Moving to a different country is one of the biggest decisions you will ever make as it completely changes the path of your life. Whether you have dreamed of moving abroad for some time, or it is a sudden move due to work or family commitments, there are a lot of things that you need to consider.
Malta is a group of islands in the middle of the Mediterranean and can be found between the North African coast and Sicily. It is a nation that is well-known for its historic sites and rich culture, and it attracts visitors from all over the world. It is one of the most popular immigration destinations with over 20% of the 2019 population being made up of non-Maltese nationals.
However, there is no denying that moving your life to another country can be stressful and anxiety-provoking. So, we have put together this checklist of everything you could need when making your move to Malta.
Choose a Location
One of the first questions that you are probably going to ask yourself when making the move is ‘Where in Malta should I move to?’. It is important that you think long and hard about where in Malta you want to live as this will have a huge impact on your experience as a resident.
Even though Malta isn’t a very big island, it has many different locations to offer. So, we suggest that you think about your lifestyle plans once you live in Malta. For example, if you are heading to Malta for your retirement, you may prefer a more remote area, like Gozo.
Find the Right Accommodation
It is crucial that you also find the right place to live when moving to another country as it is important that you feel at home and settled in your new location. The housing market is pretty hot in Malta right now and there is a range of accommodation options available. Renting an apartment has never been easier with luxurious properties available at different prices.
We recommend that you rent a property initially while you set up your new life in Malta, and then you can look into buying a property and hiring an international removal company once you are happy with the area you are in and know that you want to put roots down permanently.
Arrange Your Residence Status
Of course, immigrating to a new country is going to involve many application forms so that you can get permission to live in a new place. The same goes for Malta, and you will need to prove that you can afford to support yourself and any family members you want to bring to the country with you.
There are different types of residence that you can apply for, and if you have the funds, a golden visa is an easier and more streamlined residency process.
Open a Bank Account
To enable you to start your new life, you will need to open a Maltese bank account, and the sooner you do it, the better. However, you will need a Maltese address and an e-residence card in order to get an account in your name. If you are already an account holder of a European bank, such as HSBC, then you may decide to continue using that as they have a huge presence in Malta already. When opening a Maltese bank account, you may be asked to provide a reference from a previous bank, and you may also be asked to prove that you have employment in Malta.
Think About Health Insurance
While you may be coming from a country that offers you free healthcare, that is not always the case in Malta. Those coming from an EU country may be able to access the healthcare they need, but others and those who are self-employed will be required to get private health insurance.
It is important that you deal with any health insurance that you might need well in advance of making the move to Malta, as you don’t want to be left unprotected at any time. While it may be easy to forget about securing a health insurance policy, you may find yourself with a considerable healthcare bill if you become unwell without one.
Find an Expat Community
Malta is one of the friendliest countries that you could ever visit with a welcoming population. If you speak English or Italian, you will likely find it easy to integrate into the community there. So many people decide to relocate to Malta that it has a thriving expat community you can become part of. You can find many of these communities online or at local events in Malta.
While moving to Malta may feel like a lot of stress and upheaval, by following our checklist and ensuring that you are fully prepared, you will be able to settle into the Maltese way of life before you know it.
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