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Moving to Malta from the UK

Costs, Visas and Living in Malta

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Moving to Malta from UK is an exciting opportunity to experience island life in the heart of the Mediterranean! With warm temperatures and a vibrant, English-speaking culture, it’s a top destination for expats. In this relocating to Malta guide, we’ll walk you through the moving costs, visa options, retiring in Malta, and what’s it like to live in Malta.

Costs of Moving to Malta from UK

When planning your international move, you’re probably wondering: “How much money do I need to move to Malta?” Let’s give you an idea of what to budget for.

The average cost of moving to Malta from UK ranges between £1,500 and £5,000. Your exact costs are based on the distance, volume, container type, and optional services.

The cost of moving to Malta depends on the moving company, distance, volume, and season. During peak season, the moving costs can be higher.

When hiring a moving company to Malta, the price breakdown usually includes the costs of shipping, packing and loading, transportation to the port, and additional fees for insurance and services like storage. Here’s how much it costs to move to Malta from UK.

VolumeAverage cost
One-bedroom house£1,500 – £2,000
Three-bedroom house£2,875 – £5,000

Disclaimer: The prices above are estimates.

When moving furniture from the UK to Malta, you can save money by sharing a container (part-load service) and choosing sea freight over air freight. Sea freight is the most popular and cost-effective way to move to Malta from the UK.

Get a personalised quote for your relocating to Malta from UK:

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International Moving Companies From UK to Malta

The right international mover will make relocating to Malta a breeze! It’s best to work with a moving company with experience in shipping overseas. At Sirelo, you can browse hundreds of movers throughout the UK, read trusted reviews, and get familiar with their services.

Top international moving companies to Malta from UK:

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Malta Visa Requirements for UK Residents

UK citizens can move to Malta without a visa for short stays up to 90 days within a 180-day period. This includes tourism, business meetings, cultural or sports events, and short-term studies or training. You’ll need a Malta residence permit if you stay longer than 90 days or want to work in Malta.

Obtaining a Visa for Malta from UK

As a UK citizen, you need a visa for Malta to live and work there long-term. Let’s look at the different options for obtaining a visa for Malta.

  1. Long-Stay National Visa (Type D Visa): A national visa is required for long-term moves to work, study, or reunite with family. This visa is needed to obtain a residence permit. You’ll need proof of purpose, sufficient funds, and health coverage.
  2. Single Permit: This permit combines work and residence, and is typically valid for one year with annual renewance. You need a job offer from a Maltese employer, who sponsors you. This visa is generally for those employed in Malta, without additional investments or business activities.
  3. Self-Employment Permit: This visa is for freelancers and business owners. You’ll need to prove that you contribute to the Maltese economy through investment, innovation, or job creation, and have sufficient financial resources.
  4. Digital Nomad Visa: Visa for remote workers, freelancers, and digital entrepreneurs. You need proof that you work remotely for a company or clients outside Malta, meet a minimum income threshold, and have health coverage. The digital nomad visa is usually valid for one year and can be renewed.
  5. Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP): This programme is for property investments, government contributions, and charitable donations to registered philanthropic organisations in Malta.
  6. Malta Exceptional Investor Naturalisation (MEIN): A citizenship-by-investment scheme to obtain Maltese citizenship. You must (significantly) invest in government-approved financial instruments, contribute to the National Development and Social Fund, and meet property requirements.
  7. Student Visa: Students of educational courses that last longer than 90 days will need a student visa. You need to prove enrollment in a recognised Maltese school, sufficient funds to cover tuition fees and living expenses, and valid health insurance.

How to Apply for Malta Work Visa

Most UK citizens will apply for the Malta work visa called the “single permit”, which combines residency with work authorization. To apply for this Malta work visa, you need to:

  1. Secure an employment offer from a Maltese employer.
  2. Have your employer submit the visa application on your behalf through Malta’s Employment and Training Corporation (ETC).
  3. Provide documents like a valid passport, job contract, proof of qualifications, and health insurance.
  4. Wait for approval (which can take several weeks) and receive a residence permit.

Working in Malta as a UK Citizen

Post-Brexit, UK citizens will need a single permit to work and reside in Malta long-term. Malta offers opportunities in finance, IT, healthcare, or tourism, although these can be limited for foreigners. Most companies are relaxed yet professional, with English being widely spoken. The living expenses are more affordable than in the UK, but Maltese wages are lower.

Retiring to Malta from UK

If you want to retire in Malta and enjoy the favourable tax rates on foreign income, the Malta Retirement Programme (MRP) is the correct visa to apply for. To qualify, you must meet these requirements:

  • You need to be 65 years or older.
  • You need sufficient income from pensions, investments, or other sources.
  • You must rent or buy property in Malta as your main residence.
  • You need to provide proof of private health insurance coverage.

Moving to Malta With Family

Can I move to Malta with my family? The answer is yes! Your family can move to Malta indefinitely through the Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP).

Malta has a vibrant expat community. The island is small and tight-knit, making it easy to build a network. Housing and services are affordable, but wages are lower too. There are public, private, and international schools. Public schools are free until age 16.

Moving to Malta With Pets

You can move to Malta with pets if they’re dogs, cats, or ferrets that are at least 15 weeks old. Animals such as rabbits, birds, reptiles, and rodents are prohibited. There are the rules around pet immigration in Malta:

  • Pets need be microchipped with an ISO 11784/11785 compliant 15-digit microchip.
  • Pets have to be vaccinated against rabies 21 days before entering Malta.
  • Dogs need a tapeworm treatment between 24 to 120 hours before arrival in Malta.
  • Pets need an EU pet passport or veterinary health certificate from a licensed vet.
  • Share the details of your pet’s arrival by submitting a pre-notification of arrival to the Veterinary Regulation Directorate in Malta.
  • Transport your pet in an IATA-approved carrier.

Living in Malta

You’re probably curious about what’s it like to live in Malta. Foreigners moving to Malta get excited about the warm climate and things to do. You can visit charming villages but also go to music and cultural festivals, relax at serene coastline spots, or explore the rich history. Both families and individuals moving to Malta feel at home quickly.

What’s it Like to Live in Malta

Living in Malta is often described as being laid-back while having city amenities. The summers are long and sunny, and the winters are mild. The Maltese kitchen is influenced by the Mediterranean and Italian cuisine. Because the island is small, everything is easily accessible. As a drawback, areas like Valletta and Sliema can be heavily congested.

Is Malta a Good Place to Live?

Yes, Malta is considered a good place to live. There are low crime rates, interesting job opportunities, good (international) schools, and a strong healthcare system. The pace of life is slower compared to the UK and English is widely spoken, also in schools and at work. While the island may not be as exciting as larger UK cities, its peaceful setting and modern living make Malta a great place to call home for British citizens.

Cost to Live in Malta vs the UK

Without rent, the cost of living in Malta vs the UK is roughly 34.6% lower. Rent prices in places like Valletta, Malta are more than 50% cheaper compared to London, and you’ll save on groceries and restaurants too. That said, the local purchasing power in Valletta is 19% lower than in London, due to the lower net salaries in Malta.

Let’s compare the living expenses in Malta to the UK.

ItemLondon, UKValletta, Malta
Meal (Inexpensive Restaurant)£20.00£16.60
Pint of Beer£6.00£3.52
Regular Cappuccino£3.72£2.15
Eggs (dozen)£3.60£2.36
Single Transport Ticket£2.80£1.87
Monthly Rent (1-bed, City Centre)£2,203.26£940.54
Monthly Rent (1-bed, Outside of Centre)£1,636.67£762.46
Average Monthly Salary (After Tax)£3,262.87£1,528.39

Source: Numbeo

Pros and Cons of Moving to Malta

Moving to Malta is not a decision to take lightly. As with every international move, there’s the good and the bad. Below are the pros and cons of moving to Malta.

Pros

 Warm Mediterranean climate
 English is widely spoken
 Easily accessible amenities
 Affordable cost of living
 Welcoming and friendly expat community
 Safe with low crime rates
 Vibrant social life with festivals and events
 Good public transportation system
 Modern roads and short commutes

Cons

 Crowded urban areas
 Limited jobs for non-EU nationals
 High tourism during peak seasons
 Limited shopping
 Longer waiting times in public healthcare
 Limited space due to the island’s small size
 Hot summers

Moving to Malta Checklist

There are some things to know before moving to Malta from the UK.

  1. Select the right visa (Work Visa, Retirement Visa, Permanent Residency, etc.)
  2. If needed, secure a job with a Maltese employer
  3. Apply for the visa with your passport, health insurance, proof of income or job contract
  4. Find accommodation to live in Malta
  5. Organise healthcare (public or private)
  6. Arrange schooling for children, if moving to Malta with a family
  7. Contact international movers and arrange overseas shipping
  8. Organise and pack your belongings
  9. Open a Maltese bank account
  10. Register with Maltese authorities for residency and obtain your ID card

Frequently asked questions

How Far Is Malta From the UK?

Can I Move to Malta From UK?

How Easy Is It to Move to Malta From UK?

Can a British Citizen Move to Malta?