Can I move to Malta without a visa if I'm a UK citizen post-Brexit?

UK citizens are now non-EU/third-country nationals and do not have the right to freely reside in Malta. For stays over 90 days, UK nationals need a qualifying permit: the NRP (if remote worker, €42,000/yr income), GRP (if relying on foreign passive income, property required), work permit (if employed by Maltese company), or another qualifying programme. The 90-day Schengen visit right applies for short stays.

How difficult is the bureaucracy in Malta?

Very manageable by EU standards. Everything is in English. Most processes have online portals (Malta Tax, Identità, Residency Malta Agency). The main frustrations are processing times (Identità can be slow) and the bank AML documentation requirements. Using a local accountant or immigration lawyer for the first year reduces friction significantly — fees of €500–€1,500 are worth it to get the setup right.

Is there a language requirement to live in Malta?

For most residency programmes, no. The Malta Retirement Programme requires that you speak English or Maltese — but English is universal so this is a non-issue. Citizenship (naturalisation after 5 years) does require some Maltese language proficiency, but this is only relevant if you're pursuing citizenship, not just residency.

What's the easiest way to find accommodation before arriving?

MaltaProperty.com (the main portal), Frank Salt Real Estate's website, and Facebook groups ('Expats in Malta', 'Malta Rental Apartments') are the primary sources. Many landlords and agents are active on WhatsApp and Messenger — direct messaging after a listing inquiry is normal. Viewing apartments remotely via video call has become common post-COVID. Book an Airbnb for the first 2–4 weeks to give yourself time to view properties in person.

Can I import my car from the UK or EU to Malta?

Yes — but with costs and time. For UK/EU imports: notify Transport Malta within 30 days of arrival; pay Maltese registration tax (varies by engine size and age, can be €500–€3,000+); if the car is right-hand drive (from UK), conversion to left-hand drive (Malta drives on the left — same as UK!) is NOT required as Malta is also left-hand. However, older used cars sometimes need a technical inspection. Many expats find it easier to sell their car before moving and buy a second-hand Maltese car on arrival.

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🇲🇹 Malta

Moving Guide

Malta is one of the easiest EU countries to move to as an English speaker. Bureaucracy is manageable, conducted in English, and relatively well-digitalised.

30–60 working days

NRP Processing

Apply online; collect biometric card on arrival

3–4 months

GRP/TRP Processing

Property must be in place before application

8–10 weeks

EU Registration

Identità; residence card issued

1–3 weeks

Bank Account Opening

In-person; bring full source-of-funds documentation

3–5 days

Shipping from UK

Roll-on roll-off via Grimaldi Lines or Grandi Navi Veloci

5–7 days road + ferry

Shipping from Germany/Italy

Via Sicily ferry connection

Last updated: March 2026

Overview🏙️Sliema 🏛️Valletta

🛂Visa 🏥Healthcare 💰Finance 🏠Housing 💼Working 🌆Daily Life ✈️Moving 📚Education 🌅Lifestyle 📈Investing

Overview

Malta is one of the easiest EU countries to move to as an English speaker. Bureaucracy is manageable, conducted in English, and relatively well-digitalised. The critical path for non-EU nationals is the visa/permit application (NRP takes 30–60 working days; GRP 3–4 months), so apply before arriving. EU citizens should allow 8–10 weeks for the residence card. The main practical challenges are finding accommodation (competition in Sliema is fierce) and opening a bank account (AML requirements mean more paperwork than expected).

Key Takeaways

Visa/permit: non-EU nationals — apply for the appropriate permit online before arriving; NRP application can be submitted before or after arrival but requires Malta accommodation proof within 30 days of Approval in Principle
Week 1: Secure housing (sign lease); get a Maltese SIM card (GO, Melita, or Epic — prepaid from €10); use Revolut/Wise for immediate EUR payments
Shipping from UK: Grimaldi Lines ro-ro or specialist UK–Malta shippers; 1-BR flat contents: £1,500–£3,000 door-to-door; 3–5 days transit; no customs for EU-origin goods

Before You Move — Preparation

The key to a smooth Malta move is sorting the permit/visa and accommodation BEFORE arrival. Property lease must be in place for GRP/TRP/MPRP applications. For NRP applications, proof of accommodation is required within 30 days of receiving Approval in Principle, so securing housing before or immediately after arrival is essential.

Visa/permit: non-EU nationals — apply for the appropriate permit online before arriving; NRP application can be submitted before or after arrival but requires Malta accommodation proof within 30 days of Approval in Principle
GRP/TRP applicants: property (rental or purchase) must be secured before submitting the application — the qualifying property is a prerequisite, not an afterthought
Health insurance: buy comprehensive Malta-specific health insurance before departure; NRP requires pre-paid annual policy at time of application
Housing: Sliema and St Julian's move fast — browse MaltaProperty.com before arriving; consider a 1-month serviced apartment or Airbnb while you search
Tax consultation: if you are claiming non-dom status or GRP, consult a Maltese tax advisor BEFORE arriving — the structure of your income and the timing of your move affect your tax position from day one
Banking: prepare your source-of-funds documentation (bank statements, employment contracts, company accounts if self-employed, investment statements) — banks will ask extensively
EU citizens: notify your home country tax authority of your change in tax residence; get an S1 form from your home social security if you want to access public healthcare in Malta
Documents to bring: certified translations of birth certificate, marriage certificate (if applicable), criminal background check (apostilled), degrees/professional certifications — needed for many residency applications

First Weeks — Administrative Steps

Complete these steps in order during your first 1–3 months in Malta. English is universal throughout; no need for a translator.

Week 1: Secure housing (sign lease); get a Maltese SIM card (GO, Melita, or Epic — prepaid from €10); use Revolut/Wise for immediate EUR payments
Week 1–2 (EU citizens): Visit Identità (St Venera office) with passport, lease agreement, and health insurance proof → receive registration certificate → residency card issued 8–10 weeks later
Week 2–4 (NRP holders): Your permit process began before arrival; collect biometric residence card from Identità once notified
Within first month: Register with Malta Tax Authority (IRD) online (cfr.gov.mt) → receive TIN (Tax Identification Number); essential for employment, banking, and tax compliance
TIN in hand: Open a Maltese bank account (Bank of Valletta or HSBC Malta recommended for expats); bring passport, residence card/certificate, TIN, rental agreement, source-of-funds documents
Register with a GP: either at a government health centre (free if paying SSC) or a private GP (€15–€50/visit) — get registered early so you're not searching in an emergency
Social security number: if employed, your employer handles SSC registration; if self-employed, register with Social Security Department (socialsecurity.gov.mt) and Malta Tax
Driving: Malta drives on the left; EU driving licence valid indefinitely; non-EU licence must be exchanged within 1 year of establishing residence at Transport Malta

Relocation Costs

Moving to Malta from within Europe is logistically straightforward — the ferry routes from Italy and the UK are well-established. Air freight is expensive per kilo but fast. Most expats ship a few boxes and buy furniture locally.

Shipping from UK: Grimaldi Lines ro-ro or specialist UK–Malta shippers; 1-BR flat contents: £1,500–£3,000 door-to-door; 3–5 days transit; no customs for EU-origin goods
Shipping from Germany/Italy: road to Sicilian ferry port + ferry to Malta; 5–7 days; €800–€1,800 for 1-BR contents
Air freight: €5–€10/kg; only recommended for high-value small items; laptops and electronics better carried as hand luggage
Furniture: IKEA is in Malta (Qormi, near Valletta); local furniture shops throughout; Facebook Marketplace very active for second-hand
Legal/admin fees: NRP application €300; GRP/TRP admin fee €6,000; Malta Ltd formation €1,000–€2,500; tax advisor consultation €500–€1,500 initial setup
First-month cash buffer: budget €3,000–€5,000 for initial deposits (1–2 months rent), admin fees, furniture top-ups, and float before payroll/income begins

FAQs