Malta is growing in popularity as a place to live and work thanks to its climate, economy, and employment rate. A high-income country, Malta offers good job prospects for both high and low skilled workers across a variety of industries. The wages in Malta can be lower than average across Europe, but can go much further for you thanks to a generally lower cost of living than in other high-income countries.88% of people in Malta speak English, making it a fantastic option for those who want to experience somewhere new while still being able to communicate with the people there.
An archipelago just south of Italy and to the East of Tunisia, Malta enjoys a warm climate and friendly culture. Being so close to mainland Europe means it has excellent transport links to Italy, Greece, and Spain. It’s only three hours from London via plane, meaning you can maintain networks across different countries.
Malta has some of the best healthcare in the world, ranking fifth in the world according to the world Health Organization. Like the NHS, it’s free, and this massively contributes to the overall satisfaction of living there, with lower levels of stress and more disposable income.
On top of this, food is cheaper than in most other European countries, and public transport is incredibly cheap. Unfortunately, the price of renting has risen over the last few years as more people have moved into the country, and this gets worse in more popular or urban areas. However, this is offset by cheaper utilities than you’d find across most of Europe.
Over a quarter (27%) of expats living in Malta describe themselves as ‘completely satisfied’, compared to the global average of just 16%. Amazingly, 50% of them said they would like to spend the rest of their lives in Malta. The incredibly low crime rate means that Malta seems much safer to those coming into the country. Malta is welcoming to visitors, with expats reporting feeling at home very soon after moving.
Work permits are automatically granted to EU nationals. Third-country nationals must apply for a permit, with a special skill or area of expertise in which there is a demand for work. They must also send a job offer, a CV, a copy of their passport, a copy of their visa, and a copy of qualifications. Once there, you’ll need to get a Maltese ID card to ensure you’re fully authorized and registered to live and work there.
Malta has thriving finance and IT markets. Three quarters of all employment in Malta is in the services sector, with foreign workers a common sight. Satisfaction is high, thanks to a relaxed culture and a better work life balance than other EU countries.
Life in Malta can be a fantastic alternative to the rush and chaos of other overcrowded EU cities, and with a warm climate for around 300 days, it’s no surprise that many workers are looking at moving.
Malta offers a variety of visas for foreign nationals, including tourist visas, business visas, and visas for medical purposes. Foreign nationals who intend to travel to Malta to work have a few options when it comes to visas:
Short-Stay Visa, or C Visa: The short-stay visa is a type of Schengen visa, which means it allows foreign nationals to enter multiple countries within the Schengen area. This visa is available in three forms to accommodate single entries, double entries, and multiple entries. The C visa allows the holder to remain in Malta for up to three months regardless of how many entries are allowed.
National Long-Stay Visa, or D Visa: The D visa allows foreign nationals to stay in Malta for more than three months. This is the visa foreign employees will need to live and work in Malta for an extended period of time. Individuals who are traveling to Malta to study will need a D visa as well.
In addition to a long-stay visa, foreign employees will need a work permit. In Malta, this permit is known as an employment license.
Typical Maltese visa requirements include:
Foreign nationals will also need an employment license to work in Malta. The requirements for a Maltese employment license include:
Foreign nationals who plan to travel to Malta should contact the Maltese embassy or consulate in their country of residence for a complete, up-to-date list of all of the visa requirements. After doing so, they should complete the visa application and submit it and the supporting documents to the consular officials.
It is the employer’s responsibility to apply for an employment license on behalf of any foreign workers, so they should begin this process in the meantime. The employer should submit the relevant documents to the Employment and Training Corporation in Malta and pay any applicable fees.
Upon approval of both applications, the employee may travel to Malta and begin working.
Malta is a member of the European Union (EU). Therefore, citizens of other EU member states are free to travel to Malta without obtaining a visa. They are also exempt from the employment license requirement. However, EU nationals will need to register their stay with the Department for Citizenship and Expatriate Affairs in Malta within three months of their arrival.
