Thinking about relocating to Malta for a life in the sun? Here are a few things you will need to think about:
1.Have you got a Visa? If you’re a citizen of the European Union then you don’t need one. Otherwise check out this page for more info.
2. Find a place to live. Sliema is the main place for working and shopping, so that’s where a lot of people start looking.
3. Get an ID card. This will make a lot of things (like number 7) a lot easier.
4. Get a police conduct cert. Many jobs will require one of these, so you might as well get it now.
5. Find a job. Keep plugging away and getting those CVs out to enough places.
6. Get your social security number. You need one of these to work and pay taxes. And you wouldn’t want to miss out on paying your taxes, would you?
7. Open a bank account. HSBC and Bank of Valletta are the largest banks on the island.
Okay, you’re pretty much set up now.
Take a day off: go drink a cold Cisk on the beach!
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I think it’s great tht you’re sending everyone to Sliema. PLEASE do so that we can enjoy the rest of Malta! 🙂
Well Sliema has it’s charms – shopping, restaurants and bars to name three – so a lot of people will prefer to live nearby. But there is also a lot to be said for the less-travelled parts of the country!
One of the problems which UK people have with the new ID card, and this is what I have been told by the Gozo office dealing with the new IDs, is that to obtain it one must totally cease all medical treatment in the UK as that passes to Malta. A UK person, who has a home here and in the UK, may not then see a doctor, receive treatment in hospital or, indeed, use any part of the NHS.
This is absurd for people who have a dual life in the two countries and will force people to decide if treatment is better in UK or Malta. If the former then they will not get the new ID card and so will suffer as an alien with no rights, expensive electricity etc., etc.
Unfortunately, people will ultimately opt to leave the country, (as I am now considering, after living here for 13 years and bringing a substantial amount of money here), It makes no sense at all.
That’s an interesting point – I wasn’t aware that you had to make a choice like that.
It used to be, on the old ID system, that if you lived here for 184 days, over half a year, then you got the ID. Now it seems that this has ended and and it is all or nothing!! It’s very sad and, in my opinion short sighted!
Hi. I’m really enjoying your blog. Thank you for all the good advice.
I’m moving to Malta this summer (2016). Is all the above information still accurate and relevant?
Many thanks.
I’m moving to Malta next month. But should not be working in Malta, I live off racing and poker. I am from an EU country.
What do I need to stay there legally longer than 3 months.
Get to buy car insurance policies and opening bank account I suppose I’ll need a Social Security number? But is this possible without a job?
If you are an EU citizen then you can live there legally for as long as you like. You won’t need a social security number to open a bank account or buy a car. The bank will just ask for your current bank info so they can contact them before opening your new account. You may find an ID card to be very useful, so I suggest you apply for one of these – there is full info on that elsewhere on these pages.
Hi David! This is very helpful.
Myself and my husband are planning our move to Malta. My husband is transferring with his job and I will be looking for a job once we get there. Since I will not be working for a while can I still apply for the ID card and social security number? Will I be entitled to healthcare services? We are both from EU.
Thank you.
You don’t need to be working to apply for either as far as I know. With the ID card you will be able to access free healthcare.
My wife & I are moving to Malta In September this year (2016). Obviously the IN/OUT referendum in the UK is slightly concerning for us. If the UK vote to leave the EU would that impact on us emigrating to Malta. Obviously this is a concern for us as we are selling up lock, stock & barrel & putting all our eggs in one basket (Malta)
Also, if the UK opts out of the EU how will this impact on other aspects of starting a new life in Malta, Ie Healthcare. I am taking early retirement from work so will not actively be looking for work. All advice would be really appreciated.
Hi, we moved to Malta in April but were to,d we had to have jobs to be able yo apply for the ID cards can anyone clarify as we are wanting to y a car also but gave been told we can’t register a vehicle without ID. It’s so frustrating 😡
We moved to Malta from the U.K in August, frustration is the word is the most polite word I can think of! Everything in Malta is dictated by the i.d card. We have tried to open a bank account, obtain car insurance for the car we have purchased, none of these can be achieved without an i.d card. You cannot obtain an i.d card without a job contract ( this does not apply to pensioners). We love Malta, but make sure your wearing a hard hat, this avoids hurting your head whilst banging it against a wall!!!
I picked up my Maltese ID just this this morning.
I don’t have a job or a job offer. I applied for ‘self sufficient’ status. You need to show either a sum of €14,000 in the bank, or a monthly income. When you apply for the card you are given a ‘receipt’, which is what I used to buy, register and insure my car.
I should add that I am not retired.
Applying for the Bank account comes next week!
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Hi there,
I am hoping to move to malta in the near future if Iican sell my flat Iin Scotland. I have severe osteoarthritis, hence my decision to seek sunnier and warmer climes. Am receiving Employment and Support Allowance as unable to work. I was 60 in May but will hve to wait another 6 years for my pension. I have checked will be able to export ESA but what happens after Brexit? Also, will I receive free healthcare and medicines in Malta? Does anyone know how much it costs to hire help in the home per hour. I hope Brexit does not thwart my plans.
Amy, Edinburgh