaretLampuki pie
Mealtimes

Lunch 13:00–15:00, dinner 19:30–22:00.

Dietary norms

Veg options improving rapidly with expat influx; meat and seafood traditional.

Major holidays
February
Carnival
February 10
St Paul's Shipwreck
March 31
Freedom Day
December 13
Republic Day
June–September
Village festas
Every village has its patron-saint weekend
December 25
Christmas

Work culture & business norms

Working weekMonday–Friday
Hours08:30–17:00; summer 'flexitime' often shifts to 07:00–14:00 (Bolla).
HierarchyModerate. Family-business culture strong; multinationals flatter.
PunctualityFlexible by Northern European standards.
Meeting stylePersonal and relationship-driven; chat first, business after.
Business attireSmart casual in heat; suits in finance/iGaming sector.
Monthly cost snapshot
Comfortable lifestyle$2,000/mo
Semi-Luxury lifestyle$3,700/mo
Luxury lifestyle$6,900/mo

Single person, before income tax

AI affordability check
At $4,000/month remote income you'd have $2,000 surplus after budget-tier costs - saving 50% of your income.
Get personalised match →

Quick facts

LanguageMaltese / English
CurrencyEUR
Internet85 Mbps avg
EnglishVery High
Future Life Score81/100
Future Life Rank#15
PR pathModerate · 5 yrs
Citizenship5 yrs
Passport rank#8
Visa-free187 countries
Income tax35% top rate
VAT18%
CapitalValletta
Best airportsMLA (Malta)
Coastline253 km Mediterranean
Population~520K
Avg temp21°C / 70°F

Visa options

Malta Nomad Residence PermitEasy
EU Freedom of MovementEasy
MRVP Global Residence ProgrammeModerate
Compare Malta with another →
Planning your move to Malta?
Trusted partners · Affiliate links
Skyscanner
Compare flights
→
Wise
Send money, no fees
→
SafetyWing
Expat health from $45
→
Airbnb
Short-stay apartments
→