Table of Contents What to Expect from Workspaces in Malta Co-Working Spaces in Malta: The Best Options at a Glance Business Centers Malta: Professional Office Solutions Prices and Costs: What Workspaces Really Cost Networking in Malta: Building the Right Connections Practical Tips: How to Find the Perfect Workspace Thinking about using Malta as a base for your business? Smart move! After two years on the island, I can tell you this: the range of workspaces has dramatically improved. But sometimes theres a big gap between Instagram-worthy co-working spaces and the reality of Maltese office culture. Let me show you what your real options are—and highlight the pitfalls that never make it into those glossy brochures. What to Expect from Workspaces in Malta (Reality Check) Why Malta is Interesting for International Entrepreneurs Over the last five years, Malta has secretly become the capital for EU nomads. The numbers speak for themselves: According to the Malta Business Bureau, over 3,200 international companies are registered on the island—a 40% increase since 2020. Why? Here you get a package that you wont find this streamlined anywhere else in the EU: English as an official language – no language barriers when dealing with contracts or authorities EU membership – all free-movement rights, visa hassle-free Attractive tax rules – especially for Non-Dom status and EU holding structures Mediterranean quality of life – 300 days of sunshine a year does wonders for your motivation Compact size – all important spots are within a 30-minute reach What does this mean for you? You can work productively here without a huge culture shock and enjoy a life your colleagues back home only know from vacations. The Challenges No One Talks About But wait—before you quit your apartment in a wave of excitement, lets talk reality. Malta isn’t all sunshine and fast Wi-Fi. The Power Outage Blues: Yes, even in 2024, power outages remain a regular thing here. Especially in summer, when entire neighborhoods fire up their air-conditioning. I’ve saved Zoom calls using my phone’s hotspot because the entire office building was plunged into darkness. Internet Lottery: Malta theoretically has good internet. In practice, it depends greatly on the location. In some coworking spaces you struggle for every upload, while others offer gigabit speeds. Office Culture Clash: Maltese business hours are… relaxed. If your local service partner disappears for two hours at lunch or closes at 3 pm on Fridays, that’s totally normal. Summer Survival: From June to September, Malta turns into a sauna. Without proper air conditioning in the office, you’ll be out of action from 2 pm onwards. Pro tip: Always have a Plan B. Portable hotspots, backup locations, and flexible working hours aren’t luxuries in Malta—they’re survival strategies. Co-Working Spaces in Malta: The Best Options at a Glance Sliema and St. Julians – The Hotspots for Digital Nomads These two towns are at the heart of Malta’s digital nomad scene. Here, you’ll find the most coworking spaces, the best infrastructure, and the most vibrant networking. The Spot (Sliema): The alpha coworking space. Open 24/7, solid internet (most of the time), and a community that’s a colorful mix of crypto bros, online marketing gurus, and real entrepreneurs. Day pass: €25, monthly pass: €180. What I love: The rooftop terrace with sea view saves any frustrating workday. Downsides: Gets crowded during high season, and the AC struggles with Maltese summers. Regus St. Julians: More sterile, but highly professional. If you need peace and don’t care about networking, this is your spot. The internet is reliable, so is the power—and the AC does its job. Monthly pass from €220. Hub Malta (Paceville): The ambitious newcomer. Modern facilities, young community, still forging its identity. Day rate: €20, monthly €150. Location Day Pass Monthly Pass Internet Quality Community Factor The Spot Sliema €25 €180 8/10 High Regus St. Julians €30 €220 9/10 Low Hub Malta €20 €150 7/10 Medium Valletta – Historic Charm Meets Modern Tech Malta’s capital offers a different workspace vibe. Less beachy, more cultural capital. Valletta Design Cluster: My secret tip for anyone who needs a creative spark. The building is a renovated 16th-century palazzo—working between centuries-old stone walls is something special. Day pass €22, monthly €170. You’ll meet fewer digital nomads here, but more local creatives and EU institution staff. Networking is higher-level, the conversations deeper. MITA (Malta Information Technology Agency): If you want into the tech sector, this is the gateway. International fintech and gaming companies’ Malta subsidiaries work here. Entry is by referral or event only. Gzira and Ta Xbiex – Hidden Gems for Peace Seekers Off the beaten track you’ll find smaller, family-like coworking spaces with a local flavor. Skyparks Business Centre: Business-focused, quiet, with views over Valletta. Low community drama, highly reliable working conditions. Perfect for serious projects. Monthly pass €195. The Collective (Ta Xbiex): Small but charming. 20 desks, personal atmosphere, stable internet. Owner John knows everyone by name and organizes monthly networking dinners. Day pass €18, monthly €140. Business Centers Malta: Professional Office Solutions for Serious Projects Serviced Offices vs. Virtual Offices – Which is Right for You? If coworking spaces are too chaotic and you need a professional presence, business centers are your next step up. Serviced Offices are fully equipped offices with everything you need: furniture, phone, internet, cleaning, and reception. You lease for 1-3 years and get a prestigious address for your business cards. Virtual Offices provide only the address and mail service. You work elsewhere, but your company is officially based in a respected business center. So, which option is right for you? Serviced Office—if you regularly meet clients, have a team, or simply need quiet for focused work Virtual Office—if you just need the address for authorities and contracts, but want to work flexibly The Top Business Centers Compared SmartCity Malta: The flagship. A fully planned business park with international flair. Microsoft, PwC, and other industry giants have offices here. Prices from €800/month for serviced offices, virtual offices from €150/month. Upside: Prestigious address, flawless infrastructure, networking with big corporates. Downside: Sterile, far from Maltese everyday life, expensive. Business First (various locations): The local market leader with offices in Sliema, St. Julians, and Ta Xbiex. Solid amenities, reliable service, Maltese efficiency (meaning: relaxed but dependable). Serviced office from €650/month. The Plaza Business Centre (Sliema): My personal recommendation for most entrepreneurs. Modern, central, fairly priced. Reception speaks English, German, and Italian fluently—which is a plus for international clients. From €580/month. Business Center Virtual Office Serviced Office (small) Location Rating Service Quality SmartCity Malta €150/month €800/month 9/10 9/10 Business First €120/month €650/month 8/10 7/10 Plaza Business Centre €110/month €580/month 8/10 8/10 Costs and Hidden Fees Careful—the advertised prices are only the start. Here come the hidden extras nobody likes to mention: Setup fee: €200-€500 one-time Deposit: 1-3 months rent Phone and Internet: €50-€100/month extra Meeting rooms: €25-€50/hour Mail forwarding: €30-€60/month Cleaning: Often extra, €80-€150/month Factor in a realistic 20-30% above the base price. Ask upfront for a full breakdown of costs—honest providers have nothing to hide. Prices and Costs: What Workspaces in Malta Really Cost Day Passes and Flexible Options If you’re just arriving or only occasionally need a professional desk, flexible options are your best starting point. Coworking Day Passes: €18–€30 depending on location and season. In summer, prices go up as demand spikes. Tip: Get packs of 5 or 10 for 15–20% discounts. Hotel lobbies with Wi-Fi: The hidden option. Hotels like Hilton or Le Meridien have business lounges you can use for the price of a coffee. Not officially allowed, but tolerated. Café Workspaces: In Sliema and Valletta you’ll find plenty of cafés with solid Wi-Fi. 2–3 hours of work for the price of a cappuccino (€2.50) is totally acceptable. Monthly Memberships Compared If you’re staying longer, monthly plans make sense. Here are the real-world numbers based on my experience (as of Spring 2024): Type Cost/Month Included Extra Costs Basic Coworking €120–€180 Desk, Wi-Fi, Coffee Printing, Meeting rooms Premium Coworking €180–€250 + fixed desk, business address Meeting rooms from €20/h Virtual Office €110–€150 Business address, mail service Office use €25/day Serviced Office (small) €580–€800 Private office, reception, cleaning Phone, Internet optional Business Center Prices and Extra Costs Business centers get expensive fast. Here’s a realistic breakdown for a small serviced office (15–20 m² ≈ 160–215 sq ft): Base rent: €600/month Service charge: €150/month (reception, cleaning, security) Internet/Phone: €80/month Utilities: €120/month (electricity, water, AC) Parking: €100/month (in central locations) Total: €1,050/month instead of the advertised €600. Negotiation tip: All-inclusive packages are often cheaper than itemized bills. Ask for annual contracts with monthly payments—that usually gets you 10–15% off. Networking in Malta: How to Make the Right Connections Events and Meetups in Co-Working Spaces Malta is tiny—which means the business community knows each other. Once you’re in, doors open quickly. But you have to be proactive. The Spot Events: Every Thursday, Entrepreneurship Evening with local founders and international nomads. It’s a mix of pitch sessions, networking, and Maltese wine. Entry €15, buffet included. Malta Digital Innovation Hub: Monthly tech meetups focused on blockchain, fintech, and gaming. Here you’ll meet the decision-makers of Malta’s tech scene. Usually free, but you need to sign up. Chamber of Commerce Events: More formal, but valuable for traditional business contacts. Especially interesting: the quarterly International Business Networking events with diplomats and major companies. The Malta Business Community – Where to Find It The real Malta business community moves in different circles from the coworking nomads. Here are my insider tips: Yacht Clubs: Royal Malta Yacht Club and Marsamxett Harbour are networking goldmines. Membership is pricey (from €2,000/year), but guest events are accessible. Casino Malta: Informal business gatherings every Friday over drinks. Sounds cliché but it works. Malta’s elite meets here after work. Golf Clubs: Royal Malta Golf Club—if you play, this is your turbo-networking tool. Membership from €1,500/year, but guests can pay green fees. Business Lunch Locations: Palazzo Preca (Valletta), The Chophouse (Sliema), Ta Kris (local favorite)—this is where the decision-makers eat. Online Communities and WhatsApp Groups Malta runs on WhatsApp. Seriously. Forget LinkedIn—here, the right groups matter: Malta Entrepreneurs: 800+ members, a mix of locals and expats, best source for business opportunities Digital Nomads Malta: 1,200+ members, but lots of noise. Good for finding apartments and service recommendations Malta Business Network: Smaller (300 members), but high quality. Invitation only Malta Professionals: Focus on finance, legal, consulting. Here you’ll find lawyers, tax advisors, bankers Pro tip: Be active, but not spammy. Help others before asking for favors yourself. Maltese business culture is built on trust and personal relationships. Practical Tips: How to Find the Perfect Workspace Checklist Before Signing Up Before you sign a contract or commit for months, make sure you check the following points: Internet speed test: Bring your laptop and test upload/download at different times of day. 25 Mbps download should be the minimum. AC Check: Does it work at 35°C (≈95°F) outside? Ask about their summer experience. Power backup: Does the building have a generator? How often are there outages? Parking situation: Are there parking spaces? What’s the cost? Any public alternatives nearby? Opening hours: 24/7 access or limited? Weekends included? Meeting rooms: Availability, booking system, extra costs? Community vibe: Does the atmosphere suit you? Too loud, too quiet, too hipster? Internet, Power, and Other Basics That Can Go Wrong Malta reality check: Even in 2024, infrastructure isn’t 100% reliable. Here’s how to prepare: Internet backup: Get an Epic SIM card with unlimited data (€35/month). GoMobile and Vodafone Malta have good coverage. Portable hotspots can save your day. Power buffer: Power banks with 20,000+ mAh are a must. In some buildings, outages happen 2–3 times a month for 30–60 minutes each time. AC alternatives: Small USB fans and cooling packs. It may sound silly, but when the AC fails and it’s 38°C (≈100°F), any bit of cooling is a lifesaver. Transport backup: Install Bolt (Uber alternative) and eCabs apps. Buses are cheap (€2), but unreliable. Taxis cost €8–€15 within main areas. The Best Locations for Different Lifestyles Not every workspace fits every lifestyle. Here are my recommendations based on different profiles: For workation (1–4 weeks): The Spot Sliema – best community, flexible day passes Valletta Design Cluster – cultural, Instagram-friendly experience Café hopping in Sliema – affordable, authentic, flexible For digital nomads (1–6 months): Hub Malta – best value, young community The Collective Ta Xbiex – quieter, more personal, good for networking Regus St. Julian’s – if you value stability over community For entrepreneurs (6+ months): Plaza Business Centre – professional, central, good value SmartCity Malta – prestige address, international contacts Virtual office + flexible coworking – ultimate flexibility For families with kids: Skyparks Business Centre – quiet, good parking, family-friendly Business First Sliema – central, but not too hectic Home office + occasional coworking days What does this mean for you? Try different options with day passes before committing. Malta’s small enough that you can check out all the relevant spaces in a week. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) How reliable is the internet in Maltese coworking spaces? Most established spaces offer 50–100 Mbps download. Upload speeds are usually lower (10–25 Mbps). Always test beforehand, especially if you do lots of video calls. Epic and GoMobile offer good backup options. Can I rent a business center as an EU citizen without problems? Yes, as an EU citizen, you just need valid ID and proof of creditworthiness. Some landlords require a Maltese tax number, which you can get for free from the IRD. How expensive is networking in Malta really? Basic networking via coworking events costs €10–€20 per event. Premium business clubs (yacht club, golf club) are €1,500–€3,000 per year, but grant you access to Malta’s elite. What hidden costs are involved in business centers? Count on 20–30% extra: setup fees (€200–€500), utilities (€100–€150/month), phone/internet (€50–€100/month), parking (€80–€120/month), meeting rooms (€25–€50/hour). Does Malta work as a base for international video conferences? Generally yes, but plan for backup solutions. Power outages occur 2–3 times a month, usually for 30–60 minutes. Good business centers have generators, smaller coworking spaces often don’t. When is the best time for coworking in Malta? October to May is great—pleasant climate, stable power, fewer tourists. June to September is hot and crowded, and coworking prices jump by 20–30%. Do I need a car for business networking in Malta? No, but it helps. All key business spots are reachable by Bolt/eCabs (€8–€15 per ride). Public transport is cheap (€2), but unreliable for important meetings.
