Living in Malta: An Honest Expat Guide to Work, Cost, and Life

Malta has become one of Europe's most popular expat destinations. It's EU territory, English-speaking, sunny, and has tax advantages that attract everyone from iGaming executives to remote workers. Here's what it's actually like to live there.

Cost of Living in Malta (2026)

Malta is more expensive than Eastern Europe but cheaper than the UK or Scandinavia.

Rent:

• Studio in Sliema/St Julian's: €700–1100/month
• 1-bedroom in Valletta: €800–1200/month
• Cheaper areas (Paola, Żabbar, Qormi): €500–750/month
• Gozo: €400–650/month (quieter, but ferry commute to Malta main island)

Food:

• Supermarket shopping (LIDL, PAVI): similar to Western Europe
• Restaurant lunch: €8–14
• Coffee: €2–3

Monthly budget for a single person without a car: €1800–2800.

Working in Malta

Malta has very low unemployment (around 3%). Sectors with the most demand for English-speakers:

• iGaming and fintech — Malta is Europe's gaming capital. Bet365, LeoVegas, PokerStars, Betsson and hundreds of smaller firms are based here
• Financial services — holding companies, funds, compliance
• IT and tech — agencies and startups, especially with EU/US clients
• Tourism and hospitality — hotels, restaurants, reception
• Construction — major building boom, skilled tradespeople in demand

EU citizens (including most of Europe) need no work permit. Register at Identity Malta within 3 months (e-Residence).

Salaries: minimum wage around €950 gross/month. In iGaming, tech and finance: €2500–5000+.

Bureaucracy and Documents

1. e-Residence — required after 3 months. Apply online or at Identity Malta, Blata l-Bajda. 2. ID Card — issued as EU resident 3. Healthcare — EU citizens with EHIC have access to public healthcare. After registering as resident: full access to the Malta public health system (Mater Dei Hospital) 4. Driving licence — EU licence valid. Can exchange for Maltese after one year of residency.

Where Do Expats Live?

Sliema and St Julian's — most popular, expensive, walkable to everything Buġibba and Qawra — cheaper, more tourist-resort feel, large expat community Birkirkara, Balzan, Attard — quieter, suburban, good bus connections Gozo — smaller community, much cheaper, ferry-dependent

Taxes

Malta has a Non-Dom tax status that makes it attractive for some expats — foreign income only taxed if remitted to Malta. The system is complex; consult a Maltese tax adviser before making decisions based on this.

For employees: progressive income tax 0–35%. Effective rate for €40,000–60,000 earners: roughly 25–30%.

The Honest Downsides

• Traffic — horrific. Malta has one of the highest car ownership rates in the EU. Rush hour is brutal.
• Summer heat — July–August regularly hits 35–38°C. Without good AC, it's unliveable.
• Small island — 316 km². After a year, many people feel cabin fever.
• Construction noise — the building boom has been running for a decade. Everywhere is loud.
• Bureaucracy — slow and frustrating. Identity Malta queues are legendary.

Despite all this: 300 sunny days a year, Mediterranean sea, EU rights, English everywhere, good salaries, and proximity to the rest of Europe. For many people — the balance works.