Leisure for international entrepreneurs in Malta: sports, sailing and social clubs

After two years in Malta, I can promise you one thing: the business world here doesn’t work like in Germany or Switzerland. The most important deals here don’t get closed in boardrooms but during a sailing trip around Gozo or over a gin and tonic at the yacht club. As an international entrepreneur, I’ve learned that leisure time in Malta is not a nice-to-have – it’s your direct ticket into the business network.

Malta is tiny but the expat community is huge. Every day, new entrepreneurs, digital nomads and high-net-worth individuals arrive at the airport. The problem? Many stick to their bubble and miss the chance to really connect. I’ll show you how you can boost your business and improve your work-life balance in Malta through sports, sailing and social clubs.

Why Malta is perfect for the business lifestyle

Malta holds a key advantage over other tax havens: the island is big enough for variety, yet small enough that everyone knows each other. In Monaco, you meet the same millionaires at tennis and while shopping. Here, you’ll meet the FinTech founder from Berlin while sailing, the tech investor from London on the golf course, and the crypto entrepreneur from Amsterdam at a networking event in the yacht club.

Size matters

Malta covers just 316 square kilometers – that’s less than half of Hamburg. Sounds tiny, but it’s perfect for networking. There are over 85,000 companies registered here, about 12,000 of which are international. That means: a high density of entrepreneurs in a small space.

What does that mean for you? You’ll be seeing the same faces again and again. The guy from the tennis court might become your next business partner, and the woman from your sailing course might turn into your next client. These overlaps happen naturally – if you join in.

English as the business language

Forget about Maltese – everything in the business community runs on English. This makes Malta a perfect networking hub for international entrepreneurs. No language barriers, no translation errors in important conversations. I’ve even closed deals while stand-up paddling because it was so easy to understand each other.

Sports opportunities for entrepreneurs in Malta

Sports in Malta aren’t just about fitness – they’re business. I’ve made more business contacts while playing padel than at all the networking events combined. The sports scene here is manageable, high-quality and perfect for strategic networking.

Golf clubs and business networking

Malta only has two real golf courses, but they really deliver. The Royal Malta Golf Club in Marsa is the oldest golf club outside the British Isles (founded in 1888) and is now the hotspot for business golf. Here, you’ll find EU parliamentarians, management consultants and CEOs from the big gaming companies.

Membership costs about €2,500 per year – sounds like a lot, but it’s cheaper than most German golf clubs. For that, you get access to a network that’s second to none. Every Thursday, there’s the “Business Golf Event,” a fixture where entrepreneurs play and network together.

The Tat-Torrijiet Golf & Country Club in the south is more modern and popular with gaming and FinTech entrepreneurs. Membership here is about €1,800 per year. The advantage: smaller groups, more in-depth conversation.

Tennis and fitness studios

Tennis is run through the Marsa Sports Club – a relic from British times, but home to the island’s best network. For €850 a year, you get access to tennis, squash and cricket courts, plus one of Malta’s most active business networks.

The real networking goldmines, though, are boutique fitness studios. At CrossFit Malta in Gzira, you’ll find a surprising number of tech entrepreneurs working out. The secret? Groups are small (max. 12 people), you always see the same faces, and post-workout, people often grab a protein shake together.

• CrossFit Malta: €120/month, strong tech community
• Energie Fitness: €60/month, multiple locations, more mainstream
• Holmes Place: €80/month, upmarket clientele, perfect for first connections

Water sports as a lifestyle element

Malta is an island – water sports are simply a way of life here. But heads up: Not every water sport is good for networking. Diving is too individual, jetskiing is too loud for a chat. Stand-up paddling and kayaking are perfect alternatives.

At SUP Malta in Sliema, you’ll often bump into fellow entrepreneurs. Groups are small, the pace is relaxed, and at break time in the blue lagoon, conversations happen naturally. €25 per session, once a week – and you’ll see a new side of Malta, as well as the people paddling beside you.

Sailing in Malta: Yacht clubs and business networking

Now it gets interesting. Sailing in Malta isn’t just a sport – it’s the royal road into the high-end business network. The yacht clubs are the island’s modern gentlemen’s clubs, and if you get in, doors will open you never even noticed before.

The most important yacht clubs

The Royal Malta Yacht Club in Marsamxett is the address for serious business contacts. Founded in 1873, membership by invitation only, with a two-year waiting list. EU politicians, investment bankers and the owners of the big gaming companies all hang out here. The initiation fee is €5,000, annual membership €1,200.

Sounds intimidating? It is – but that’s what makes the club so valuable. If you’re a member, you’ve already reached a certain level. Networking events here are exclusive and the conversations are a cut above anything else on the island.

Much more accessible is the Malta Maritime Foundation Yacht Club in Ta’ Xbiex. Newcomers are welcome, membership costs €800 per year plus a €1,500 registration fee. The club is very popular among FinTech and crypto entrepreneurs – probably because the average age is lower than at the Royal Malta.

Sailing courses and charter options

Can’t sail? Perfect – now’s the time to learn. Sailing courses are the ultimate icebreaker for business networking. At Malta Sailing Academy, entrepreneurs regularly get their sailing licences. The RYA Day Skipper course costs €1,200 over two weeks, and you’ll be surprised who you meet in your group.

I did my Day Skipper with a blockchain developer from Estonia and a property investor from Germany. We learned how to set an anchor together and ended up launching a business partnership at the same time.

There are two strategies for charters: either you charter a small yacht (35-40 feet) for €800-1,200 per week and invite strategically important contacts, or you join group charters. Captain Morgan Cruises and Hera Cruises often run “Business Sailing Days” for €150-200 per person.

Networking events on the water

The secret to Malta’s networking scene is floating events. On the first Friday of every month, the Malta Business Network (MBN) hosts “Sunset Sailing” – €80 per person, three hours sailing around the island while networking with 25-30 international entrepreneurs.

The unique thing: you can’t just leave a boat if the conversation’s boring. You need to get along, and that’s exactly why you make deeper, more authentic connections than you ever would at a standard hotel ballroom networking event.

Social clubs and business networks

Now for the real insider tips. The social clubs in Malta are your key to true networking that goes beyond swapping business cards. This is where genuine business relationships, mentorships and sometimes even friendships are built.

Exclusive business clubs

The Malta Business Club in Valletta is so exclusive it doesn’t even have a website. Membership is by personal recommendation only, €3,000 joining fee, €150 per month. Sounds posh? It is – but this is where the island’s decision-makers meet.

The Mediterranean Business Network is more accessible. Here, you pay €200 per year and get access to monthly events, a WhatsApp network with 800+ members and regular seminars on business topics. The average age is 35-45, the standard is high but not intimidating.

My tip: The Malta Tech Community Hub. Officially not a club but a coworking space in Sliema, but it’s home to one of Malta’s most active networks. €180 a month for a desk, plus regular events, workshops and the chance to meet other tech entrepreneurs daily.

International community events

Malta hosts a huge international community, and they organize themselves. The Germans in Malta Facebook group has more than 5,000 members and runs monthly networking events. Similar groups exist for Italians, French, Scandinavians and Brits.

The best part: these events are usually free or cost no more than €20-30 for drinks and snacks. You’ll meet entrepreneurs who share your cultural background – which makes starting conversations easier.

• Germans in Malta: Monthly events, €25, strong fintech community
• French Business Malta: More elegant events, €40, higher standard
• Scandinavian Business Club: Focus on gaming and tech, €30
• British Business Club: Traditional, established, €35

Rotary, Lions and other service clubs

Service clubs are surprisingly strong in Malta and ideal for sustainable networking. The Rotary Club Malta has three chapters on the island, each with a different focus. The Valletta chapter is the most traditional (banking, law, government), the Sliema chapter the most international (gaming, tech, FinTech).

Membership costs about €1,200 per year plus regular donations to charity projects. In return, you gain access to a global entrepreneur network and the chance to contribute to meaningful causes.

My experience: The charity angle makes conversations more authentic. If you’re fundraising for local families together, the bond is very different than at just another business event.

Costs and practical tips

Let’s be honest: good networking in Malta comes at a cost. But it’s an investment that pays off – if you do it right. Here’s how to get the most out of your budget and what mistakes to avoid.

Budget overview for lifestyle activities

Plan on spending €500-800 per month on a solid Malta networking setup. Sounds steep, but it’s less than most entrepreneurs in Germany spend on business lunches and networking events.

This is tax deductible as networking expenses. In Germany, you’d pay much more for similar activities and networks.

How to find the right club

Not every club is the right fit for everyone. I made the mistake at first of applying everywhere. That was a waste of money and time. A strategic approach is better:

1. Define your goal: Are you looking for clients, partners, investors or mentors?
2. Research the members: Ask existing contacts for their experiences
3. Visit events as a guest: Most clubs offer trial nights
4. Check the time commitment: Some clubs expect regular attendance
5. Test the chemistry: Do you feel comfortable with the people?

One trick: Start out with a mid-range club like the Mediterranean Business Network. If you’re active there, you’ll naturally get referrals to more exclusive clubs as you meet the right people.

Networking strategies for newcomers

If you’re new to the island, you’ll probably make the same mistakes I did at the start. Here are the key lessons from two years of Malta networking:

Don’t:

• Propose business after the first meeting
• Stick only with other Germans/your own nationality
• Only talk about business at events
• Join several similar clubs at once

Do:

• Build trust first, talk business later
• Be genuinely interested in Malta and its people
• Help others with their projects before asking for help
• Show up regularly at events – consistency is everything

The Malta community is small. If you make a bad first impression, word gets around. If you make a good one, it does too.

Seasonal highlights and events

Malta has two completely different faces: summer and winter. As an international entrepreneur, you need to understand both if you want to network successfully year-round.

Summer season: high-energy networking

From May to September, Malta is packed with tourists – and seasonal business residents. Many entrepreneurs come for a few months to escape the German/Scandinavian/British winter.

The yacht clubs are most active in peak season. Almost every evening there are events, regattas and business dinners. The Malta Mediterranean Regatta in June is a must-attend event – three days of sailing, networking and parties with the international business elite.

Water sports events are in full swing. September brings big business and industry events, often combining sports activities like beach volleyball tournaments and sunset cruises. Most of the island’s gaming industry is involved.

Winter season: quality over quantity

From October to April, Malta is quieter but often richer for networking. Events are smaller, conversations deeper. Many of the superficial contacts are gone, leaving the committed residents behind.

The business clubs hold their most important events in winter. There are exclusive networking dinners with the island’s top entrepreneurs.

Golf is ideal in winter – no 35°C heat, no crowded courses. The clubs organize special winter tournaments with lower participant numbers and longer networking breaks.

Year-round events you can’t miss

• Malta Tech Week (September): The island’s most important tech event
• AIBC Summit (November): AI and blockchain conference with 5,000+ participants
• Malta Gaming Authority Networking (monthly): For everyone in gaming
• EU Business Network Malta (monthly): Focus on EU business
• Startup Malta Events (every two months): For founders and early-stage entrepreneurs