Moving to Malta: visas, cost of living & immigrant guide

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Population

457,267

Population Growth Rate

0.34%

Urban Population

94.800000

Population in Major Urban Areas

VALLETTA (capital) 198,000

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Age Structure

15.010000

Median Age

40.500000

Birth Rate - births/1,000 population

10

Death Rate - deaths/1,000 population

8.84

Total Fertility Rate - children born/woman

1.53

Mean Age for Mother's First Birth (age 25-49)

26.5

Mother's mean age at first birth

26.5

Sex Ratio at Birth - male/female

1.060000

Net Migration Rate - migrant(s)/1,000 population

1.99

Ethnic Groups

Maltese (descendants of ancient Carthaginians and Phoenicians, with strong elements of Italian and other Mediterranean stock)

Language Note

The Maltese language has a Semitic structure derived from a early form of Arabic.

Both Maltese and English are official languages.

The written form of Maltese is a Latin script, and it is used in commerce, education and business.

However, English is a second language that is taught in school.

Nationality Noun

Maltese (singular and plural)

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Literacy - total population

92.8%

Literacy - male

92%

Literacy - female

93.6%

Literacy Definition

age 10 and over can read and write

Education Expenditures - percent of GDP

6.9%

Total School Life Expectancy - (primary to tertiary)

15.000000

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Life Expectancy at Birth

79.980000

Infant Mortality Rate

3.620000

Infant Mortality Rate - total deaths/1,000 live births

3.620000

Maternal Mortality Rate - deaths/100,000 live births

8

Physicians Density - physicians/1,000 population

3.23

Hospital Bed Density - beds/1,000 population

4.4

Health Expenditures - percent of GDP

8.5%

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

28.8%

Drinking Water Source - percent of urban population improved

100.000000

Sanitation Facility Access - percent of urban population improved

100.000000

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Economic Overview

Malta’s free market economy – the smallest economy in the euro-zone – relies heavily on trade in both goods and services, principally with Europe.

Malta produces less than a quarter of its food needs, has limited fresh water supplies, and has few domestic energy sources.

Malta's economy is dependent on foreign trade, manufacturing, and tourism.

Malta joined the EU in 2004 and adopted the euro on 1 January 2008.

Malta has weathered the euro-zone crisis better than most EU member states due to a low debt-to-GDP ratio and financially sound banking sector.

It maintains one of the lowest unemployment rates in Europe, and growth has fully recovered since the 2009 recession.

In 2014 through 2016, Malta led the euro zone in growth, expanding more than 4.5% per year.

Malta’s services sector continues to grow, with sustained growth in the financial services and online gaming sectors.

Advantageous tax schemes remained attractive to foreign investors, though EU discussions of anti-tax avoidance measures have raised concerns among Malta’s financial services and insurance providers, as the measures could have a significant impact on those sectors.

The tourism sector also continued to grow, with 2016 showing record-breaking numbers of both air and cruise passenger arrivals.

Malta’s GDP growth remains strong and is supported by a strong labor market.

The government has implemented new programs, including free childcare, to encourage increased labor participation.

The high cost of borrowing and small labor market remain potential constraints to future economic growth.

Increasingly, other EU and European migrants are relocating to Malta for employment, though wages have remained low compared to other European countries.

Inflation remains low.

Industries

• tourism
• electronics, ship building and repair, construction
• food and beverages, textiles, footwear, clothing, tobacco

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$34,700.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

3.4%

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GDP - Gross Domestic Product (PPP)

$20,600,000,000 (USD)

GDP Per Capita

$34,700.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

3.4%

GDP - official exchange rate

$9,190,000,000 (USD)

GDP - composition, by end use

• consumption: 53.6% government
• consumption: 20.3% investment in fixed
• capital: 20% investment in
• inventories: -0.4% exports of goods and
• services: 139.1% imports of goods and
• services: -132.6%

GDP by Sector- agriculture

1.7%

GDP by Sector- Industry

12.8%

GDP by Sector- services

85.5%

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Inflation Rate

3.3%

Exchange Rate per US Dollar

Euro (EUR)

Currency Name and Code

Euros (EUR)

Fiscal Year

calendar year

Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate

0.25%

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Labor Force

163,100

Unemployment Rate

6.9%

Major Industries

• tourism
• electronics, ship building and repair, construction
• food and beverages, textiles, footwear, clothing, tobacco

Agriculture Products

potatoes, cauliflower, grapes, wheat, barley, tomatoes, citrus, cut flowers, green peppers; pork, milk, poultry, eggs

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Labor Force By Occupation- agriculture

1.4%

Labor Force By Occupation- industry

22.2%

Labor Force By Occupation- services

76.4%

Annual Budget

$4,455,000,000 (USD)

Budget Surplus or Deficit - percent of GDP

5.5%

Taxes and other revenues - percent of GDP

50.8%

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Full Country Name

Republic of Malta

Country Name

Malta

Local - Long

Repubblika ta' Malta

Local - Short

Malta

Etymology- history of name

the ancient Greeks called the island "Melite" meaning "honey-sweet" from the Greek word "meli" meaning "honey" and referring to the island's honey production

Independence

21 September 1964 (from the UK)

National Holiday

Independence Day, 21 September (1964); Republic Day, 13 December (1974)

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Government Type

parliamentary republic

Constitution

• history: many previous; latest adopted 21 September 1964
• amendments: proposals (Acts of Parliament) require at least two-thirds majority vote by the House of Representatives; passage of Acts requires majority vote by referendum, followed by final majority vote by the House and assent of the president of the republic; amended many times, last in 2020

Legal System:

mixed legal system of English common law and civil law based on the Roman and Napoleonic civil codes; subject to European Union law

Executive Branch:

• chief of state: President Myriam Spiteri DEBONO (since 4 April 2024)
• head of government: Prime Minister Robert ABELA (since 13 January 2020)
• cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister election/appointment
• process: president indirectly elected by the House of Representatives for a single 5-year term; following legislative elections, the president usually appoints the leader of the majority party or majority coalition as prime minister for a 5-year term; deputy prime minister appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister most recent election
• date: 27 March 2024
• election results: 2024: Myriam Spiteri DEBONO (PL) elected president; House of Representatives vote - unanimous 2019: George VELLA (PL) elected president; House of Representatives vote - unanimous expected date of next
• election: by March 2029

Legislative Branch:

• Description: unicameral House of Representatives or Il-Kamra Tad-Deputati, a component of the Parliament of Malta (65 seats statutory, 79 for 2022-2027 term; members directly elected in 5 multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote; members serve 5-year terms)
• Elections: last held on 26 March 2022 (next to be held in 2027)
• Election Results: percent of vote by party - PL 55.1%, PN 41.7%, other 3.2%; seats by party - PL 38, PN 29;
• Composition: men 57, women 22, percent of women 27.8%;
• Note: due to underrepresentation by women in the combined general on 26 March and two casual elections on 7 and 12 April (10 seats or 14.9%), an additional 12 seats were awarded because their percentage did not meet the 40% threshold required by the Malta Constitution or the General Elections Amendment Act 2021

Judicial Branch:

• office: Court of Appeal and Constitutional Court judges appointed by the president, usually upon the advice of the prime minister; judges of both courts serve until age 65
• subordinate courts: Civil Court (divided into the General Jurisdiction Section, Family Section, and Voluntary Section); Criminal Court; Court of Magistrates; Gozo Courts (for the islands of Gozo and Comino)

Regions or States:

68 localities (Il-lokalita); Attard, Balzan, Birgu, Birkirkara, Birzebbuga, Bormla, Dingli, Fgura, Floriana, Fontana, Ghajnsielem, Gharb, Gharghur, Ghasri, Ghaxaq, Gudja, Gzira, Hamrun, Iklin, Imdina, Imgarr, Imqabba, Imsida, Imtarfa, Isla, Kalkara, Kercem, Kirkop, Lija, Luqa, Marsa, Marsaskala, Marsaxlokk, Mellieha, Mosta, Munxar, Nadur, Naxxar, Paola, Pembroke, Pieta, Qala, Qormi, Qrendi, Rabat, Rabat (Ghawdex), Safi, San Giljan/Saint Julian, San Gwann/Saint John, San Lawrenz/Saint Lawrence, Sannat, San Pawl il-Bahar/Saint Paul's Bay, Santa Lucija/Saint Lucia, Santa Venera/Saint Venera, Siggiewi, Sliema, Swieqi, Tarxien, Ta' Xbiex, Valletta, Xaghra, Xewkija, Xghajra, Zabbar, Zebbug, Zebbug (Ghawdex), Zejtun, Zurrieq

Political Parties and Leaders:

• AD+PD or ADPD [Carmel CACOPARDO] (formed from the merger of Democratic Alternative or AD and Democratic Party (Partit Demokratiku) or PD)
• Labor Party (Partit Laburista) or PL [Robert ABELA]
• Nationalist Party (Partit Nazzjonalista) or PN [Bernard GRECH]

Suffrage:

18 years of age (16 in local council elections); universal

Citizenship Criteria:

• birth: no citizenship by descent
• only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Malta dual citizenship
• recognized: no residency requirement for
• naturalization: 5 years

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Capital Name

Valletta

Capital - geographic coordinate

35 53 N, 14 30 E

Capital Time Difference

UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Daylight Savings Time

+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

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International Organization Participation:

• Australia Group
• CD
• CE
• EAPC
• EBRD
• ECB
• EIB
• EMU
• EU
• FAO
• IAEA
• IBRD
• ICAO
• ICC (NGOs)
• ICCt
• ICRM
• IDA
• IFAD
• IFC
• IFRCS
• ILO
• IMF
• IMO
• IMSO
• Interpol
• IOC
• IOM
• IPU
• ISO
• ITSO
• ITU
• ITUC (NGOs)
• MIGA
• NATO (partner)
• NSG
• OAS (observer)
• OPCW
• OSCE
• PCA
• PFP
• Schengen Convention
• UN
• UNCTAD
• UNESCO
• UNIDO
• Union Latina (observer)
• UNWTO
• UPU
• Wassenaar Arrangement
• WCO
• WHO
• WIPO
• WMO
• WTO

International Law Organization Participation:

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Diplomatic Representation from US:

• Chief of Mission: Ambassador Constance J. MILSTEIN (since October 27, 2022)
• Embassy: Ta' Qali National Park, Attard, ATD 4000
• Mailing Address: 5800 Valletta Place, Washington DC 20521-5800
• Telephone: [356] 2561-4000
• Email: ACSMalta@state.gov
• Website: https://mt.usembassy.gov/

Diplomatic Representation in the US:

• Chief of Mission: Ambassador Godfrey C. XUEREB (since 19 April 2023)
• Chancery: 2017 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; note - The Embassy of Malta has relocated until further notice to the following address due to ongoing refurbishment: C/O WeWork Flr 2 1333 New Hampshire Ave NW Washington DC, 20036
• Telephone: [1] (202) 462-3611; note - The Embassy of Malta has relocated until further notice due to ongoing refurbishment and can be reached at the following number: [1] (202) 286-4610
• FAX: [1] (202) 387-5470; note - The Embassy of Malta has relocated until further notice due to ongoing refurbishment and can be reached by FAX at the following number: [1] (202) 530-9753​
• Email: maltaembassy.washington@gov.mt
• Website: https://foreignandeu.gov.mt/en/Embassies/ME_United_States/Pages/ME_United_States.aspx

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Geographic Location

Europe

Geographic Coordinates

35 50 N, 14 35 E

Total Area

122 Square Miles 316 Square Kilometers

Land Area

122 Square Miles 316 Square Kilometers

Coastline

122 Miles 197 Kilometers

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Terrain

mostly low, rocky, flat to dissected plains; many coastal cliffs

Highest Point

253 Meters

Highest Point Location

Ta'Dmejrek 253 m (near Dingli)

Lowest Point Location

Mediterranean Sea 0 m

Natural Resources

limestone, salt, arable land

Irrigated Land

12 Square Miles 32 Square Kilometers

Time Zone

UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Daylight saving time

+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

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Climate

The climate is subtropical in the summer, temperate the rest of the year, with occasional fog and rare frosts.

Temperatures range from 35°F in winter to 95°F in summer, with brief periods above 100°F in August and early September.

The driest months are May and July.

Annual rainfall averages 19-22 inches, but fluctuates to less than 10 inches.

The rains are heaviest from November to January and ease off slightly in February and March.

Summer is hot and humid, with almost cloudless skies.

The "scirocco," a warm humid southeast wind, occurs in spring and from mid-September to mid-October.

The "gregale," a cold wind from the east and northeast in the winter, occasionally reaches gale forces of 70 miles per hour.

Winter is chilly and damp with occasional heavy downpours, but also with many fine sunny days.

Terrain

mostly low, rocky, flat to dissected plains; many coastal cliffs

Location

Southern Europe, islands in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily (Italy)

Total Area

122 Square Miles 316 Square Kilometers

Environment - Current Issues

very limited natural fresh water resources; increasing reliance on desalination

Environment - International Agreements

party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

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Exports

$3,124,000,000 (USD)

Imports

$5,159,000,000 (USD)

Major Exports

machinery and transport equipment, manufactures

Major Imports

machinery and transport equipment, manufactured and semi-manufactured goods

food, drink, and tobacco

Top Export Partners

Singapore 17.3%, US 11.4%, UK 9.4%, Germany 9.2%, France 7.3%, China 6.5%, Italy 5.9%

Top Import Partners

Italy 18.2%, France 12%, South Korea 11.3%, UK 7.5%, Germany 5.3%, Singapore 5.3%, Japan 4.9%, US 4.6%, Spain 4.2%

Export Partners

Singapore 17.3%, US 11.4%, UK 9.4%, Germany 9.2%, France 7.3%, China 6.5%, Italy 5.9%

Import Partners

Italy 18.2%, France 12%, South Korea 11.3%, UK 7.5%, Germany 5.3%, Singapore 5.3%, Japan 4.9%, US 4.6%, Spain 4.2%

Country Description

Malta is a small, developed, democratic Mediterranean island nation, positioned as a cultural stepping-stone between Europe and North Africa.

Malta became a member of the European Union in 2004, and became a full member of the Schengen Area in 2008.

Tourist facilities of all categories are widely available.

Safety & Security

o indigenous terrorist or extremist groups are known to be active in Malta and no foreign terrorist organization has carried out an attack against U.S. interests in Malta in recent years.

Due to its geographic location and status as an EU-member country, Malta could be used as a possible staging point for terrorists desiring to enter other EU countries or as a refuge for terrorists attempting to evade detection.

U.S. citizens are reminded to remain alert and aware of their immediate surroundings and exercise caution when out and about in Malta.

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Crime

Malta is rated Medium for crime by the Department of State.

Most reported incidents are crimes of opportunity for immediate gain, such as simple assault, pick-pocketing, and petty theft.

In general, criminals in Malta have avoided using violence in order to achieve their objective.

However, while armed robberies, sexual assaults, and homicides are not as common as in some major U.S. cities, they do occur. .

Practice the same good, common-sense personal security precautions that are part of everyday life in urban areas within the United States, particularly when spending time in areas frequented by tourists.

Secure your valuables and be aware of pickpockets and purse snatchers; such criminals focus on areas and establishments frequented by tourists.

You should be careful in the Paceville nightclub area, where excessive drinking and poor crowd control can lead to violence, including some that appears to be racially motivated.

Theft of unattended personal property and car stereos from vehicles is also a common problem.

Panhandling is almost non-existent in Malta.

Don’t buy counterfeit or pirated goods, even if they are widely available.

The bootlegs are illegal to bring back into the United States, and if you purchase them, you are also breaking local law.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in Malta, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen.

Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own, and criminal penalties vary from country to country.

There are also some things that might be legal in Malta, but still illegal in the United States.

For example, you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods.

Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is also a crime prosecutable in the United States.

If you break local laws in Malta, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution.

It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not in any country you visit.

Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Malta are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.

Judicial proceedings in Malta typically last five to seven years and are characterized by lengthy and sometimes unpredictable delays between hearings.

Foreign nationals can expect to be denied bail while a court case is ongoing, which can result in lengthy periods of pre-trial detention ranging from several months to several years.

Obtaining no-fee legal aid can be a slow and difficult process, delaying already lengthy judicial proceedings.

IF ARRESTED: If you are arrested in Malta, authorities of Malta are required to notify the U.S.

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Medical Facilities

Medical care is available through public and private hospitals.

The quality of medical care in Malta ranges from adequate to good.

Medical Specialists are few with many choosing to work in other countries.

Private hospitals generally offer a higher standard of service than the public hospitals.

One public hospital in Malta has adequate emergency room and trauma facilities, but its capacity is limited.

Traffic Safety

While in Malta, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States.

Traffic in Malta flows on the left, requiring attentiveness and caution from U.S. visitors accustomed to driving on the right.

Additionally, Maltese drivers may drive more aggressively and with less caution than visitors are used to seeing in the United States.

Roads flood easily and are often narrow, winding and congested, with poor visibility around curves.

Traffic arteries are prone to bottlenecks and accidents.

Buses are the primary means of public transportation.

Taxis are safe but expensive and are not metered; it is a good practice to agree with the driver in advance on the charge.

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Airports - total

1

Airports with Paved Runways

1

Heliports

2

Roadways- total

1,924 Miles 3,096 Kilometers

Roadways- paved

1,680 Miles 2,704 Kilometers

Ports and Terminals

Marsaxlokk, Valletta

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Telephones

252,700

Cell Phones

371,500

Internet Users

158,000

Internet Country Code

.mt

Internet Hosts

24,941

Broadcast Media

• 2 publicly owned TV stations, Television Malta (TVM) broadcasting nationally plus an educational channel
• several privately owned national television stations, two of which are owned by political parties
• Italian and British broadcast programs are available
• multi-channel cable and satellite TV services are available
• publicly owned radio broadcaster operates 1 station
• roughly 20 commercial radio stations

Telephone System

• assessment: automatic system featuring submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands
• domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular subscribership exceeds 180 per 100 persons
• international: country code - 356; submarine cable connects to Italy; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Electricity Consumption- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

1,991,000,000

Electricity Production- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

2,113,000,000

Oil Consumption- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

19,520

Anthem Lyrics

Lil din l-art helwa, l-Omm li tatna isimha, Hares Mulej, kif dejjem Int harist: Ftakar li lilha bl-ohla dawl libbist. Aghti, kbir Alla, id-dehen lil min jahkimha, Rodd il-hniena lis-sid, sahha 'l-haddiem: Seddaq il-ghaqda fil-Maltin u s-sliem.

Anthem Lyrics English

Guard her, O Lord, as ever Thou hast guarded! This Motherland so dear whose name we bear! Keep her in mind, whom Thou hast made so fair! May he who rules, for wisdom be regarded! In master mercy, strength in man increase! Confirm us all, in unity and peace!