Living Abroad In Malta

Malta offers a lower cost of living, a safe environment, and an excellent healthcare system, making it a top choice for expats, retirees, and digital nomads. Whether you’re planning to move permanently or work remotely from the island, Malta combines Mediterranean charm with practical advantages like affordable housing, accessible visa programs, and English as an official language.

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This guide covers what you need to know before relocating, including average living expenses, cultural differences, healthcare and education options, and how to retire or move to Malta with the right residency permits.

We’ll discuss average living expenses in Malta, what the lifestyle is like in Malta, the healthcare and education systems, and how to retire and/or move there.

What to Know Before Moving to Malta

Image of Brown-domed Building Overlooking The Valletta Skyline In Malta with text overlay of "What to Know Before Moving to Malta"

If you’re an expat, digital nomad, or retiree thinking about living abroad in Malta, there are some topics you’ll want to learn about first. You’ll want to consider the cost of living in Malta, the cultural differences, what it’s like retiring there, and the process requirements of moving to Malta.

Perhaps the most important of all is finances. Can you afford it? Is Malta considered expensive? How does it compare to the United States? We’ll answer all of these questions and more.

By the end of this article, you’ll be ready to read about the best places to live in Malta and check out our general guide for living abroad.

Malta vs. USA: Cost of Living Breakdown

On average, the cost of living in Malta vs. USA is much cheaper. Malta is 39% less expensive than the United States. To explore how this looks, we’ll compare average prices for housing, food, transportation, and salaries for those living in Malta vs. the USA.

We are gathering these averages from LivingCost, and they are not intended to be exact amounts but rather to give you a ballpark impression of what products might cost.

Housing Costs Compared: Malta and the USA

On average, housing in Malta vs. in the USA is almost half as expensive. 1 Bedroom apartment downtown costs $778/month in Malta but $1483/month in the US. A cheap 1 bedroom apartment in Malta is $636/month in Malta but $1154/month in the US.

Mortgage rates on a 20 year contract are about 3.98% in Malta but 5.25% in the US.

Grocery and Dining Costs in Malta

The average monthly food expenses in Malta is $429 vs. $568 in the USA. Overall groceries are much cheaper in Malta than in the United States, and eating in a restaurant is also more affordable in Malta.

Here’s a breakdown of some average grocery prices to help you see the potential range of expenses:

1 qt of Milk is $1.15 in Malta vs. $1.05 in the USA
1 lb of Bread is $1.27 in Malta vs. $3.04 in the USA
2.2 lb of Rice is $2.55 in Malta vs. $3.99 in the USA
12 Eggs is $2.52 in Malta vs. $3.91 in the USA
2.2 lbs of Apples is $2.75 in Malta vs. $4.66 in the USA
2.2 lb of Potatoes is $1.86 in Malta vs. $2.61 in the USA

Here’s a breakdown of some average restaurant prices:

Lunch: $14.20 in Malta vs. $16.60 in the USA
Dinner: $60.40 in Malta vs. $63.30 in the USA
Fast Food Meal: $8.74 in Malta vs. $9.07 in the USA
Pepsi/Coke: $2.03 in Malta vs. $2.26 in the USA

Public Transport and Fuel Prices in Malta

In Malta, the average transportation expenses a month are $54.90 compared to the average in the United States which is $98. Depending on the method of transport you prefer, public transportation in Malta is more than half as expensive than in the US, but driving a car is more expensive.

Here are some estimates to give you an idea:

Local Transport Ticket: $1.92 in Malta vs. $2.23 in the USA
Monthly Ticket Local Transport: $28.40 in Malta vs. $65.50 in the USA
Taxi Ride: $22.50 in Malta vs. $17.40 in the USA
¼ gallon of Gas: $1.47 in Malta vs. $1.01 in the USA

Average Salaries in Malta vs. the USA

The average salary in Malta is around €56,140 ($62,022 USD). The average salary in the USA was $97,962 USD in 2021. These are averages, so depending on your profession, you could make more or less.

Is Living in Malta Affordable?

Malta is considered a cheap country to live in, especially compared to western and northern Europe. Malta ranked 35th on the list of the most expensive countries to live in, but the United States ranked as the 5th most expensive.

Malta has a comfortable standard of living. It’s also a safe place with a US level 1 ranking for its crime rate which suggests you exercise normal precautions.

Other factors that affect whether or not Malta is expensive to live in would be their healthcare and education systems.

Healthcare System and Insurance Options in Malta

Even though it’s a small island, Malta’s healthcare system is ranked as one of the best in the world and one of the best in the European countries. Malta’s systems provide free services to citizens and EU residents with an EHIC card.

If you’re a non-EU citizen living in Malta, you’ll be required to get private health insurance. This price is dependent on your personal situation and needs, and Pacific Prime is happy to help you find the private health insurance in Malta that is perfect for you.

You can also check out our international health insurance plans that cover you no matter what country you’re in at the time you need care.

Schooling and Education for Families in Malta

Malta’s education systems offer state schools, church schools, and independent schools, so you’re sure to find one that’s right for you. The curriculums most resemble that of the British curriculum with a range of subjects that have mid-year and final exams.

State Schools: All students can attend state schools, and the transport and school materials are free. You must only purchase a school uniform.
Church Schools: All Church schools belong to the Catholic Church, and they do not charge school fees, though parents are asked to give an annual donation as well as pay for the school supplies and uniforms.
Independent Schools: There are a fair number of international schools among the independent ones that cater to foreign students, such as children of expats. At these institutions, parents pay school fees and buy supplies, uniforms, and for transportation.

What Americans Should Know About Life in Malta

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If you’re planning to live in Malta as an American, the lifestyle and cultural differences may come as a bit of a shock and take some getting used to. Some of those changes have to do with the religion in Malta, their concept of time, and their language.

Religion and Traditions in Maltese Culture

In Malta, the state religion is Roman Catholicism and the biggest holidays celebrated are the Catholic festivals and saints’ feast days. Their more orthodox, traditional Catholic views about family and gender roles also influence their behaviors, expectations, and interactions with others.

Adjusting to Malta’s Relaxed Lifestyle

Another big difference is how slow-paced and relaxed Maltese people are. If you’re wanting to retire here, that may be exactly what you want. If not, it may come as a bit of a shock and help you develop more patience.

Language in Malta: English and Maltese

English is an official language in Malta which means you can get by just fine without learning Maltese, but if you want to fully integrate and make friends with the locals, it’s well worth the effort to learn their language.

How to Retire in Malta as an American

If you are planning on retiring in Malta from the USA, you will either need a permanent residence visa, to join the Malta Permanent Residence Program, or gain Malta citizenship. Some expats are able to retire here with just $2,600/month for living expenses or less.

Once you have legally become a resident in Malta, we recommend getting private health insurance so you can have access to the private hospitals. In fact, this is required to join the Malta Retirement Program.

By joining the Malta Retirement Program, you can get special tax status with a flat rate of 15% on any foreign pension income received in Malta.

To join the Malta Retirement Program you must:

Receive pension income in Malta
Not be employed in Malta
Hold a qualified property by either renting or owning
Not benefit under any of Malta’s other residency programmes (such as Global Residence Program or the Malta Residence Program)
Have stable finances so you don’t need the social assistance system in Malta
Have a valid travel document
Have international health insurance
Have no criminal record

Steps to Move from the USA to Malta

To move to Malta from the USA, you’ll need either a temporary visa, permanent residency, or to gain citizenship. To get these permits, it may take a few weeks up to a few months, so you’ll want to apply and plan ahead. There are also fees to apply.

Moving to Malta can be a bit of a process, so here are some different methods you can use to move to your new home.

Temporary Visas:

Schengen short-stay C-Visa – valid for a 90 day visit
Schengen long-stay D-Visa – can apply for this additional visa for 3 months visit on top of you 90 days for the C-Visa
Nomad Residence Permit – for digital nomads working overseas

Permanent Residency:

Nomad Residency Permit
Ordinary Residence Scheme/Self-Sufficiency for EU Citizens

Citizenship:

By marriage
By naturalization
By investment

Conclusion

Malta is a beautiful island in the mediterranean sea and the perfect place to kick back and retire or work from home on the beach. Now that you have a better idea of the cost of living in Malta, what the cultural differences are like, and what types of visas or permits you need, you’re almost ready.

Now it’s time to select the healthcare plan that’s right for you and your family. Let us make it easy on you! Get a free quote today!

If Malta doesn’t quite seem like the right country for you, consider moving to Poland or Italy. Happy travels!

Author
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Jantra Jacobs

Senior Copywriter at Pacific Prime

Jantra Jacobs is a Senior Copywriter at Pacific Prime with over 10 years of writing and editing experience. She writes and edits a diverse variety of online and offline copy, including sales and marketing materials ranging from articles and advertising copy to reports, guides, RFPs, and more.

Jantra curates and reports on the results of Pacific Prime’s monthly newsletters, as well as manages Pacific Prime’s Deputy Global CEO’s LinkedIn posts. Complemented by her background in business writing, Jantra’s passion for health, insurance, and employee benefits helps her create engaging content – no matter how complex the subject is.

Growing up as a third-culture kid has given her a multicultural perspective that helps her relate to expats and their families while 8 years of working remotely have given her unique insight into hybrid work arrangements and enthusiasm for employee benefits.

Moving to Malta: Cost of Living, Visas, and Life as an Expat

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