Malta is becoming an attractive destination for Americans looking to relocate, offering a mix of rich culture, a stable economy, beautiful landscapes, and EU membership benefits. This guide explains why Malta stands out, the benefits of living there, and key steps to make the move easier.
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Moving to Malta from the US
Diverse, bustling and affordable, Malta offers fantastic opportunities for Americans seeking to relocate to Europe. Whether you are a US expat looking for a job, a family seeking a second home, or an American retiree longing to move to Europe, you will find what you need in Malta. This guide gives you useful information to successfully relocate from the USA to Malta.
About Malta
A true gem of the Mediterranean, Malta is a small European nation located in the South, close to Italy. It has three islands — Gozo, Comino and Malta — covering an area of 316 km2 and a population of 514,564 inhabitants. Its official languages are Maltese and English.
Because of its rich history, Malta is filled with charming paved streets, stunning churches, and palaces. Gifted with a Mediterranean climate it has very agreeable sunny weather, and plenty of beautiful beaches to explore.
Malta’s size is perfect for those looking for a quality and relaxed lifestyle by the sea. For those looking for excitement, there are also many activities and festivities going on in Malta.
Moving to Malta from the US – Why do it?
Benefits of living in Malta as a US expat
Great quality of life
Efficient and free healthcare system
Obtain the Maltese passport in one year
Visa-free access to 183 countries
Live, work and study in Malta
Balance of relaxed and active lifestyle
Where to live in Malta as a US expat
Below is a list of some of the best cities to live in Malta.
- Valletta: the vibrant capital city of Malta and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- St. Paul: idyllic location and popular expats’ destination.
- Victoria: the peaceful and relaxed capital city of Gozo island.
- Mdina: A small, quiet and medieval city in the North of Malta.
- Birgu: The very tranquil and historic southeastern city of Malta.
Cost of living in Malta vs USA
Quality and affordability define the cost of living in Malta. Coming from the US, you will find that the cost of living in Malta is considerably lower.
Renting costs
Rental prices in Malta are very affordable. In the capital city Valletta you can rent a fully furnished one-bedroom apartment for €952. Compared to the US, rental prices in Malta are 34% cheaper.
Cost of groceries
Imported products can be more expensive than average in Malta. However, you can find cheap, locally produced food at Maltese markets and very affordable quality local and imported Italian products.
Restaurant prices
Famous for its excellent cuisine and the freshness of its products, eating out in Malta is a fantastic experience. Maltese restaurants have an excellent price-quality ratio. For example, a meal for two in a nice restaurant will cost between €30 and €50.
Category | Malta (Monthly Average) | United States (Monthly Average) |
| Rent (1-bedroom, City Center) | €1,085 ($1,085) | $2,000 – $3,500 |
| Rent (1-bedroom, Outside City Center) | €910 ($910) | $1,200 – $2,500 |
| Public Transport (Monthly Pass) | €26 ($26) | $70 – $120 |
| Gasoline (per liter) | €1.32 ($1.32) | $0.90 – $1.20 |
| Food (Monthly Groceries) | €200 – €400 ($200 – $400) | $300 – $600 |
| Dining Out (Mid-range Restaurant for 2) | €30 – €50 ($30 – $50) | $50 – $100 |
| Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, Garbage) | €70 – €100 ($70 – $100) | $150 – $300 |
| Internet (Monthly) | €30 – €50 ($30 – $50) | $50 – $100 |
Moving to Malta from the US for Retirement
Malta is an excellent location for Americans looking for retirement options in Europe. Not only is the cost of living very affordable and cheaper than in the US, but the island is also small and easy to navigate, with a lively expat community, and free access to excellent health services.
Here are also some more benefits of relocating to Malta:
- Tasty pastries on every corner
- Parties all summer long
- 300+ days of sunshine
- Well-paid jobs are available
- English is an official language
- Cheap flights across Europe
- Tax benefits and incentives
- Thriving fin-tech sector
- Friendly cryptocurrency nation
How to move to Malta from the US
Obtain Malta residency
- Malta Digital Nomad visa: This program allows working US citizens to work remotely from Malta, providing you have a permanent leased or purchased address in Malta and fulfill salary requirements. For more information,
- Malta Permanent Residence Program (MPRP): The program allows US citizens to obtain Maltese permanent residency, provided that you own or rent property in Malta, make a financial contribution to the Maltese Government, purchase or lease real estate and make a donation.
- Malta Retirement Program (MRP): This program allows US citizens to obtain life-long residency, providing their pension covers 75% of their taxable incom,e and they are willing to invest in Malta real estate.
- Malta Global Residence Programme (GRP): This program allows economically independent US citizens to obtain long-term residence in Malta providing you purchase or rent a qualifying property as your main place of residence. For more information.
Take a look at our
Malta Citizenship Ultimate Guide by local experts
A few tips on moving from the US to Malta
A lot of US citizens moving to Malta have similar questions on their minds regarding their visit and relocation to the island-nation. The following short list of tips on how to move to Malta from the USA addresses some of those questions:
- Americans who want to relocate to Malta as investors or business representatives can get a Malta visa for commercial purposes. They will need an employment certificate to verify the purpose of their visit when submitting their application.
- To demonstrate that American citizens have not violated the law, they must hold a clean criminal record and show proof of it.
- In cases of relocation for medical reasons such as treatments, individuals will have to provide a medical report when applying for the Malta visa for medical purposes. US citizens must provide proof of accommodation in Malta in addition to other requested documents when submitting their visa application.
- After receiving the visa, individuals must continue with the required procedures to become permanent residents of Malta.
- A certificate of enrolment must be presented by the university which accepted the American citizen’s application for study in Malta.
- Applicants can open a bank account in Malta.
- In the case that a business relocates from the United States to Malta, the company must be de-registered in the USA, and supplier contracts must be completed. The business will then be registered in Malta.
Malta Real Estate
Purchasing property in Malta is a great asset to have, as well as a requirement to obtain Malta Permanent Residency or Malta Citizenship. In the last few years, Malta real estate has been considerably growing and offers fantastic housing options such as apartments, farmhouses, terraced houses, villas, and bungalows.
Below is an estimation of Malta’s real estate current prices according to property types:
- €204,707 for a 1-bedroom studio
- €400,000+ for 3-bedroom apartments
- €723,000 for 3-bedroom duplexes
- €1.5 million for a 4-bedroom villa
American citizens can purchase a home in Malta in a pretty straightforward way. The following are key points to bear in mind:
- Before purchasing a property in Malta, real estate due diligence is necessary since this procedure can reveal if the property has debts or other issues.
- Working with a real estate firm is recommended for you to be certain that the price you pay is reasonable.
- A preliminary agreement will be completed along with a down payment for the property.
- The Acquisition of Immovable Property permit, or AIP, is required for American citizens to purchase real estate in Malta. Upon payment of the property, you will also need proof of your bank transfer.
- A notary then examines and signs all of the paperwork.
Expat communities in Malta
Due to the high quality of life it offers, Malta is very popular among expats. While there are few Americans in Malta, there is a large community of British, Australians, and European expatriates. There are always plenty of activities organized to connect and meet like-minded individuals such as lunches, lectures, and walks.
As part of our commitment to providing transparent and reliable services, we are proud to be a licensed agent in Malta, holding the official license number AKM-AGEN. This certification demonstrates our dedication to the highest standards in the investment migration industry and further enhances our ability to offer expert guidance and support to our clients.
How Can Global Citizen Solutions Help You?
Global Citizen Solutions is a boutique migration consultancy firm with years of experience delivering bespoke residence and citizenship by investment solutions for international families. With offices worldwide and an experienced, hands-on team, we have helped hundreds of clients worldwide acquire citizenship, residence visas, or homes while diversifying their portfolios with robust investments.
We guide you from start to finish, taking you beyond your citizenship or residency by investment application.
