28 Mar Moving to Malta from the UK a guide by Suprememanvan
Malta, a natural beauty, symbol of quiet pace of life, and warm blue waters is truly a dream come true destination for many Britons. And think about when you have to move to Malta from the UK, what peaceful life that would be. If you are moving to Malta with Man and Van Essex you need to think where you should be living, what is the climate like there in winter, and what is the situation with visas?
Malta, an island nation has historically been strongly connected to the United Kingdom, as a part of the British Empire from the year 1814-1964. This is one of the major reasons why so many Britons prefer to hire man and van slough and move to Malta, Europe, after getting attracted to this beautiful island.
The island is located in the Mediterranean Sea, which is almost 80-Km south of Italy. It is to be noted that Malta is the tenth smallest country in the world with its population under 500,000. Because of island location, it has become a major holiday destination which supports the country’s tourism industry.
If you’re planning an international move from a large city in the UK to Malta, you need to be prepared for a slower pace of life with a lot less urgency. Buying a property in Malta isn’t too difficult; you just have to prepare yourself for a lot of tourists visiting the island during warmer months. So, moving to Malta has brought some questions to your mind as to how expensive it is to buy a property in Malta, the cost of living there, and other educational and healthcare facilities that you must know before moving to a new place.
Is Malta Expensive?
Prices in Malta are not mostly different from the UK, with most of the expats living in Malta saying that life is cheaper but there is no significant difference. Getting around the Malta island is cheap with charging very reasonable public transport costs, and outgoings like rent, food and eating out are all a little cheaper than the UK, but again, there is no such difference.
For the convenience of readers, in this article we have prepared a brief overview on how moving to Malta from the UK is going to experience you and what are things you need to be prepared for beforehand. Let’s dive in:
Where to Live in Malta
Moving to Malta from the UK? This means you have to decide on the city in which you will live and reside permanently. The country Malta does not have a huge population but its populated areas are concentrated and seem well crowded. The climate condition also differs a bit there which mostly depends on which part of the country you are living in. For example, the internal cities in the country are hotter than the ones on the seaside. We have provided below some of the top cities in which people choose to move to in Malta:
Valletta: Valletta is naturally the most sought-after relocation destination for most people who move to Malta. It is the capital of the country and to live in the capital means living in the heart of Malta. Valletta was the 2018 European Capital of Culture. In the capital, you can find heaps of historic heritages and an abundance of cultural activities. Since it is the financial capital of Malta, finding work is not very difficult.
St Paul’s Bay: Located in the northern part of Malta, the St Paul’s Bay City is in close proximity to the country’s major beaches Golden Bay, Mellieha Bay and Paradise Bay. It is also only a short distance away from the island of Gozo.
Sliema: The Sliema city offers a very vibrant nightlife and is the perfect destination for young expats who want to meet new people quickly. The city is distanced at a very short ferry ride from Valletta, so you can visit the capital as often as you want to.
Gzira: Gzira offers great picturesque views and its location is also very close to the capital. Living there most certainly will give you the best experience of both the world. You can choose to work in Valletta and live in Gzira because the distance between two only takes a short bus ride. However, if you are in the IT or Gaming sphere, Gzira is the city where the iGaming industry is booming and there are plenty of work opportunities. So, choose accordingly.
How to become a resident of Malta
To answer your question, how to become a permanent resident of Malta, firstly you need to go to its capital Valletta and then submit an application at the Department for Citizenship and Expatriates Affairs. The application can be submitted by sending it via post or by someone else on behalf of you, but the pickup of the documents has to be done by you only. For all those who are planning to move to Malta from the UK, please note that there is no application fee. The entire procedure for application of permanent residency is straightforward, especially when we say for people moving from an EU country.
There are mainly three types of residency in Malta: Ordinary, Permanent and from 2013 – The Malta Global Residency Programme. The essential difference between these three types is based on how much tax you pay as a resident of Malta.
Talking at first about the Ordinary residency, it is for people who are moving from the country within the EU and EEA. Taxation here can be between 0% to 35% of your income based on how much you earn and your marital status. The ordinary residency must be renewed every five years, unlike the permanent residency. The Permanent residency is mainly for people who are moving from countries outside of the EU and EEA. People with a residency from EU and EEA countries can still apply for permanent residency but it is advised to be done after consultation with a lawyer. Lastly, the Malta Global Residency Programme is for people outside of the EEA and EU only. This programme offers special taxation and to apply for this programme, you need to meet specific criteria. Buying or renting a property in Malta or Gozo is one and paying an annual tax liability on your foreign income is another thing.
Transportation in Malta
When you are moving to Malta from the UK, you will find that many of the living costs are much different there in the UK. For example, the UK has one of the most expensive public transportation systems in all of Europe but in Malta, a monthly pass for public transport can cost you about only £22, while in the UK, it would cost you at least £60. Not to mention, commuting in the UK can cost you £100 or more. In the small country of Malta, the transportation prices are far more reasonable and affordable for trains, buses and ferries. A one-way ticket for the bus is about £1.35 which is twice as cheap as that in the UK, although granted the public transportation – mainly busses – are not as reliable as they are in the UK, especially to and from smaller cities, while the capital and other large cities have good organization.
Driving your own car in Malta
Now talking about driving your own car in Malta, don’t worry, your UK driving license will be valid in Malta for up to 12months after your move. After the expiry of the period, you need to submit an application for a Maltese driving permit. One thing that may come as a shock to British expats when driving on Maltese roads is that petrol stations don’t normally accept credit cards. If you want to import your own vehicle into the Malta country, you can but there is a registration tax that you have to pay upon entering the country, which can be quite high. In Malta, you are also allowed to drive on the left side of the road. The speed limits are strictly fixed with 50km/h in cities and villages, and 80km/h on open roads. You should know that because of the densely populated areas and narrow roads of the country where congestions can be often seen. Even a short 25 minute drive can turn into a tedious hour and more. Moreover, you need to have car insurance because traffic accidents are also common. Overall, buses are the preferred means of transportation in the country rather than driving your own vehicle.
Education in Malta
The education system in Malta is based on the British school system. In the country, the primary and secondary schools are compulsory. There are also private schools, state schools, and international schools. Two languages; Maltese and English are made compulsory in schools and both are used as a means for teaching.
Being a student in Malta
How is it like being a student in Malta? Well, there are several public and private universities in Malta, the largest being the University of Malta, which is located in the country’s capital Valletta. The university has around 11,000 students in total, many of which are international students. All of the universities participate in the EU’s Erasmus exchange program. If you are on a shorter program and will be studying for no more than 3-months in Malta, you don’t need a special visa for studying as a UK citizen. The average overall cost of annual tuition in Malta is approximately 1,080 EUR, which is equal to £970. This is the result of lower tuition fees and lower living expenses in Malta as compared to the UK.
Healthcare in Malta
To avail the healthcare facility in Malta, at first, you need to register as a resident, and then you can get a social security number from the Department of Social Security or the District Offices. This social security number includes you in the country’s healthcare system. The system is extensive and covers many medical services, which you get for free. What is covered is specialist treatment, some prescriptions, inpatient care antenatal and postnatal care. There is also a private healthcare system in the country. But how much does the health cover cost you? Usually, it is about 10% of your salary (before tax) + 10% from your employer. However, if one is self-employed, it could go up to 15% of their income. Prescribed medicine is free when you are a hospital patient. However, if you are not, not all prescribed medicine is free. Dental care is not free since most dentists have private practices. In state hospitals and health centers, you could get free emergency dental work done.
Final Remarks
To conclude, it is to say that the Maltese people are nice and kind and happily welcomes everyone. Because of the country’s close relation with the UK, one moving from the UK to Malta would not have to feel much like you are in a foreign country. There is plenty to do and see on the island. So, if you decide to relocate to Malta from the UK, you can go ahead and organize it unhesitatingly.
If you are planning your international move to Malta from the UK, we at Supreme man and van Ealing offer international removal services direct from the UK. To know more you can go to our official website available here at, https://suprememanvan.com/ and get a free quote today.
For any suggestion or to book a Supreme Man and Van Croydon, please reach out to us and do not forget to make sure you read up on the living condition of the destination address before moving into your new home.
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