Moving to Malta: A Practical Checklist

Before You Arrive

Documents to Prepare

• Passport — valid for at least 6 months
• Employment contract — if you're moving for work
• Academic certificates — if relevant for your visa or job
• Birth certificate — apostilled or legalised (needed for various applications)
• Marriage certificate — if applicable, apostilled
• Police conduct certificate — from your home country and any country you've lived in for 6+ months in the past 10 years
• Health insurance — arrange temporary cover until you're set up in Malta
• Proof of funds — bank statements showing you can support yourself

Housing

Ideally, arrange short-term accommodation (Airbnb or serviced apartment) for your first 2-4 weeks. This gives you time to view rental properties in person before committing to a lease. Signing a lease from abroad based on photos alone is risky.

First Week in Malta

Get a Mobile Phone

You'll need a local number for practically everything. Prepaid SIM cards are available from:

• GO — largest network, good coverage
• Melita — strong 4G/5G, competitive data plans
• Epic — budget option, decent coverage

SIM cards cost €5-€15 with some credit included. You'll need your passport to register.

Open a Bank Account

This should be a priority, as you'll need it for rent, salary, and utilities. Main options:

• Bank of Valletta (BOV): Malta's largest bank. Most branches, most ATMs. Can be slow to open accounts (2-4 weeks)
• HSBC Malta: More efficient process for expats. Good online banking. Faster account opening
• APS Bank: Smaller, more personalised service
• Digital alternatives: While waiting for your Maltese account, Wise and Revolut work well for daily spending

Documents needed: Passport, proof of address in Malta (lease agreement or utility bill), proof of employment or income, tax identification.

Apply for a Tax Number (TIN)

Visit the Commissioner for Revenue office or apply online. You'll need this for employment, banking, and any property transactions.

First Month

Residence Documentation

EU/EEA Citizens:

Apply for a residence certificate at Identity Malta. You need:

• Passport
• Proof of employment, self-employment, or sufficient resources
• Health insurance coverage
• Proof of address
• Processing time: 2-4 weeks

Non-EU Citizens:

Apply for a Single Permit (combined work and residence permit) through Identity Malta. Your employer usually sponsors this application. Processing time: 4-8 weeks.

Healthcare

EU Citizens: Register your EHIC/GHIC card at the Primary Health Care department to access free public healthcare. Private Healthcare: Most expats take out private health insurance for faster access and specialist care. Popular providers:

• Bupa (international plans)
• Atlas Insurance
• GasanMamo Insurance
• Local agents can compare policies

Mater Dei Hospital in Msida is the main public hospital. Public healthcare is free for residents but wait times can be long for non-emergency procedures.

Register with ARMS (Utilities)

If your name is on the lease, transfer electricity and water into your name at the ARMS office. Bring your lease agreement and ID. You'll receive bills every two months.

Set Up Internet

Choose a provider and schedule installation:

• GO: Fibre up to 1Gbps. Reliable. Most established
• Melita: Cable/fibre, competitive packages, good TV bundles
• Epic: Budget option, decent speeds
• Installation typically takes 1-2 weeks

Within Three Months

Driving Licence

• EU licence holders: Your licence is valid in Malta. You can exchange it for a Maltese one at Transport Malta if you wish (not required)
• Non-EU licence holders: You can drive on your foreign licence for up to 12 months. After that, you need a Maltese licence. Some countries' licences can be directly exchanged; others require a Maltese driving test

Explore Your Neighbourhood

• Find your nearest supermarket (Scotts, Tower, Greens, Park Towers, Lidl)
• Locate the nearest pharmacy (useful for minor health issues)
• Find a GP/medical centre near your home
• Identify your bus routes (Tallinja app is useful for planning)
• Download the Bolt and eCabs apps for taxis

Social Integration

• Join expat groups on Facebook (Expats Malta, Malta Expats, etc.)
• Attend meetups (Internations Malta is active)
• Join a gym, sports club, or hobby group
• Consider a Maltese language course (free courses are available through government programmes)

Ongoing

Tax Filing

Malta's tax year runs January to December. If you're employed, your employer deducts tax at source (FSS — Final Settlement System). You'll receive an FS3 form annually. Self-employed individuals need to file annual tax returns and make provisional tax payments.

Voting

EU citizens resident in Malta can vote in local council elections and European Parliament elections after registering with the Electoral Commission.

Vehicle Registration

If you bring a car to Malta, you'll need to register it with Transport Malta and pay registration tax (which can be substantial, based on the car's value and emissions). Many expats find it cheaper to buy a car locally.

Useful Contacts

• Identity Malta: Residence permits and documentation — identitymalta.com
• Commissioner for Revenue: Tax registration — cfr.gov.mt
• ARMS Ltd: Electricity and water — arms.com.mt
• Transport Malta: Driving licences, vehicle registration — transport.gov.mt
• Housing Authority: Rental disputes — housingauthority.gov.mt
• Tallinja: Public transport app — tallinja.com
• Emergency: 112 (all emergencies), 196 (police)