Moving to Malta

Your Complete Relocation Guide

Before You Read...

We haven't filled this guide with glossy holiday photos or tried to sell you a dream. There are already thousands of websites that do that. Instead, we've focused on something we believe is far more valuable—honest advice, practical information and real experiences that might help if you're thinking about moving, investing or buying property abroad.

Every country has its strengths, its challenges and its own way of life. Our aim is simply to help you understand them, so you can decide whether it's the right place for your next chapter. If this guide answers a question, helps you avoid a mistake or gives you the confidence to explore somewhere new, then it's done exactly what it was written to do.

Why Move to Malta?

People often describe Malta as a small island in the Mediterranean. While that's technically true, I think it misses the point entirely.

Malta isn't small in terms of what it offers. It has beautiful coastlines, centuries of history, excellent healthcare, one of Europe's most welcoming business environments, fantastic restaurants, warm weather for much of the year and, perhaps most importantly for many people relocating, English is an official language. That alone removes one of the biggest hurdles many people face when moving abroad.

Whether you're looking to retire in the sunshine, build a business, buy a second home or simply enjoy a different pace of life, Malta has an incredible amount to offer.

What impressed me most wasn't one famous landmark or one beautiful beach.

It was how easy life seemed to feel.

Malta Is Built for Living

Every country has something that makes it unique.

Costa Rica gives you rainforests, wildlife and the Pura Vida lifestyle. Panama blends modern cities with Caribbean islands and mountain towns.

For me, Malta's greatest strength is convenience.

It genuinely doesn't matter where you decide to buy your dream home because almost everything the island has to offer is within easy reach. One morning you could be enjoying breakfast overlooking the sea, spend the afternoon wandering through a medieval city and finish the evening with dinner beside one of Europe's most beautiful harbours.

Very few countries allow you to experience so much without spending hours travelling.

The airport sits almost in the centre of the island, making family visits, business travel and weekend breaks incredibly simple. If your children or grandchildren live overseas, they'll never feel impossibly far away.

That accessibility is something I think many people underestimate until they've experienced Malta for themselves.

Where Should You Live?

Every part of Malta has its own personality.

Some people are drawn towards the lively marinas and nightlife around St Julian's, while others prefer quiet villages overlooking the countryside or homes with uninterrupted sea views. Like anywhere, my advice is to spend time exploring before making such an important decision.

If I were choosing somewhere to live, however, there would be one place at the very top of my list.

Mellieħa.

Perched in the north of the island, Mellieħa offers stunning views, a more relaxed atmosphere and some of Malta's best beaches, yet everything you need is still close by. More importantly, it's perfectly positioned for one of the greatest pleasures of living in Malta—being able to jump on the ferry and spend the day exploring Gozo whenever you feel like it.

Gozo – Malta's Perfect Escape

If you move to Malta, don't think of Gozo as somewhere you'll visit once during the summer.

Think of it as an extension of your home.

The ferry journey is quick, affordable and incredibly easy, meaning spontaneous day trips soon become part of everyday life.

Hire a car and simply explore. Discover dramatic cliffs overlooking the Mediterranean, peaceful fishing villages, hidden coves, beautiful countryside, natural caves and some of the most spectacular viewpoints you'll find anywhere in the Maltese Islands. Life seems to move at a slightly slower pace here and that's exactly why people fall in love with it.

Before heading back to Malta, make one final stop in Nadur at Maxokk Bakery.

If there's one local experience I'd recommend to everyone, it's ordering one of their famous traditional Gozitan ftiras. Many visitors call it a pizza, but it's something uniquely Gozo, traditionally baked in a wood-fired oven and often topped with potatoes, tomatoes, onions, olives and other fresh local ingredients.

Order one to take away.

Find a quiet beach, a clifftop viewpoint or somewhere overlooking the sea.

Sit down with your ftira and simply watch the world go by.

Sometimes it's those simple moments that stay with you long after you've returned home.

Explore Malta Properly

One of the biggest mistakes visitors make is relying entirely on organised tours.

Hire a car.

Malta rewards curiosity.

Drive the winding roads without worrying too much about where you're going. Stop whenever you see a beautiful view.

Malta's coastline is simply stunning. Hidden coves, dramatic cliffs and crystal-clear natural swimming pools appear around almost every corner, inviting you to stop and simply enjoy the moment. One place that deserves a special mention is St Peter's Pool. It's one of those places that photographs never quite do justice. The water is impossibly clear, people swim beneath the cliffs and, if you're feeling brave enough, you'll see others leaping from the rocks into the deep blue below.

Yet St Peter's Pool isn't just for thrill-seekers. It's equally magical to sit quietly on the rocks with a friend , your feet dangling in the crystal-clear water while tiny fish gently nibble at your toes. Time seems to slow down, conversations last a little longer and the rest of the world somehow feels very far away.

Even if you've never imagined yourself jumping from a cliff, there's something about this place that has a funny way of bringing out your adventurous side. It encourages you to step outside your comfort zone, take a deep breath and simply go for it. Whether you make the jump or not almost doesn't matter. Just being there, surrounded by laughter, sunshine and the Mediterranean, reminds you that life is meant to be lived.

I think that's one of the things Malta does so well. It has a way of bringing out something special in people.

Some of my favourite memories weren't planned at all.

They happened simply because I decided to turn left instead of right. and that one reasons id settle here because it just works no matter the turn.

Valletta

Malta's capital deserves much more than a quick walk around the main streets.

Valletta is one of those cities that becomes more enjoyable the slower you explore it.

The architecture is magnificent, history surrounds you everywhere and as the afternoon turns into evening the entire city seems to glow with warm golden colours.

Find somewhere overlooking the Grand Harbour, order a glass of local wine and simply watch the boats drift by while the lights begin reflecting across the water.

It's one of those evenings you'll remember long after you've gone home.

Mdina – The Silent City

If Valletta is Malta's heart, then Mdina is its soul.

Known as the Silent City, Mdina is one of the most romantic places I've ever visited.

Its narrow streets, honey-coloured stone buildings and peaceful atmosphere create somewhere that almost feels frozen in time. People often compare Paris with romance, but personally I think Mdina has something even more special.

Buy an ice cream.

Put your phone away.

Wander wherever the streets take you.

Sit quietly in one of the tiny squares and simply enjoy the silence.

Sometimes the best travel memories come from doing absolutely nothing.

St Julian's

When you're ready for a change of pace, head to St Julian's.

As the sun sets, the restaurants begin filling, bars become lively and the waterfront comes alive with people enjoying the evening.

Whether you're looking for live music, cocktails beside the marina or simply somewhere to enjoy dinner overlooking the water, St Julian's offers a completely different side of Malta.

The beauty is that even after enjoying the nightlife, you're never very far from somewhere peaceful to call home.

Food, Lifestyle and the Maltese People

Food is a huge part of everyday life in Malta.

Fresh seafood, incredible bakeries, Mediterranean cooking, seasonal fruit and vegetables and family-run restaurants are everywhere. Like most countries, the best meals are often found away from the busiest tourist streets. Sit where the locals sit, ask what's fresh today and don't be afraid to try something you've never heard of before.

One thing that always stood out to me was the friendliness of the Maltese people. Whether I was asking for directions, chatting in a café or speaking to local business owners, people were welcoming, proud of their island and genuinely happy to help.

That friendliness makes settling into Malta far easier than many people expect.

Is Malta Too Small?

One criticism you'll often hear is that Malta is simply too small.

People describe it as "living on a rock."

Personally, I couldn't disagree more.

Its size is one of its greatest strengths.

Instead of spending hours driving across a country, everything is within easy reach. Beautiful beaches, shopping centres, hospitals, schools, restaurants, historical sites and the airport are never far away.

You spend less time travelling and more time enjoying life.

To me, that's not a disadvantage.

It's exactly why I'd choose Malta.

My Thoughts

Every country leaves you with a different feeling.

Costa Rica gave me wildlife, rivers and the Pura Vida lifestyle.

Panama impressed me with its mountain towns, Caribbean islands and modern infrastructure.

Malta gave me something else entirely.

It gave me convenience.

It gave me history.

It gave me culture.

It gave me sunshine.

Most importantly, it showed me that you don't have to choose between quality of life and practicality—you really can have both.

Whether you're retiring, relocating with your family, starting a business or simply looking for somewhere that offers a fantastic lifestyle, Malta deserves a place on your shortlist.

My advice is simple.

Hire a car.

Explore every corner of the island.

Take the ferry to Gozo whenever you can.

Buy a ftira from Maxokk Bakery and eat it overlooking the sea.

Watch the sunset from the cliffs.

Lose yourself in Mdina.

Enjoy a drink overlooking Valletta's Grand Harbour.

Talk to the locals.

Then ask yourself one question.

Could I happily call this place home?

I have a feeling you already know what my answer would be.

Related Malta Guides

• Buying Property in Malta
• Cost of Living in Malta
• Healthcare in Malta
• Driving in Malta
• Retiring to Malta
• Buying a Holiday Home in Malta
• Selling Property in Malta
• Renting vs Buying in Malta
• Moving Your Pets to Malta

About the Author

Wayne Johnson is the founder of Slide'N Doors and has spent years travelling, buying, selling and researching property around the world. His relocation guides aren't written to sell a destination—they're written to help people make informed decisions through honest experiences, practical advice and the little details that only become obvious when you've actually spent time exploring a country. Whether you're relocating permanently, retiring abroad, investing or searching for a second home, his aim is simple: to help you find the place that feels right for your next chapter.