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.
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 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.
Volume | Average 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:
Estimate Cost of My Move to MaltaThe 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:
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.
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.
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:
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.
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:
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
Item | London, UK | Valletta, 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
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.
There are some things to know before moving to Malta from the UK.