Malta has a calm and simple life mentality to its locals that usually attracts people from more developed European countries. Climate in Maltese islands is usual for Mediterranean parts of the world-warm summers and mild and pleasant winters. Geographically the islands are very small and are part of the African continent which makes it feel like different part of Europe.
Malta is very multilingual as the population consists on immigrants that have moved to islands and English is spoken everywhere. Only the core residents speak Maltese language, but usually that is rare. If the goal of life is to relax and enjoy life, Malta is the destination to live as the mentality and locals are not in a rush, have a large focus of life on family and religious practices.
Things to know before moving to Malta
There are some things to know before moving to Maltese islands, because of big differences from other parts of Europe. For example, transportation is usually considered by land, but in Malta be of the ways to get around is boats.
Another thing to know is that getting a job with a certain specific profession in mind can be harder. Malta is a tourist destination which makes a lot of job offers in this sector, therefore if the newly moved person doesn’t want a job in tourism or sales, it can take a while to get a vacancy. Accommodation in Malta can be quite expensive in comparison to other things, like food prices, gas and medication. Accommodation costs about 600 to 1300 EUR for two-bedroom apartment.
Legal requirements to relocate to Malta
Relocating to Malta requires legal procedures. For short term stays like business and tourism visa is not required but in case person wants to relocate and move to Malta, visa is one thing that has to be made.
If a person is from European Union, it is quite easier to move that for a non-European. To become a resident person has to pay 15 percent of tax on the income brought to the country. To apply for residency permit person has to go to Department for Citizenship and Expatriates Affairs. There is no application fee for European Union or EEA country citizens. The required documents for submitting application for residence permit is previous residency documents, passport or identification documents, bank statements. To get a visa depends on the intend of moving to Malta, as it can determent what type of visa will be given.
Visa types for moving to Malta
Visas for moving to Malta are as usual for other European countries. First of all, the Schengen Visa for Malta the required documents include valid travel documents, passport and recent photo, traveling insurance, description of travel plans, proof of financial situation and cash for visa fee.
There is also a work visa for person who intends to work to stay in country. Work visa can be gotten by submitting valid passport, diploma, photo, CV and cover letters to professional duties and work place. Manager of the workplace accepting the immigrant must go to Employment and Training Centre to get a permit.
There are student visas that are for education purposes only, that can be gotten by submitting valid passport, traveling insurance, letter from university that student will be going to and other documents to prove the accommodation and education.
Finding accommodation
Finding a place to stay might be harder from a far. Maltese accommodation prices a quite high since the islands are destination country for tourists and retirees. The most popular places to live are capital of Malta – Valetta.
Valetta has all the hotspots and interesting places to go to as well as bigger chance to get a job. Floriana is also a place great to find a job and live in as it is considered the financial center of Malta. For people looking for a peaceful and beautiful place to stay, such as retired people and families is the areas of Balzan, Lija and Attard.
Tourist related locations are offering non-stopping party and pleasure are Gozo, Comino islands that are usually part of the tourist destinations as they offer more nature-based entertainment such as restaurants, museums, outdoor activities and more.
Getting an apartment can start from looking at popular websites for real estate such as dahlia.com and franksalt.com that will offer greater look into Maltese island properties and housing. Renting can also be an option as it is for most middle-classed people in the world and Malta offers apartments in country-side for as low as 350 to 400 EUR per month.