Living in :
Malta
Once in Malta, there are more things you need to do. These include:
Registering your arrival
As an EU national you do not need a work permit to work in Malta. However it is always best to be prepared, and have employment set up before you go.
As an EU Citizen, you are entitled to stay freely in Malta for up to 3 months. However, if you plan to work, or know in advance that you plan to stay longer, you will need to apply to the Maltese Embassy or Consulate for a residence permit. Like most EU countries, this is just a formality and is usually granted without issue unless it goes directly against public health, public secuirty or public policy.
Chetcuti - Work Permits
Firstgozo - Residence & Tax
LowTax - Malta Entry & Residence
If you are already in Malta and need to apply for a residence permit from inside the country, you need to apply in person to the Immigration Authorities. You should be able to get the address to your local offices via your local town hall.
If you wish to apply for permanent residence, you need to be aware of the following:
Chetcuti - Permanent Residence
If you do choose this route, you must register your arrival within 15 days of taking up residence.
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Tax registration with the authorities
If planning on staying/working/buying a house or car, you must obtain a Social Security Number and a Tax Card. If employed, speak with your employer as they can help with this, however if you are self employed or have your own business, you must speak with your accountant to arrange registration.
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Registering children with daycare/school/universities
Be aware that most locals tend to use family members when it comes to early childcare arrangements. Daycare spaces are very limited and heavily faught for, so if you find one apply in plenty of time. Your local authority can help find daycare places. Kindergarten is available in most schools and free of charge for all children between the ages of 3 and 5.
The rules for compulsory schooling are simple. Children are expected to start school at the age of 5 and the education system is very similar to that of the British. One of the biggest decisions you need to make will be "Do I want my children educated in English, at an International school, or in a Maltese school?" These sites may help you with this decision.
Euro Education - Malta
About Malta - Education
Ministry of Education & Culture
Independent Schools - Malta
European Youth Portal - Studying in Malta
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Signing up with a Dr or Dentist etc
Nearly all (if not all) Doctors and Dentists are English speaking with English being one of the official languages of the island. You have a free choice of general practitioner, paediatrician and several specialists within your area, providing your choice does not bring the doctor's/dentist's list above the maximum patients permitted.
Ministry for Social Policy - Health Centres
Ministry for Social Policy - Primary Health Care Services
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Set up a bank account
Opening a bank account is quite simple. The two main banks are the Bank of Valletta and HSBC. You can open accounts both from in the country and abroad and some also allow you to do it online. You will need to provide ID eg, your passport and in some cases a copy of your residency/work permit.
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Convert your driving license?
The first thing you need to be aware of is if you move abroad, you cannot have your new international address added to your British driving licence.
Directgov - Driving Abroad on a GB Licence
You can apply for an International Driving Permit as a temporary solution although the Maltese authorities will accept your UK licence so this is not necessary. Information about this can be found here:
Driving Permit - International Driving Permit
Alternatively, you have two other choices. Either leave it with your last address in the UK, or submit it to the Maltese authorities and have it replaced with a Maltese Licence.
Regardless of your decision regarding your licence, you should familiarise yourself with the rules of the Maltese roads! This website should help you. The traffic laws are outlined here:
CarHire3000 - Driving in Malta
Europe Accident - Driving in Malta
And finally, please remember that although in the UK you can take and pass your driving test at the age of 17, in Malta, your licence is not valid until your 18th birthday! Other general differences can be found here:
ViaMichelin - Driving in Europe - Similarities and Differences
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Registering or buying a car
Deciding whether to take your car or not is something you will need to think about. What is "right" varies from person to person. For example, for my first move, I took my UK car with me for the first 6 months only. This gave me the security blanket when I wasn't sure if I would stay. Had I returned to the UK, I wouldn't have then had to look for a new car. Having decided to stay, I returned my UK car to the UK, and bought a local one. Just make sure that if you decide to take your own car, your insurance covers you properly with a "permanent green card"!
Don't forget you must also notify the DVLA if you plan to take your car out of the UK either temporarily or permanently.
Direct Gov - Taking your car abroad
Be aware when importing your car, the procedure is complex and import tax is very high, therefore, people rarely do it.
Chetcuti - Importation of Motor Vehicles
ADT - Malta Transport
If you decide to import your vehicle permanently, contact your local police station who can point you in the direction of the vehicle registration office. They will be able to give you information regarding all the proceedures which will need to be followed to ensure your car is legally registered in Malta.
When buying a new or second hand car, always go with someone who knows about cars so they can look at it and help you decide if it is worth the money the person is asking. If you are unsure, buy from a reputable dealer and one that offers warrenties in case something goes wrong. You can find good deals in local papers and on the internet, but make sure you check it out properly.
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Search for a job
There are a number of websites which focus on job searches in Malta. The following are a few, however we can not take liability for any of their content or claims. It is also worth actually going into agencies on the street with your up to date CV.
Jobs Abroad
4ICJ
Job Centre Plus
Executives on the Web
Tip Top Jobs
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Register for language courses
We Brits are terrible when it comes to learning languages! It's awful to walk around the shops and feel illiterate. Seeing the letters but not understanding the words. It can leave you feeling very isolated. Learning the language has many benefits. Firstly, it teaches you the essentials you will need to get by. Secondly, it helps you meet people - often people in a similar situation to yourself. And thirdly, it makes people take you more seriously on a daily basis.
Please check our Resources section to see if there is any further information on language courses.
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Recycling
Each area has its own recycling rules. Make sure you speak with neighbours or the local council to find out the rules for your area.
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If a student, check out the local student life
Once you know where you will be studying, contact your campus to find out about the local social life. Find out the "in" places to go and the local club scene. Most students work hard, but play harder!
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Marrying in Malta
When living in a foreign country, it is not unthinkable that you might meet and later want to marry someone in Malta.
Foreign Office - Marriage Abroad
Weddings by Govi
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British Nationals dying in Malta
While in Malta, although none of us wants to think about it, it is possible that you could be left to deal with the death of a loved one. There are many decisions to be made and the following website by the British Embassy in Valletta will be of help.
Foreign Office - Registering a Death
Foreign Office - Help if someone dies
The British Foreign Office have put together a booklet (PDF) which you can download.
Foreign Office - Death Overseas
Please also visit our Repatriation page where we go into this in more detail.
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Protect your pension
As a UK citizen you are entitled to a UK pension when you retire. This can and will be paid into your bank account anywhere in the world. However, whether you get a full or part pension at retirement age depends on your contributions.
Be aware that you are able to pay into a private pension for 5 years after you leave the UK, however advisers also suggest that you consider paying voluntary NI contributions to preserve your state pension entitlements.
You can find out how much to pay by calling the HMRC International Services Helpline on +44 (0) 845 9154811 giving them your UK NI Number. There are many ways to pay, the link below will be of use.
HM Revenue & Customs - Paying NI from abroad
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Keep an eye out for your work / residence permit / insurances / passport lapsing...
This may seem obvious but make sure you know exactly when each of your documents are due to expire! To begin with you may not be able to read the correspondence these companies are sending you. This makes renewal notices very difficult to understand. The last thing you want is to find out that part of your life is no longer legal... Whether it's your right to live in the country or your car insurance have those dates marked clearly somewhere that you check regularly and if it spans more than one year... make sure you copy it over to the following year!
If your passport is due to expire you will need this website:
Foreign Office - Passports
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Emergencies
Emergency Services can be reached by dialing 112, however if you want to get hold of a specific service you can call the following numbers.
Police - 112
Ambulance - 112
Fire Bregade - 112
If anything else goes seriously wrong, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office offers the following help:
Foreign Office - When things go wrong
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