The new Malta Nomad Residence Permit, enables individuals to maintain their current job in another country, whilst they legally reside in Malta.
Malta Nomad Residence Permit – Eligibility for Third Country Individuals
To be eligible for this Permit, an individual must be able to work remotely and independently of his/her location, and needs to use telecommunication technologies.
Malta has already welcomed a number of EU digital nomads. This community of ‘nomads’, enjoys Malta’s climate and lifestyle, and have already begun to interact with people with similar ideas, to add value to the community.
The Nomad Residence Permit in Malta opens up this opportunity to third country citizens, who would usually need a visa to travel to Malta. This permit lasts for one year and can be renewed at the discretion of Residency Malta, as long as the individual still meets the criteria.
If the third-country applicant for the digital nomad permit wants to stay less than a year in Malta, he/she will receive a National Visa for the duration of the stay, rather than a residence card.
Criteria
Applicants for the Nomad Residence Permit must:
Prove they can work remotely using telecommunication technologies
Be third country nationals.
Prove they work in any of the following categories:
Work for an employer registered in a foreign country and have a contract for this work, or
Perform business activities for a company registered in a foreign country, and be a partner/shareholder of said company, or
Offer freelance or consulting services, mainly to customers whose permanent establishment is in a foreign country, and have supporting contracts to verify this.
Earn a monthly income of €2,700 gross of tax. If there are additional family members, they will each have to satisfy the income requirements as specified by the Agency Policy.
In addition to the above, applicants must also:
Possess a valid travel document.
Have health insurance, which covers all risks in Malta.
Have a valid contract of property rental or property purchase.
Pass a background verification check.
Application Process
The applicant must complete all of the documents required by the Residency Malta Agency.
After submitting all of the documents digitally, the individual will receive instructions for payment of a €300 administrative fee, for each applicant.
The application will then be reviewed by the Agency and other Maltese Authorities, who will contact the individual by email, when the process is complete.
Finally, the applicant will need to submit biometric data for the Nomad Residence Permit or National Visa, and the process will then be concluded.
Additional Information
If you require any further information regarding the Nomad Residence Permit, please contact Henno Kotze at the Dixcart office in Malta: advice.malta@dixcart.com, or speak to your usual Dixcart contact.
Dixcart Management Malta Limited Licence Number: AKM-DIXC-22
Malta offers 9 residence programmes to meet different individual circumstances. Some are appropriate for non-EU individuals while others provide an incentive for EU residents to move to Malta.
The residence programmes and the tax benefits they can provide for individuals, where relevant, are detailed below.
Malta Citizenship by Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment
‘Maltese Citizenship by Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment’ is Available to EU/EEA and Non-EU Passport Holders and provides foreign individuals and their families, who contribute to the economic development of Malta, a route to becoming citizens of Malta.
Applicants can opt for residence in Malta, leading to citizenship choosing between two options:
application after three years of residence in Malta, for a lower contribution fee; OR
application for citizenship after one year of residence in Malta.
To be able to apply for Maltese Citizenship by Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment, an applicant needs to make a direct investment to the Maltese economy, make a donation, and hold a residential property.
Exceptional Services Requirements
Direct Investment
Applicants, who can prove residency status in Malta for 36 months prior to the naturalization, are required to make a direct investment of €600,000 whilst applicants who prove a residency status in Malta for at least 12 months are required to make an exceptional direct investment of €750,000.
If the applicant is accompanied by qualifying dependants, a further investment of €50,000 per dependant is to be made.
An applicant cannot apply for a certificate of citizenship by naturalisation for exceptional services, before he/she has proved that he/she has become a resident of Malta for the minimum period required.
Philanthropic Donation
Prior to the issue of a certificate of Maltese citizenship, the applicant must donate a minimum €10,000 to a registered philanthropic, cultural, sport, scientific, animal welfare or artistic non-governmental organisation or society, or as otherwise approved by the Agency.
Property Investment
Once an applicant is approved and prior to the issue of a certificate of Maltese citizenship, the application must either purchase or rent residential property in Malta. If the applicant opts to purchase a property, an investment of at least €700,000 must be made. An applicant may alternatively take a lease on a residential immovable property in Malta, for a minimum annual rent of €16,000. The applicant must retain the property for at least 5 years from the date of the issue of the certificate of Maltese citizenship.
Tax Advantages Available to Individuals
Individuals will be taxed on Malta source income and certain gains arising in Malta. They will not be taxed on non-Malta source income not remitted to Malta, or Capital remitted to Malta. In addition, they will not be taxed on capital gains even if this income is remitted to Malta.
MALTA PERMANENT RESIDENCE
The Malta Permanent Residence programme is available to non-EU individuals and enables them to reside indefinitely in Malta.
Successful applicants receive Permanent Maltese residence immediately and a 5 year residence card. The card is renewed every 5 years if the requirements of the programme are still being met. There are two options with regards to this programme:
Option 1: Rent a property and pay the full contribution:
Pay the €40,000 non-refundable administrative fee; AND
Rent a property with a minimum of €12,000 per year (€10,000 if the property is situated in Gozo or the south of Malta); AND,
Pay the full Government contribution of €58,000; AND
Make a donation of €2,000 to a local philanthropic, cultural, scientific, artistic, sport or animal welfare NGO registered with the Commissioner of Voluntary Organisations.
Option 2: Purchase a property and pay a reduced contribution:
Pay the €40,000 non-refundable administrative fee; AND
Purchase a property with a minimum value of €350,000 (€300,000 if the property is situated in Gozo or the south of Malta); AND,
Pay the reduced Government contribution of €28,000; AND
Make a donation of €2,000 to a local philanthropic, cultural, scientific, artistic, sport or animal welfare NGO registered with the Commissioner of Voluntary Organisations.
It is possible to include up to 4 generations in one application if it can be proven that the additional applicants are principally dependant on the main applicant.
An additional Government Contribution of €7,500 is required for each additional adult dependant (excluding the spouse) included in the application.
Applicants must show capital assets of not less than €500,000, out of which a minimum of €150,000 must be financial assets.
Tax Advantages Available to Individuals
Individuals, taking advantage of this programme, who are not of Maltese origin and intend to stay in Malta for some considerable time but do not intend to permanently establish themselves in Malta, will be classified as resident but not domiciled in Malta.
Such individuals will be taxed on Malta source income and certain gains arising in Malta. They will not be taxed on non-Malta source income not remitted to Malta. Capital gains will not be taxed even if they are remitted to Malta.
GLOBAL RESIDENCE PROGRAMME
The Global Residence Programme entitles non-EU nationals to obtain a special Malta Tax Status and Maltese residence permit through a minimum investment in property in Malta.
Successful applicants can relocate to Malta if they choose to do so. They also have the right to travel to any country within the Schengen Zone of countries without the need for an additional visa(s). There is no minimum day stay requirement, however successful applicants may not reside in any other jurisdiction for more than 183 days per year.
To qualify for the scheme an individual must purchase property costing a minimum of €275,000 or pay a minimum of €9,600 per annum in rent. If the property is in Gozo or the south of Malta the minimum property value is €250,000 or €220,000 respectively, or a minimum rent payment of €8,750 per annum is required. In addition, an applicant must not spend more than 183 days in any other jurisdiction in any single calendar year.
Tax Advantages Available to Individuals – Global Residence Programme
A flat rate of 15% tax is charged on foreign income remitted to Malta, with a minimum amount of €15,000 tax payable per annum (income arising in Malta is taxed at a flat rate of 35%). This applies to income from the applicant, his/her spouse and any dependants jointly.
Foreign source income not remitted to Malta is not taxed in Malta.
Individuals may also be able to claim double taxation relief under the regime.
THE MALTA RESIDENCE PROGRAMME
The Malta Residence Programme entitles EU nationals to obtain a special Malta Tax Status and Maltese residence permit through a minimum investment in property in Malta.
To qualify for the scheme an individual must purchase property costing a minimum of €275,000 or pay a minimum of €9,600 per annum in rent. If the property is in Gozo or the south of Malta the minimum property value is €250,000 or €220,000 respectively, or a minimum rent payment of €8,750 per annum is required. In addition, an applicant must not spend more than 183 days in any other jurisdiction in any single calendar year.
There is no minimum day stay requirement, however successful applicants may not reside in any other jurisdiction for more than 183 days per year.
Tax Advantages Available to Individuals –The Malta Residence Programme
A flat rate of 15% tax is charged on foreign income remitted to Malta, with a minimum amount of €15,000 tax payable per annum (income arising in Malta is taxed at a flat rate of 35%). This applies to income from the applicant, his/her spouse and any dependants jointly.
Foreign source income not remitted to Malta is not taxed in Malta.
Individuals may also be able to claim double taxation relief under the regime.
HIGHLY QUALIFIED PERSONS PROGRAMME
The Highly Qualified Persons Scheme is directed towards professional individuals earning over €86,938 per annum (basis year 2021), employed in Malta on a contractual basis.
This scheme is open to EU nationals for five years (may be extended 2 times – 15 years in total) and to non-EU nationals for four years (may be extended 2 times – 12 years in total. A list of qualifying positions is available on request.
Tax Advantages Available to Individuals – Highly Qualified Persons Programme
Income tax is set at a flat rate of 15% for qualifying individuals (instead of paying income tax on an ascending scale with a current maximum top rate of 35%).
No tax is payable on income earned over €5,000,000 relating to an employment contract for any one individual.
RETIREMENT PROGRAMME
The Malta Retirement Programme is available to EU and non-EU nationals whose main source of income is their pension.
An individual must own or rent a property in Malta as his/her principal place of residence in the world. The minimum value of the property must be €275,000 in Malta or €220,000 in Gozo or south Malta; alternatively, property must be leased for a minimum of €9,600 annually in Malta or €8,750 annually in Gozo or south Malta.
In addition, there is a requirement for an applicant to reside in Malta for a minimum of 90 days each calendar year, averaged over any five-year period. Individuals must not reside in any other jurisdiction for more than 183 days in any calendar year during which they benefit from the Malta Retirement Programme.
Tax Advantages Available to Individuals – The Retirement Programme
An attractive flat rate of 15% tax is charged on a pension remitted to Malta. The minimum amount of tax payable is €7,500 per annum for the beneficiary and €500 per annum for each dependant.
Income that arises in Malta is taxed at a flat rate of 35%.
Key Employee Initiative
Malta’s ‘Key Employee Initiative’ is available to non-EU passport holders and is applicable to managerial and/or highly technical professionals with relevant qualifications or adequate experience relating to a specific job.
Successful applicants receive a fast-track work/residence permit, which is valid for one year. This can be renewed annually.
Applicants must provide proof and the following information to the ‘Expatriates Unit’: Annual gross salary of at least €30,000 per annum. Certified copies of relevant qualifications warrant or proof of appropriate work experience. Declaration by the employer stating that the applicant has the necessary credentials to perform the required duties.
Tax Advantages Available to Individuals
The standard Remittance Basis of Taxation apply. Individuals that intend to stay in Malta for some considerable time but do not intend to permanently establish themselves in Malta, will be classified as resident but not domiciled in Malta. Income earned in Malta is taxed on a progressive scale with a maximum rate of 35%. Non-Malta sourced income not remitted to Malta or Capital remitted to Malta are not taxed.
The Qualifying Employment in Innovation & Creativity Scheme
The scheme is targeted towards certain professional individuals earning over €52,000 per annum and employed in Malta by a qualifying employer on a contractual basis. The applicant can be a national of any country.
The scheme is available for a consecutive period of not more than 3 years.
Tax Advantages Available to Individuals
Income tax is set at a flat rate of 15% for qualifying individuals (instead of paying income tax on an ascending scale with a current maximum top rate of 35%).
Nomad Residence Permit
The Malta Nomad Residence Permit enables third country individuals to maintain their current job in another country, whilst they legally reside in Malta. The permit can be for a period of between 6 and 12 months. If a 12 month permit is issued then the individual will receive a residence card which allow for visa-free travel throughout the Schengen Member States. The permit may be renewed at the discretion of the agency.
Applicants for the Nomad Residence Permit must:
Prove they can work remotely using telecommunication technologies
Be third country nationals.
Prove they work in any of the following categories:
Work for an employer registered in a foreign country and have a contract for this work, or
Perform business activities for a company registered in a foreign country, and be a partner/shareholder of said company, or
Offer freelance or consulting services, mainly to customers whose permanent establishment is in a foreign country, and have supporting contracts to verify this.
Earn a monthly income of €2,700 gross of tax. If there are additional family members, they will each have to satisfy the income requirements as specified by the Agency Policy.
Tax Advantages Available to Individuals
Successful applicants will not be taxed on their income as the income will be taxed in their home country.
How Can Dixcart Assist?
Dixcart can assist in providing advice as to which programme would be most appropriate for each individual or family. We can also organise visits to Malta, make the application for the relevant Maltese residence programme, assist with property searches and purchases, and provide a comprehensive range of individual and professional commercial services once relocation has taken place.
Additional Information
For further information about moving to Malta please contact Henno Kotze: advice.malta@dixcart.com at the Dixcart office in Malta. Alternatively, please speak to your usual Dixcart contact.
Dixcart Management Malta Limited Licence Number: AKM-DIXC-22
In 2020, the Maltese government has revisited its citizenship legislation to consider all matters relating to citizenship by birth, by registration, by naturalisation, dual and multiple citizenships and for exceptional services by direct investment.
A Residency Route Which Can Lead to Citizenship in Malta
Malta is a member of the European Union and all its citizens can travel, live, work, study and set up business in any of the member countries together with visa-free travel rights to more than 180 countries.
Community Malta Agency (the Agency) is the authorised Maltese Government Agency responsible for administering the processing of all applications, leading to Maltese Citizenship.
Under the new regulations, applicants can opt for residence in Malta, leading to citizenship choosing between two options:
application after three years of residence in Malta, for a lower contribution fee; OR
application for citizenship after one year of residence in Malta.
To be able to apply for Maltese Citizenship by Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment, an applicant needs to make a direct investment to the Maltese economy, make a donation and hold a residential property.
Exceptional Services Requirements
Direct Investment
Applicants, who can prove residency status in Malta for 36 months prior to the naturalization, are required to make a direct investment of €600,000 whilst applicants who prove a residency status in Malta for at least 12 months are required to make an exceptional direct investment of €750,000.
If the applicant is accompanied by qualifying dependants, a further investment of €50,000 per dependant is to be made.
An applicant cannot apply for a certificate of citizenship by naturalisation for exceptional services, before he/she has proved that he/she has become a resident of Malta for the minimum period required.
Philanthropic Donation
Prior to the issue of a certificate of Maltese citizenship, the applicant must donate a minimum €10,000 to a registered philanthropic, cultural, sport, scientific, animal welfare or artistic non-governmental organisation or society, or as otherwise approved by the Agency.
Property Investment
Once an applicant is approved and prior to the issue of a certificate of Maltese citizenship, the application must either purchase or rent residential property in Malta. If the applicant opts to purchase a property, an investment of at least €700,000 must be made. An applicant may alternatively take a lease on a residential immovable property in Malta, for a minimum annual rent of €16,000. The applicant must retain the property for at least 5 years from the date of the issue of the certificate of Maltese citizenship.
Agent
All individuals interested in applying for this programme, are required to do so through a registered approved agent, who will be acting on behalf of the client in all matters related to the Application for Eligibility and Application for Citizenship.
The Dixcart office in Malta can assist with the agency services.
Eligibility Criteria for Applicants
The Malta government aims to attract people of the highest calibre through the Malta Citizenship by Direct Investment and grant them Maltese residence, following a rigorous due diligence process and adherence to strict criteria.
To be eligible for the Malta Citizenship by Direct Investment, an applicant must meet a number of criteria:
Be 18 years of age, or older. Eligibility may also extend to applicant’s dependants including the spouse or de facto partner, or a person with whom a relationship is held through a status which is the same as or similar to marriage, children, parents and grandparents under certain terms;
Is willing to contribute, through an exceptional direct investment, to the economic and social development of the Republic of Malta;
Provides proof that he/she has been a resident in Malta for at least 12 or 36 months preceding the day of issue, of the certificate of naturalisation;
Meets all the application requirements; and
Commits to providing proof of residence in Malta and proof of title to a residential property in Malta in accordance with the regulations.
Quota
It is important to note that a maximum quota of 400 applicants per year will be accepted with a total maximum number of applicants set at 1,500 for the entire scheme.
Additional Information
If you would like any further information on the Maltese Citizenship by Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment please contact the Dixcart office in Malta: advice.malta@dixcart.com or your usual Dixcart contact.
Dixcart Management Malta Limited Licence Number: AKM-DIXC-22
Until recently, the Malta Retirement Programme was only available to applicants from EU, EEA, or Switzerland. It is now available to EU and non-EU nationals and is designed to attract individuals who are not in employment but instead are in receipt of a pension as their regular source of income.
Individuals taking advantage of the Malta Retirement Programme, can hold a non-executive position on the board of a company, resident in Malta. They would, however, be prohibited from being employed by the company in any capacity. Such individuals can also be engaged in activities related to an institution, trust or foundation of a public nature, that is involved in philanthropic, educational, or research and development activities in Malta.
Benefits of the Malta Retirement Programme
In addition to the lifestyle benefits of living on a Mediterranean island, which enjoys more than 300 days of sunshine per year, individuals benefiting from the Malta Retirement Programme are granted a special tax status.
An attractive flat rate of 15% tax is charged on a pension remitted to Malta. The minimum amount of tax payable is €7,500 per annum for the beneficiary and €500 per annum for each dependant.
Income that arises in Malta is taxed at a flat rate of 35%.
Who May Apply?
Applicants who meet the following criteria are eligible to apply for the Malta Retirement Programme:
Non-Maltese nationals.
Own or rent a property in Malta as his/her principal place of residence in the world. The minimum value of the property must be €275,000 in Malta or €220,000 in Gozo or south Malta; alternatively, property must be rented for a minimum of €9,600 annually in Malta or €8,750 annually in Gozo or south Malta. Applicants renting the property must take out the lease for a minimum period of 12 months, and a copy of the lease contract needs to be submitted with the application.
The pension which is received in Malta must constitute at least 75% of the beneficiary’s chargeable income. This means that the beneficiary can only earn up to 25% of his/her total chargeable income from any non-executive post(s), as referred to above.
Applicants must have Global Health Insurance and provide evidence that they can maintain this for an indefinite period.
The applicant must not be domiciled in Malta and should have no intention of becoming domiciled in Malta, within the next 5 years. Domicile means the country where you officially have a permanent home or have a substantial connection with. You can have more than one residence, but only one domicile.
Applicants must reside in Malta for a minimum of 90 days in each calendar year, averaged over any five-year period.
The applicant must not reside in another jurisdiction for more than 183 days in any one calendar year during the period that they benefit from the Malta Retirement Programme.
Special Carer
A ‘special carer’ is an individual who has been providing substantial and regular, curative or rehabilitative health care services to the beneficiary or his/her dependants, for at least three years prior to an application for special tax status, under the Malta Retirement Programme.
A special carer may reside in Malta with the beneficiary, in the qualifying property.
Where the care has not been provided for a minimum period of three years, but has been provided on a regular basis for a long and established period, the Commissioner in Malta may assess that this criteria has been met. It is important that the provision of such services is formalised by a contract of service.
A special carer would be subject to tax in Malta, at the standard progressive rates and is precluded from benefiting from the 15% tax rate. The special carer must register with the relevant tax authorities in Malta.
Applying to the Malta Retirement Programme
An Authorised Registered Mandatory in Malta must apply to the Commissioner of the Inland Revenue on behalf of an applicant. This is to ensure that the individual enjoys the special tax status as provided in the programme. A non-refundable administrative fee of €2,500 is payable to the Government on application.
Dixcart Management Malta Limited is an Authorised Registered Mandatory.
Individuals with special tax status are required to submit an annual return to the Commissioner of the Inland Revenue, with evidence that they have met the specified criteria.
Additional Information
If you would like further information regarding retirement in Malta, please speak to Henno Kotze: advice.malta@dixcart.com at the Dixcart office in Malta or your usual Dixcart contact.
The recent pandemic is causing many individuals to re-evaluate what is of key importance in life and how they see their future lifestyle.
CV-19, unwelcome in so many ways, has caused us to draw breath and consider that ‘fast and frantic’ may not be the best approach to life.
People and their families are spending more time together and finding alternative ways to keep occupied, centred around the family home. Although restrictive, many have discovered new levels of appreciation of family and lifestyle during this time. New ways have been found to relax, including family exercise, new hobbies, a healthier focus on life, and calming and wellbeing focused activities.
Longer Term Alternatives
Longer term, a slower pace of life on an on-going basis, has become more attractive, to many.
One way to achieve this is to move location and a small island destination can be of appeal.
Not only is the lifestyle refreshing but an island can be ring-fenced rapidly when a crisis occurs, as witnessed with CV-19. The flow of people in and out can be restricted far more easily when a country does not have ‘on-land borders’ and is not a central hub for flights.
Dixcart Domiciles
Dixcart Domiciles assists individuals to relocate and/or to take up alternative residence or citizenship options.
Life-style related factors will always be a priority, and particularly so in the future due to recent circumstances. However, movement to a jurisdiction with an attractive tax regime will often be a major influencer as well, together with other financial and wealth planning factors including few or no forced heirship rules, a lack of exchange control, and a business-friendly environment encouraging and enabling entrepreneurial activity.
Guernsey
The island of Guernsey is the second largest of the Channel Islands, which are situated in the English Channel close to the French coast of Normandy. It is well known for its temperate climate, relaxed high quality of living and has a quintessential British charm.
In addition to Guernsey, the island of Sark falls within the Bailiwick of Guernsey. Sark is a small island (2.10 square miles) with a population of approximately 600 and has no motorised transport.
The island of Guernsey is about 79 square kilometres, with almost the same area of stunning coastline. It has an approximate population of 65,000, with a warm and thriving community. It combines many of the reassuring elements of UK culture, with the benefits of living abroad.
Guernsey is perfect for families. Crime is extremely low on the island and the education system is superb. Guernsey offers around 2,000 hours of sun per annum and there is a range of sport and leisure activities available for all ages. These range from coastal walks, cycling, and golf, to surfing, sailing and diving.
Isle of Man
The Isle of Man is situated in the Irish Sea, centrally located between England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales and it is a beautiful place to live. Whilst the island may be small, just 572 square kilometres, with its rugged coastline and rolling hills, it offers plenty of space for families to breathe, relax and enjoy what island life has to offer.
The Isle of Man has been a self-governing Crown Dependency since 1866, and this political independence, combined with its strong democratic values, have enabled the Isle of Man to be governed efficiently over the past 154 years.
The Isle of Man Government adopts a forward-thinking and pragmatic approach, which allows the close-knit community of approximately 85,000 people to benefit from a healthy and relaxed lifestyle. The Isle of Man Sports Council supports various sport activities across, and the island is recognised as having one of the lowest crime rates across Europe. In the recent few years, the government has invested in programmes to modernise schools, and transport. In addition, the island has a high-quality workforce and access to a very good health care system.
Malta
Malta offers the climate, the relaxed lifestyle and rich history to make living on this island, a real pleasure. Malta is a popular tourist destination with its warm climate, numerous recreational areas, and architectural and historical monuments, including three UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Located in the Mediterranean, just south of Sicily, Malta offers all of the advantage of being a full member of the EU and Schengen Member States and has English as one of its two official languages. Malta is also very well connected with most of the international airlines (such as British Airways, Lufthansa, Emirates, Qatar, Turkish Airlines, Ryanair, EasyJet, WizzAir and Swiss, to name a few), which fly to Malta almost daily.
Its location in the centre of the Mediterranean has historically given it great strategic importance as a naval base, with a succession of powers having contested and ruled the islands. Most of the foreign influences have left some sort of mark on the country’s ancient history.
Malta’s economy has enjoyed large growth since joining the EU and the forward-thinking Government actively encourages new business sectors and technologies.
St Kitts & Nevis
St Kitts & Nevis offers an extremely appealing Caribbean lifestyle.
The Federation of St Kitts & Nevis is made of up two islands situated in the Caribbean Sea and are approximately three hours by plane from Miami, four hours by plane from New York and eight hours by plane from London. There are direct flights from all of these cities and many local air connections to other Caribbean islands.
St Kitts & Nevis has a population of approximately 53,000 and English is the official language. Before gaining status as an independent country in 1983, St Kitts & Nevis was part of Britain for over 200 years, which is why British traditions still play an important role in the diverse culture of the islands.
St Kitts & Nevis has a tropical climate, with little variation and is therefore warm and sunny throughout the year. The islands have a volcanic origin and are dominated by centrally located mountains and tropical rainforests, fringed by beautiful sandy beaches and palm trees.
Real estate is of international standard. Applicants have the choice of investing in unique real estate or buying into a premier market with a ready inventory of condominiums, apartments, hotels, villas, and luxury homes, which continue to be developed across the islands.
How can Dixcart help?
Dixcart offers advice and assistance to individuals seeking to relocate to; Guernsey, Isle of Man, Malta, and St Kitts & Nevis.
If you require additional information regarding relocation to any of the jurisdictions detailed in this Information Note, please contact: advice@dixcart.com or speak to one of the following Dixcart contacts:
Dixcart Trust Corporation Limited, Guernsey: Full Fiduciary Licence granted by the Guernsey Financial Services Commission, registered company number: 6512.
Dixcart Management (IOM) Limited is licensed by the Isle of Man Financial Services Authority.
Malta today is a very popular destination not only for tourists, but also for expats.
There are numerous reasons why expats enjoy living in Malta today:
Malta’s Mediterranean climate results in 300 days of sunshine a year.
English is one of the official languages, which makes communication easy.
The cost of living is relatively low.
Malta is a very hospitable place and is family-friendly.
It has one of the lowest crime rates in Europe.
Good medical services with public hospitals and many private clinics.
Because of the big number of expats on the island, there is excellent social life with events planned throughout the year.
We interviewed Giorgia, an expat living in Malta and an employee of a company that uses serviced office space in the Dixcart Malta Business Centre.
Where do you come from and when did you move to Malta?
I come from the north of Italy.
I moved to Malta for work purposes about 2 years ago. I received an offer from the company which allowed me to work from home if my children were sick – it was a great opportunity to change my job. On the occasions when I am alone with the kids on the island is not easy, so the flexibility is very important.
What to think about before moving to Malta?
You do not have to think about a lot of things before coming. You can’t do much remotely, you can organise almost everything once you’re here in Malta. Just book a flight and book accommodation for the first week in a hotel that is relatively central.
Was it easy to find property?
We started looking a couple of months before moving to Malta to find an apartment. Malta is a popular destination, so rental stock keeps on changing and the prices increase all the time.
What are the main obstacles Expats have to overcome in Malta today?
Bureaucracy is not an issue. We had a residency card in no time. It was quick, probably, it was easier for us because we are EU-nationals.
What I find a bit awkward here is the health system. Being a wealthy country – having low unemployment and low public debt, I would expect the public health system to be more personalised. In the public system you are not assigned to a specific doctor. When you come to the health centre you might visit a different doctor each time and not all of them have access to your medical history. If you go private you can visit doctors in a pharmacy and then it will be the same person. What is good, especially having children, is if you need a doctor to come to your house, it is not a problem. If you have an urgent matter after the pharmacies are closed, the doctor will visit you at home. There are no Government subsidies for medication; these are at the resident’s expense, unless you have private insurance.
What are the best aspects of living in Malta today?
The weather and the climate. People are also very nice. It takes time for them to trust you. At first, they may make a barrier between you, so you should make the first move, but once you break that barrier you will have a nice relationship. For the kids it is safe place and I am not worried that I might be burgled. Living in Malta is also a good opportunity for the kids to learn English.
What are the weekend activities on the island?
First of all, you should like the idea of living on a small island. If you do, then you will find a lot of things to do. There is always something to do on an island; plenty of events and plenty of initiatives.
How does the cost of living in Malta compare to your home country of Italy?
It depends, because some things cost more, some less. Private schools cost more, but extra scholar activities like sports and robotics courses cost less. There are a number of activities funded by the Government, for example music, dance classes etc. Medication costs less, but you cannot deduct medical expenses from your tax return.
Any advice to give anyone moving to Malta?
In Malta a lot of things work by ‘word of mouth’, so I would recommend building up a network with friends you will feel much more comfortable.
How do taxes in Malta compare to your home country (Italy)?
The taxes in Malta are lower. There is no property tax, there is also no tax on waste. There are only housing and utility bills, but that would be true anywhere.
If you had to do it again, would you move to Malta today?
If you think too much about the move then there is probably no place on earth you would go to. There will always be something that you will not like, but not being on the ground it is difficult to say how it will be. Unless you experience it yourself you won’t know how it is. Each of us have different needs, different requirements, different family situations, different interests.
For me island life is great and I like it.
Summary
Dixcart has a Business Centre, offering serviced office space, located in the same building as the Dixcart office in Malta. For the expats working there, it of considerable benefit to be able to speak to Dixcart members of staff in Malta and to discuss any matters that will make living and working on the island as smooth as possible.
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