Table of Contents The best neighborhoods for international families Understanding Maltas school system for expat families The best schools for expat children in Malta Practical tips for moving your family to Malta Costs and Budget: What you really need to consider Frequently asked questions from expat families Three years ago, when I moved to Malta with my two kids, I naively thought: How hard can it be? Spoiler alert: Pretty hard. Between navigating the Maltese rental jungle and trying to figure out which school would suit Max (then 8) and Luna (6), I almost turned around and went back. Today, three years later, we live in Gzira, the kids are fluent in English (and speak a bit of Maltese, too), and I finally know what matters. So, I want to share everything I wish I’d known back then: which neighborhoods are truly family-friendly, where to find the best schools, and how to handle the move without losing your sanity. Malta’s family-friendly neighborhoods: The best areas for international families Malta may be small, but the differences between neighborhoods are huge. What’s perfect for a single workation nomad can be a total nightmare for a family. Here are my top picks based on three years of trial and error: Sliema: The expat hotspot for families Sliema is the undisputed champion for international families. Why? First, the infrastructure: Everything is right on your doorstep—from Carrefour to three different pharmacies where everyone speaks English. Second, the international vibe: in our building, we have families from Germany, Italy, Sweden, and Brazil. The kids naturally grow up multilingual. Tigne Point (a modern seaside residential complex) is especially popular with expat families. Here, you’ll pay around €1,800-2,500 per month for a 3-bedroom apartment, but you get a pool, gym, and a concierge who’ll even take your packages while you’re at the bank. Family advantage: Short distance to international schools, safe streets for cycling, plenty of playgrounds. Disadvantage: Expensive and crowded with tourists in the summer. St. Julians: Party district or family haven? St. Julians has two sides. The one you know from the media: Paceville with its clubs and drunken tourists. The other: the quiet residential area above the coastline, home to many Maltese families. I recommend the areas around St. Georges Bay or towards Balluta Bay. Here, you’ll find modern apartments starting at €1,400 (2-bedroom) up to €2,200 (3-bedroom). The big advantage: the promenade is perfect for jogging or cycling with kids, and several beaches are within walking distance. Insider tip: Avoid the Paceville area, especially on weekends. The noise is over the top even with closed windows. Gzira: My personal hidden gem This is where I live with my kids, and I haven’t regretted it for a second. Gzira is perfectly located: 5 minutes walk to Sliema, 10 minutes by bus to Valletta, and you pay significantly less rent. You can get a 3-bedroom apartment starting from €1,200 here if you’re okay with an older building and no pool. New builds with elevator and A/C cost about €1,600-1,900. Manoel Island Park is ideal for families: safe, clean, and with a sea view. Neighborhood 2-bedroom (€/month) 3-bedroom (€/month) Family-friendliness School proximity Sliema 1,400-2,000 1,800-2,500 Very high Excellent St. Julians 1,200-1,800 1,600-2,200 High (away from Paceville) Good Gzira 900-1,400 1,200-1,900 Very high Good Swieqi 1,100-1,600 1,400-2,000 High Very good Msida 800-1,200 1,000-1,500 Medium Excellent Swieqi: Quiet but never boring Swieqi is Malta’s version of a family-friendly suburb. Many local families live here, meaning real community, fewer tourists, and lower prices. The area around Tas-Sliema Road is especially popular with expat families. The only downside: You’ll need a car or you’ll have to rely on Malta’s bus system. Spoiler: that can get frustrating if your 6-year-old is waiting at the bus stop and the driver decides he needs a coffee break. Msida: Affordable yet central Msida is my tip for families on a tighter budget. You’ll get the lowest rents in the region and still be just 15 minutes from Valletta or Sliema. The area has improved a lot in recent years: new restaurants, better infrastructure, more safety. But a word of caution: The area directly by the harbor can get a bit dodgy at night. I’d recommend the residential areas above the main road. Understanding Maltas school system for expat families Malta’s school system is a blend of British tradition and local quirks. As an EU citizen, your kids have the right to free education in public schools, but—and this is a big but—the reality is more complicated. Public vs. private schools: What you should know Public schools in Malta teach mainly in Maltese and English. For Maltese children this is normal, but for your German or Italian kids, it can be a real challenge. Not because of a lack of quality—far from it. But Maltese is a Semitic language, as different from German as Chinese is from Spanish. Private schools are very common in Malta and aren’t just for the upper class. Many Maltese middle-class families send their kids to private schools because the classes are smaller and the facilities are often better. My recommendation: For expat children, private or international schools are usually the better choice—unless you’re planning to stay for good and want your kids to be fully integrated. International schools: The gold standard for expat families International schools in Malta usually follow the British curriculum or the International Baccalaureate (IB). This means your children can transfer easily to other international schools around the world, and their qualifications are recognized everywhere. The catch? The costs. You’ll pay between €8,000 and €15,000 per child per year. Painful, yes—but in London or Zurich, you’d pay double. Registration process: Start early or be left behind Here’s the number one tip I wish I’d had: register your kids as early as possible. The best international schools have waiting lists and some grades are booked out a year in advance. You’ll usually need: Previous school reports (translated into English) Immunization records Copy of passport Proof of address in Malta At some schools: entrance test or interview Insider tip: Many schools offer trial days. Take this chance to see if your child really feels comfortable. The best school on paper is useless if your 8-year-old cries every morning. The best schools for expat children in Malta After three years and countless chats with fellow expat parents, I’ve got a clear idea of which schools really work. Here’s my honest review of the top options: International schools: Premium education with a global standard Verdala International School (Pembroke): The Rolls-Royce of international schools. IB program from kindergarten to graduation, tiny classes (max 18 students), fantastic facilities. My friend Sarah has her two daughters here and raves about the individual attention. Fees: about €12,000-15,000 per year. QSI Malta (Mosta): US curriculum, very international (40+ nationalities), lots of support for children with special needs. Perfect if you’re coming from the US or may return there. Fees: €10,000-13,000 per year. San Andrea School (Pembroke): British curriculum, smaller school with a family feel. Especially good for younger children (up to 14 years). This is where Max’s best friends go, and the parents are happy. Fees: €8,000-11,000 per year. Private schools: Maltese quality with an international touch Private schools in Malta are often the perfect compromise: more affordable than international ones, but more flexible than public schools. St. Edwards College (Birgu): A prestigious boys’ school with an excellent reputation. Very academic, strong sports programs. If you have a son who thrives on structure and discipline, this might be it. Fees: about €5,000-7,000 per year. St. Dorothys School (Żebbuġ): A girls’ school with a very solid reputation, especially in the sciences. My neighbor Maria sends her daughter here and loves the individual support. Costs are similar to St. Edward’s. School Type Age Fees/year (€) Curriculum Waiting list Verdala International International 3-18 12,000-15,000 IB Yes QSI Malta International 3-18 10,000-13,000 American Mostly San Andrea International 3-14 8,000-11,000 British Yes St. Edwards Private 5-18 5,000-7,000 Maltese/British Rare St. Dorothys Private 5-18 5,000-7,000 Maltese/British Rare Public schools: If full integration is your goal Public schools in Malta are free and often surprisingly good. The big advantage: your kids will be fully integrated and speak Maltese fluently after two years—a massive plus you shouldn’t underestimate. St. Aloysius College (Birkirkara): One of the most respected public schools. High academic standards, though lessons are in Maltese and English. If you’re staying long-term and your children are young (under 10), this can work. Important note: Some public schools also offer classes mainly in English. Ask the Ministry of Education about the English Stream—it could be an option. Practical tips for moving to Malta with your family Moving to Malta with kids is like a complex puzzle: every piece has to fit at once. Here are the most important lessons I learned from my own (chaotic) experience: Apartment hunting with family: What to look for Looking for housing in Malta is tougher than finding the last kindergarten spot in Munich. With kids, things get even trickier because your requirements are more specific. My checklist for family-friendly apartments: At least on the first floor (ground floor = noise and security risks) Elevator for higher floors (strollers, groceries, tired kids) Air conditioning in all bedrooms (Maltese summers are brutal) Washing machine in the apartment (laundromats are expensive) Safe windows or balcony railings (safety first) Test the internet speed (homeschooling, Netflix for rainy days) Negotiation tip: Many landlords are flexible with furnishings if you rent long-term. I insisted on a dishwasher—an absolute must with two kids. Bureaucratic errands with kids: Survival guaranteed Maltese bureaucracy with children in tow is like an obstacle course with extra weights. Here are my survival tips: Applying for a residence card: You need this for school and healthcare. Go early (8:00 am) to the Identity Malta office in Gzira. Pack snacks, a tablet with offline games and a lot of patience. Wait times can be 2–3 hours. Health insurance: As an EU citizen, you’re entitled to the public healthcare system. Still, I recommend private insurance—public waiting lists are long, and sick kids can’t wait. Opening a bank account: Bring all paperwork: passport, residence card, lease, proof of income. Some banks (like HSBC) are friendlier to expats than others. Count on 2–3 appointments before everything is sorted. Integrating the kids: Language, friends, activities The most important thing up front: Children adapt incredibly fast. Mine settled in much more quickly than I did. Overcoming the language barrier: Even though Malta is officially bilingual, locals often speak Maltese amongst themselves. Your children will pick up English automatically, but a bit of Maltese helps integration. YouTube channels like Learn Maltese are surprisingly good. Activities and sports: Sports are the universal friend-maker. In Malta, football is king, but swimming, tennis, and rugby are all popular. Most clubs welcome international children with open arms. Cultural adjustment: Maltese families are very warm, but also more traditional than you might expect. Sunday lunch with the extended family is sacred, and kids often stay up late—that’s normal here. Malta costs for expat families: What you really need to plan for Let’s talk honestly about money. Malta is cheaper than London or Zurich but more expensive than Berlin or Barcelona. With children, there are extra costs that add up quickly. Rent by area: The reality, no sugarcoating Rents in Malta have skyrocketed in recent years. What cost €1,200 in 2019 is €1,600 today. With kids, you need at least 3 bedrooms, ideally 4 if they’re not the same gender. Realistic monthly rents (3-bedroom, family-friendly): Sliema/St. Julians: €1,800-2,500 (prime location, short distances) Gzira/Ta Xbiex: €1,400-2,000 (my sweet spot) Swieqi/San Gwann: €1,500-2,200 (quiet but a car is needed) Msida/Birkirkara: €1,200-1,700 (affordable, less central) Mosta/Naxxar: €1,000-1,500 (suburban, car absolutely needed) Extra costs often forgotten: Deposit (2–3 months’ rent), broker fee (1 month’s rent), electricity/water (€150-250 in summer!), internet (€35-50), insurance (€20-30). School fees: The biggest part of the family budget This is where it really gets expensive. For two kids in international schools, you’ll easily pay more than for rent: School type Cost per child/year Extras For 2 children Public €0 Books, uniform: €200 €400 Private (Maltese) €5,000-7,000 Books, activities: €500 €11,000-15,000 International €8,000-15,000 Transport, lunch: €1,000 €18,000-32,000 Money-saving tip: Many international schools offer sibling discounts (10–20%) and early payment discounts (5%). This can save you €2,000-3,000 per year for two children. Cost of living with kids: The Malta reality check Groceries are about 20–30% more expensive in Malta than in Germany. With kids, you’ll really notice it: Groceries (family of 4): €800-1,200/month Childrens clothing: €100-200/month (they outgrow it fast) Leisure activities: €200-400/month Car (if needed): €400-600/month (leasing, insurance, fuel) Private health insurance: €150-300/month for the family My monthly budget example (family with 2 children): Rent (3-bed in Gzira): €1,600 Utilities: €200 International school (2 kids): €2,000 Groceries: €1,000 Transport: €150 Leisure/sports: €300 Other: €250 Total: €5,500/month This isn’t a luxury lifestyle, but it’s comfortable. With public schools, you can get by on €3,500. If you go for luxury apartments and top schools, it can reach €8,000 a month. Frequently asked questions from expat families about Malta How long does it take for kids to settle in Malta? From my experience and that of other expat families: 3–6 months for basic adjustment, 12–18 months for real integration. Younger kids (under 10) adapt faster than teenagers. Is Malta safe for children? Yes, Malta has one of the lowest crime rates in Europe. The biggest risks are traffic (Maltese drivers are… creative) and the strong sun. My kids have been moving around the neighborhood independently since the age of 8. Which languages should children learn in Malta? English is a must, Maltese helps with integration. If you’re from Germany: speak German at home so you don’t lose your native language. Many kids here end up speaking 3–4 languages fluently. When is the best time to move? September is ideal: start of the school year, less heat, fewer tourists. Avoid July/August (too hot and chaotic) and January (rainy and gloomy). Do I need a car with kids in Malta? In Sliema, Gzira, or St. Julians you can get by without. In other areas, it’s tough. The bus system works, but it’s a hassle with a stroller and in bad weather. My compromise: E-bike for short trips, taxi in emergencies. How do I find other expat families? Facebook groups like Expats in Malta or International Families Malta are invaluable. Schools have parent groups too. WhatsApp groups happen naturally—Malta is small, you’ll bump into each other. What about pediatricians and healthcare? The public system is okay, but slow. I recommend private family health insurance (€150-200/month for the whole family). Dr. Maria Camilleri in Sliema specializes in international families and speaks fluent German. Can children continue their German/Italian/Swedish diplomas in Malta? International schools with IB or British curriculum are globally recognized. Maltese schools are trickier—the system is different. Plan the transition carefully, especially with teens close to graduation. How expensive are kids’ activities? Swim club: €40-60/month, football: €30-50/month, music school: €80-120/month. Cinema: €6–8 per ticket. Fun parks like Playmobil FunPark: €15–20 entry. Overall, cheaper than Germany or Switzerland. What if my child feels homesick? Perfectly normal and temporary. Schedule Skype calls with friends back home, care packages from grandma, German/Italian/Swedish TV via VPN. Things get better after 3–4 months. For ongoing problems: there are German-speaking child psychologists in Malta.
