Moving to Malta and Gozo From The UK

Moving to Malta

Whether you are moving to the capital, Valetta, Birkirkara, or a small rural town, Britannia Movers International has the expertise and the international resources to take you there.

	Importing Personal Effects to Malta All shipments to the EU from the UK have to clear customs on arrival and you must ensure you can provide all relevant customs documents required at destination. Your contact at your local Britannia office will assist you with which forms are necessary along with what supporting documentation you will need to provide. However, the responsibility for completion and submission of these forms now falls with the customer and it is advisable that all these formalities are prepared for prior to the move to avoid potential delays in transportation and additional charges.
	Malta Customs Prohibitions and Restrictions In general, it is in your interest not to import the following items: Firearms & ammunition Inflammable goods & substances Plants & plant material Foodstuffs, perishables or otherwise Narcotics and dangerous goods Offensive materials Alcohol & tobacco
	Transit Times to Malta Groupage or shared containers usually take an average of 7-9 weeks door to door. However, this can vary depending on volumes being shipped, customs or immigration delays and prevailing weather conditions. Sole-use container loads take on average 4-6 weeks door to door.
	Protecting Your Items for Transport to Malta All shared load consignments will be bar-coded before they are loaded into the vehicle. This will ensure that no items are left at origin.
	Moving to Malta with Pets Britannia can recommend a specialised shipper of animals to assist you in sending your family pet(s) from home to home. They will coordinate all documentation and necessary veterinary procedures. Find out more about pet transport.
	Moving Motor Vehicles to Malta If you are importing a car to Malta, you will most probably have to pay a vehicle registration tax, which can be quite high, especially for larger vehicles.
	Malta Currency Transfer When you are making international payments for individuals you can benefit from IFX expertise in seeking the best possible rate, whether you are sending or receiving foreign currency. IFX can help to protect you from exchange rate fluctuations and save you time and money on international payments. IFX offers: International Payments Regular Overseas Transfers Prepaid Currency Card Forward Contracts More info can be found on the IFX website.

Moving to Malta with Britannia

• Your Move to Malta with Britannia– Britannia can offer you a door-to-door service to the Islands of Malta & Gozo, and can either ship your effects by shared load or by full container load. In addition, we can offer a door-to-door airfreight service. Our local agents can also arrange customs clearance, and will deliver and unpack the effects, including removal of debris on day of delivery. To ensure the safety of your consignment, we can also provide bar coding and computer tracking.
• Additional Removal Services – Britannia can provide a variety of additional removal services when moving to Malta. We can arrange international insurance, and storage, and can also take care of your pet transport and money transfer.

If you want to find out more about moving to Malta, you can read more about our European removals, additional moving services, and request a removals quote.

Living in Malta

While Malta has been a very popular tourist destination for the last few decades, it has also become an attractive expat destination for many people looking for a more relaxed life, interested in historical monuments, or looking for a favourable business atmosphere. Despite its small size, it has a rich history and vibrant culture packed into its three inhabited islands: Malta, Gozo, and Comino.

Malta is an archipelago situated in Southern Europe in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily and east of Tunisia. It is not only one of the world’s smallest countries, but also one of the most densely populated, with a land area of just over 300 square km. Since gaining independence from the UK in 1964, Malta has established itself as a modern, forward-thinking nation. It is a member of the United Nations, the European Union, and the eurozone, and it uses the euro as its currency.

Malta’s economy thrives on foreign trade, tourism, and financial services. Over 1 million tourists visit each year to experience the island’s unique mix of history and natural beauty. The gaming and IT industries are also rapidly growing, making Malta a hub for professionals in these fields. With a strategic location and business-friendly policies, it’s an excellent destination for entrepreneurs and companies looking to expand.

Whether you are attracted by Malta’s amazing historic monuments, including nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites, want to live a more relaxed life near the beach in a sunny and warm climate, or you are relocating for professional reasons, Malta can offer a wide range opportunities, and a diverse culture.

Malta Visas

UK citizens can visit Malta visa-free for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. This is ideal for short-term visits, such as holidays or exploring the country before making a permanent move.

For UK citizens planning to live in Malta for more than 90 days, you’ll need a residence permit. If you are moving for work, you will need a job offer from a Maltese employer before applying for a single permit. This permit acts as both a work and residence permit, and the employer usually assists with the application.

Entrepreneurs and self-employed individuals can apply for a residence permit, but you’ll need to meet specific criteria, such as showing you have sufficient funds and providing a clear business plan.

Retirees or those with sufficient financial resources can apply for residency under Malta’s special schemes, such as the Malta Retirement Programme or Ordinary Residence. You’ll need to show evidence of income or savings to qualify.

Visa and residency applications are typically submitted to Identity Malta, the government agency responsible for processing them. It’s advisable to check the latest requirements on the official Identity Malta website or consult the Maltese High Commission in the UK for guidance.

Working in Malta

Malta offers a wide range of job opportunities across various industries, making it an attractive destination for UK expats. It has a growing economy, boosted by tourism, financial services, and technology, which has created demand for skilled workers, particularly in sectors such as gaming, IT, and fintech. The country has established itself as a global hub for online gaming, with many companies based in Malta offering roles in software development, customer support, marketing, and compliance.

The financial services industry is another key employer, and attracts professionals in accounting, auditing, and legal advisory roles. Healthcare and education are also popular industries for expats, with private schools and international institutions often hiring English-speaking staff. There are also plenty of opportunities in Malta’s thriving tourism and hospitality sectors, especially during the peak summer season.

The working culture in Malta reflects its Mediterranean roots, with a laid-back yet professional environment. While business structures often follow formal hierarchies, workplaces generally promote collaboration and teamwork. English is one of Malta’s official languages, which can make it easy for UK citizens to adapt to the workplace.

Malta offers a good work-life balance, with many workers enjoying the island’s sunny weather, vibrant cultural scene, and stunning coastline during their downtime. The country’s small size makes commuting relatively easy, and allows more time to enjoy leisure activities.

Cost of Living in Malta

The cost of living in Malta is generally lower than in the UK. According to Numbeo, living costs are around 17% lower in Malta, and rent alone is nearly 20% lower.

You can check out some of the items you are likely to purchase regularly whilst living in Malta below. Prices are shown in Euros and converted to UK pounds alongside the price in the UK so you can see how costs match up.

Interesting Facts About Malta

• Malta has two official languages – Maltese and English. Maltese is the only Semitic language written in the Latin alphabet and is mix of Arabic, Italian, and English influences, reflecting Malta’s complex history.
• Malta is one of the world’s smallest nations, covering just 316 square kilometres.
• The Megalithic Temples in Malta are the oldest free-standing structures in the world, and are said to be older than England’s Stonehenge.
• There is no property tax in Malta.
• The entire capital city, Valletta, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site – it was built in the 16th century by the Knights of St John, and is known for its stunning Baroque architecture and well-preserved historical landmarks.
• Malta enjoys over 300 days of sunshine each year, making it one of the sunniest places in Europe.
• Malta has no natural rivers or lakes; the island relies heavily on desalination and underground reservoirs for its water supply.

Choose Britannia for Your Malta Relocation

If you are thinking about moving to Malta and want to find out more about our international removal services or request a removals quote, you can call us on 0845 6006661 or email sales@britannia-movers.co.uk. Our team will be happy to discuss how we can help you with your international relocation.