Welcome To The Maltese Islands

The Maltese archipelago is made up of three small islands. The largest island is Malta (316km²), the second-largest is Gozo (67km²) and the third is Comino (3.5km²). Together, they make up a population of just over 400,000 people residing on these islands situated in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea.

Why is Malta’s lifestyle so appealing?

Malta’s Mediterranean lifestyle is becoming increasingly popular for relocating families and businesses alike. Surrounded by heritage, a wealthy history, magnificent architecture, not to mention a sunny climate and spectacular landscapes, Malta is an attractive option for all.

If you want to discover the Maltese Islands, we are giving you a preview of the wonders you are about to uncover.

A fully enriched history

Although small in size, Malta occupies an enormous history that spans over 10,000 years. Malta’s first inhabitants were the Phoenicians who settled on our islands in the 9th Century BC. The list of foreign settlers includes the Carthaginians, the Byzantines, the Arabs, the Knights of St John, the French, the British, and many others. All these inhabitants left their mark on the Maltese Islands, leaving countless traditions and cultural sights. Malta gained its national independence in 1964 and in 1979 it achieved the withdrawal of the British troops and the Royal Navy, marking this day as Freedom Day. The island’s most prominent historical attractions include the UNESCO protected Megalithic temples which are said to be some of the oldest free-standing structures on Earth.

A stellar educational system

Malta offers a vast selection of private, international, and public schools and the Island also boasts the oldest University in the Commonwealth outside of Britain. Most of the Maltese population are multilingual, also speaking fluent English and Italian besides their native Maltese language.

Reputable healthcare

Malta has an outstanding healthcare system in which you can find both private and public hospitals on the island. The main hospital is ‘Mater Dei’ General Hospital and it is well-known for its effective, efficient, and quality care with reputable physicians, highly skilled nurses, and a dedicated workforce, together with state of the art technology and excellent facilities.

A mediterranean climate

Malta’s weather and climate are strongly influenced by the Mediterranean Sea, similar to southern Italy or Greece. The climate is very Mediterranean which consists of hot, dry summers and short, cool winters with adequate rainfall. The months of June till August are typically quite dry while the wettest tend to be between October and March.

The annual temperature is that of 18ºC and the monthly averages lie between 12ºC to 31ºC. Winds tend to be strong and frequent and humidity is consistently high normally over 40%.

Other reasons why you should make Malta your future home

Clear blue, Mediterranean beaches that are great to swim in, almost, all year round.
A high standard of living.
Low crime rate.
Tax benefits.
A tax-friendly procedure for moving in and out of Malta.
Favourable double-taxation agreements with key countries.
A highly respected jurisdiction for incorporating low-tax companies.
Political stability.
An excellent banking system with the presence of major international banks.
Reasonable cost of living.
Good residency conditions.

The best way to travel to Malta

By air

Malta is simply two to three hours away from almost any European country. There are regular daily flights operating at the Malta International Airport from many European cities such as London, Rome, Brussels, Berlin, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Madrid, and others. There are also regular flights to other destinations in the Middle East, Far East, and South to Africa.

By sea

Malta offers a direct connection to the closest mainland, Pozzallo in Sicily, via a catamaran operated by Virtu Ferries. The whole ferry trip takes approximately 90 minutes. Other sea transports include other ferries and cruise ship companies for to and fro travel to Malta. There is also an internal ferry that connected the two islands of Malta and Gozo provided by the Gozo Channel Company Ltd. Comino can be reached by privately operated boats from Malta.

General information

Entry to Malta is permissible via a valid passport or an equivalent travel document.
Schengen Member State nationals do not need entry visas and can remain in Malta for three months.
Malta follows the Central European Time (CET).
Sockets are British-style accepting the standard square three-pin plugs.
Tap water is safe to drink in Malta although many prefer the taste of bottled water due to its heaviness.
Malta’s religion is predominantly Roman Catholic and has 359 churches in total.
Normal shop hours are from 09.00hrs till 13.00hrs and then from 16.00hrs to 19.00hrs. However, some shops and supermarkets stay open all day, till late.
Specialised local markets are organised on Sundays in different localities around the islands.
Malta follows the EU rules on pet travel and adopts the PETS Scheme. There are a number of veterinary clinics in Malta including 24-hour emergency service.

Discovering Malta

If you are thinking about moving to Malta, the next step is to look at the property for sale in Malta. You can choose from a wide range of properties, depending on your style and budget, such as farmhouses, villas, houses, apartments, townhouses, and others. Whether you are looking for buying or renting, Century 21 can help you in this journey.

Century 21 can guide you through all the steps of coming to Malta, buying or renting a property, setting up your office space and company, going through the steps and stages of acquiring permits, giving you financial advice, and more.