One Year in Malta: An Honest Experience Report by an International Entrepreneur – Real Experience Report

Exactly 365 days ago, I landed in Malta with two suitcases, a laptop, and completely unrealistic notions of EU freedom of movement. What began as a six-month test turned into a year full of surprises—some brilliant, some less so. Today I sit in my office in Sliema, looking out at the sea, and I can promise you this: This report will be more brutally honest than any tourist guide you’ve read so far.

I’ll tell you about late-night WhatsApp battles over apartments, about official appointments that feel like escape rooms, and about business meetings by the pool—because that’s just normal here. You’ll find out why my electricity bill is higher than my old rent in Berlin, why I stay anyway, and whether Malta is really worth it as a business location.

If you’re thinking about discovering Malta as more than just a tourist, this report is your reality check. No sales pitches, no polished numbers—just the unvarnished truth about twelve months on an island that’s barely as big as Munich.

Why Malta? My Motivation and First Steps

Okay, be honest: You’re probably thinking here’s another digital nomad looking for warm weather. Partly true, but my decision for Malta as a business base had more concrete reasons than just Instagram-worthy sunsets.

The Malta Calculation: Why the Island is Interesting for EU Entrepreneurs

As an EU member, Malta offers a tax setup that is both legal and attractive—if you do it right. The official Maltese corporate tax rate is 35%, but with the refund system, it’s effectively reduced to 5% for certain business activities. That’s not illegal, it’s intentional—Malta deliberately positions itself as a business hub.

What convinced me:

• EU establishment freedom: As a German national, I can set up a company without visa drama
• English as an official language: Contracts, authorities, business communication—all in English
• Mediterranean location: 3 flight hours to Germany, but 300 sunny days a year
• Manageable size: Networking works differently when the whole business community lives on an island
• Digital infrastructure: The gaming industry and fintech have advanced Malta—the WiFi is better than in most large German cities

The Reality Check Before the Leap

Before I gave up my Berlin apartment, I flew to Malta three times, each for a week. Not as a tourist, but as a researcher. I wanted to know: What does February feel like? Does the internet work outside of hotels? Where can I buy groceries that don’t cost three times as much?

These trial weeks showed me that Malta in winter is anything but the Mallorca cliché. It rains, it gets cold (relatively speaking), and many restaurants are closed. But that’s exactly what I wanted to know—the unvarnished truth.

What does that mean for you? If you’re thinking about moving to Malta, come at least twice outside of peak season. Instagram only shows you the highlights, but you need to be able to survive the Maltese November as well.

The Preparation: Which Documents You Really Need

Let’s get practical. For my start in Malta, I prepared these documents—and needed every single one:

1. Apostilled documents: Birth certificate, criminal record, university diploma (all with apostille)
2. Bank confirmations: At least three months of bank statements, ideally with English translation
3. Business references: Customer letters, order confirmations, anything that proves your business activity
4. Health insurance proof: EHIC card is enough at first, but for registration you’ll need more
5. Translations: Everything in German must be translated into English—by a sworn translator

The apostille (international certification) was completely new to me. In Germany, you get it from the relevant authority in your federal state—it takes about two weeks and costs between 10–25 euros per document. Without an apostille, Malta will not accept your German documents.

The First Weeks: Arrival and Reality Check Living in Malta

My first Maltese morning: I get up at 6 am, still confused by jet lag, look out the Airbnb window and think Okay, so this is my new life. Spoiler: It was more complicated than expected.

Landing in Malta: First Impressions Without Holiday Glasses

Malta airport is manageable—you’re out in 15 minutes, even with luggage. What surprised me immediately: how small everything is. The ride to my temporary place in Sliema took 20 minutes, and I already thought I was going to the other end of the world. Turns out I hadn’t even made it halfway across the island.

The first challenge: public transport without a car. Malta has buses, but the timetables are… well, guidelines. My first bus was 25 minutes late, and when I asked the driver, he just shrugged his shoulders. Welcome to Malta, I thought.

What I noticed:

• Everything is in English: Street signs, authorities, shops—it makes things much easier
• The infrastructure is… unique: Streets that look like lunar landscapes, but WiFi that works better than in Germany
• Prices are shocking: A coffee costs €2.50, a shopping trip at the supermarket is twice as much as in Germany
• Everybody knows everybody: After a week the barista greeted me by name

The Airbnb Roulette: First Apartment Hunt in Malta

My plan was simple: Six weeks Airbnb, then find something permanent. Reality check: Good Airbnbs are affordable in the off-season, but as soon as March comes, prices explode. My €80/night apartment went up to €180/night—for exactly the same place.

The first two places were flops. Apartment #1: No hot water after 7 pm, because the boiler was too small. Apartment #2: Air conditioning sounded like a starting jumbo jet. At apartment #3 I finally got lucky: central in Sliema, functional, landlord who responded.

What does that mean for you? Plan for at least three different places for the first six weeks. And never book more than 14 days in advance—you want to stay flexible if reality doesn’t match the ads.

First Business Contacts: Networking Starts Immediately

Malta is different from Berlin or London. Here, you don’t run into other entrepreneurs by chance in the coworking space—you go to a bar and sit next to the CEO of a gaming company. The business community is so small that networking just happens by itself.

My first business encounter: At Caviar & Bull in Valletta I met Marcus, who’s been running a fintech company in Malta for five years. Two Cisk beers later, I had his number, a contact for his lawyer, and an invite to a business meetup next Thursday.

These meetups are worth their weight in gold. Not because of the presentations, but for the conversations afterwards. Here you find out which lawyer works fast, which bank opens business accounts without drama, and which neighborhoods you should avoid living in.

Internet and Work Infrastructure: The First Work Test

As someone who earns money online, the internet was my first priority. The good news: Malta has surprisingly good WiFi. Not just in tourist spots, but also in normal cafés and restaurants. My speed tests showed a constant 50–100 Mbit/s download—more than I had in my old Berlin apartment.

The bad news: Power outages are normal. Not daily, but about once a week for 30–60 minutes. My first video call with a German client was cut off in the middle because the whole neighborhood went dark. Since then, I always keep a power bank charged and a hotspot as backup.

Bureaucracy Marathon: Registrations and Official Appointments in Malta

Now it gets serious. The honeymoon phase is over, the paper war begins. Anyone who thinks German bureaucracy is complicated hasn’t seen the Maltese version yet. Here, British procedural thinking mixes with southern European spontaneity—a pretty explosive mix.

Identity Malta: The First Real “Boss Fight” with the Authorities

Identity Malta is your first stop for everything. Residence Certificate, work permit, ID card—without this agency nothing gets done. Opening hours are a generous 8:30–11:30 am for walk-ins. Yes, really: 3 hours a day when you can just show up.

My first try: Monday, 8:15 am, already 40 people in line. Security announces at 8:45: Today only 30 numbers will be given out. I’m number 43. Game over.

Second try: Book an appointment online. The website is so user-unfriendly that I seriously considered hiring a UI designer and suing Malta. After four attempts I got an appointment—six weeks later.

The hack: Go at 7:30 am on Wednesdays and bring a folding chair. No joke. The Maltese who know the system do exactly that.

Malta Residence Certificate: Your Most Important Document

The residence certificate confirms that you live in Malta—and without this paper you can’t get anything. No bank account, no internet contract, no business. Applying is theoretically simple:

1. Lease or proof of ownership: Must be at least six months
2. Passport and passport photos: 3 pieces, Maltese format (not EU standard)
3. Utility bill: Electricity, water, or gas bill in your name
4. Health insurance: Proof of EU-wide health insurance
5. Criminal record: German criminal record, apostilled

In practice it gets complicated, because you need a utility bill to get a contract, but a contract requires a residence certificate. Classic catch-22. Solution: A friend or your landlord pays the first bills, and then you transfer the contracts into your name.

Cost: €27.50 for the certificate, but count on at least €200 for all translations and certifications.

Bank Drama: Opening a Business Account as an EU Foreign National

Ah, the banks. Theoretically, as an EU citizen, they have to agree to a business account. In practice, most don’t want to, because foreign customers mean more compliance. My bank odyssey in Malta:

Bank of Valletta (BOV): Sorry, we dont open accounts for foreign companies. My reply: But I’m an EU citizen? Their answer: Yes, but no.

HSBC Malta: Wanted €5,000 deposit and a business plan in English. After three appointments and four weeks: rejected, no explanation.

APS Bank: Specializes in local businesses, also gaming and fintech. Here I succeeded, but only because Marcus (my fintech contact from the first evening) gave me a personal referral.

What does that mean for you? Without a network it’s tough. Go to every business event, collect contacts, and specifically ask for bank recommendations. Most expats who succeeded did so through personal introductions.

Tax Registration: Understanding Malta as a Business Location

Malta works differently tax-wise than Germany. The country wants to attract foreign businesses, but the rules are complex. Without a local tax advisor or lawyer, you’ll fail—I say this as someone who tried alone first.

The most important tax aspects for EU entrepreneurs:

• Corporate tax: 35% officially, but with refunds depending on business type
• Personal tax: Progressive, from €60,000 income 35%
• Non-dom status: Interesting for foreigners—only Malta income is taxed
• Minimum tax: €5,000 per year, even with no profit

My setup: Maltese Ltd for EU business, non-dom status for me personally, German tax advisor for deregistration in Germany. Around €8,000 per year in consulting, but saves much more.

Important note: Get professional advice before signing anything. Maltese tax laws change regularly, and one mistake can get expensive.

Finding an Apartment in Malta: Rental Market Reality Without Instagram Filters

After six weeks of Airbnb hopping it was clear: I needed something permanent. The Maltese rental market is… an experience. Imagine German rental shortages meet Italian flexibility and British prices. The result is frustrating and expensive.

The Maltese Rental Market: Numbers That Hurt

Let’s start with the hard truth: Malta is expensive now. Very expensive. What used to be an insider tip for cheap Southern European living is now one of the most expensive markets in the EU. Here are actual rents I saw in 2024:

These prices are without utilities. Electricity, water, internet all extra—and electricity is crazy expensive in Malta due to the island location.

Apartment Hunting in Malta: Platforms and Their Pitfalls

Forget German platforms like Immoscout. In Malta, things are different:

Facebook groups: Apartments for Rent Malta, Malta Rooms & Apartments—this is where 80% of the business happens. But beware: lots of fake ads and scammers.

Property.com.mt: The serious option, but more expensive and often outdated. Estate agents take 1–2 months’ rent as commission.

WhatsApp groups: The insider method. Once you know a few people, youll be invited to groups where apartments are often rented out before they appear online.

My most successful search came from an expat community tip: Go to Gzira, ask around in cafés, many landlords are old Maltese who don’t use the internet.

Viewing Marathon: Speed Dating with Apartments

Maltese apartment viewings are… special. My first was set for 2 pm, I arrived on time, landlord came at 3:30. His excuse: I had to finish my coffee. Welcome to Malta.

What I learned at viewings:

• Test water pressure: Turn on the shower and check. Many old buildings have terrible pressure
• Check air conditioning: Not just there, but working and quiet
• Test internet speed: Speed test onsite; don’t trust promises
• Look for mold: Especially in baths and corners—Malta is humid
• Meet the neighbors: Knock on other doors, ask about noise and problems

My dream apartment in Sliema: 95 sqm, sea view, perfect location. Price: €2,200 plus utilities. I took it anyway—and regretted it three months later.

Signing the Contract: Where German Thoroughness Meets Maltese Flexibility

Germans have a hard time with Maltese rental contracts. There are essentially no tenant protection laws like in Germany. The landlord can pretty much decide anything, and you have few rights.

Typical Maltese rental contract:

• Deposit: 2–3 months’ rent, cash up front
• Advance payment: First and last month rent immediately
• Notice period: 1 month for tenant, 2 months for landlord
• Extras: Usually separate, often estimated not measured
• Repairs: Landlord decides when and how

My tip: Put everything in writing. The AC will be fixed soon in Malta means never. I lived two months with no AC because soon is a relative term here.

Utilities Reality: The Hidden Costs of Housing in Malta

Here comes the shock. Rent is just the beginning. My actual monthly housing costs:

The electricity bill is the killer. In August I paid €320—just for running the AC. Many landlords hide this or estimate ridiculously at €50/month.

What does that mean for you? Always budget €300–400 extra per month. And make sure you see the last few actual electricity bills before signing a contract.