Choosing to relocate to Malta is a big decision. There are dozens of great reasons to move to Malta, but knowing some of the pro’s and con’s may help you to make a better decision for you, your family or business.
Looking at the pro’s
- Hot summers and mild winters: Malta and its sister island Gozo, enjoy some, 3 000 hours of sunshine a year. There’s no denying that the climate in Malta is about as close to perfect as you can get. It’s sunny and tropical, yet still hurricane-free, surrounded by calm, tranquil water. The summer season practically starts from end March up until end November. Winters are mild with temperatures averaging at 10 degrees C at night.
- English is an official language: The island’s oldest native language is Maltese. It is derived from medieval Sicilian-Arabic and peppered with Italian, however, the second official language is English, spoken by nearly 90% of the population.
- A safe country to live in: A survey compiled by InterNations, the largest network worldwide of people living and working abroad, regarding crime, placed Malta 5th out of 191 countries. The 2018 edition of the United Nation’s World Risk Report has put Malta, once again, as the world’s second-safest country in terms of its exposure to and ability to cope with natural disasters.
- Fantastic Healthcare system:According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Malta has one of the best healthcare systems in the world, ranking higher than the UK and US.
- Booming economy: Malta’s economy is projected to grow the fastest in the European Union, according to the European Commission’s Winter 2019 Economic Forecast. Growth is projected at 5.2 per cent this year and 6.4 per cent next year, by far the best among EU member states
- Stable property market: 2018 was an outstanding year in the property market and 2019 is looking at being even better. Demand is being fuelled from both locals and foreigners, particularly from investors, developers and growing businesses, where more international staff are being employed to meet the need. The returns on property, across Malta, in the last year, are in the region of 7-9%; while rent prices have continued to grow too, as supply is currently about meeting demand.
- Education: Education in Malta is highly rated and follows the British curriculum. Uniforms are obligatory in most schools around the island. Malta offers state schools, reasonably priced private education as well as church schools.
- Attractive Residency and Visa programme: Malta offers various residency programmes ideal for foreign national (both EU and non-EU) looking for a great place for a second permanent residence. Thanks to the islands efforts to only attract quality candidates, these programmes have gained an international reputation as being one of the best residency programmes around. The administration fees are relatively low, access to the Schengen area is guaranteed and there are substantial tax savings available to applicants.
Looking at the con’s
- Roads and Traffic:While Malta does have a fairly good public transportation system, most of the population owns and drives personal cars. This can lead too regular and heavy traffic especially at peak times. Drivers may become a little confused when they see the width of local roads. Quite often, there is enough space for only one car in each direction. In Valletta and some bigger villages, there is a definite shortage of free parking spaces. Inexperienced drivers will find it very hard to find a free parking space in downtown areas
- Crowded: Malta is one of the most densely populated countries in the world. A population of 450 000 living on a 38km by 14 km island.
- Noise: Deafening fireworks are let off as early as 8 a.m. on feast days and can go on—ignoring local laws—past 11 p.m. Church bell-ringing also starts as early as 7 a.m. on feast days. Most Maltese naturally talk loudly and with their hands, this gesticulating is mostly non-aggressive, even if it does not appear that way. Gas delivery trucks and vans selling doughnuts honk loudly to announce their presence.
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