Relocating to Malta is one of the smoother moves in Europe — English-speaking, EU-member, and full of international employers — but it still pays to plan. This guide walks through the practical steps of moving to Malta in 2026: work and eligibility, finding a job, sorting your paperwork, budgeting, and settling in.
Step 1: Check your right to work and live in Malta
Everything starts with your nationality:
- EU/EEA/Swiss citizens have free movement. You can move, job-hunt, and start working; you register your employment with Jobsplus and, for stays over three months, apply for an eResidence document.
- Non-EU (third-country) nationals generally need a Single Permit (combined work + residence) sponsored by a Maltese employer — so you usually need a job offer first. Check your route with the work-permit checker and read the work permit guide for expats. If you work remotely for overseas employers instead, look at the Nomad Residence Permit.
Sort this first — it shapes your whole timeline.
Step 2: Line up a job
Malta's job market is concentrated in a few strong sectors, so target where demand is highest:
- iGaming — one of the island's flagship industries.
- Technology — software, fintech, and IT.
- Finance and accounting — banking, audit, compliance.
- Healthcare — nurses, carers, allied health.
- Hospitality and tourism — the most accessible, with year-round and seasonal roles.
Tailor your CV to the Maltese market (how to do that), and browse all live jobs in Malta to see what is open. Set up alerts so new roles reach you first.
Step 3: Understand the cost of living
Budget realistically before you commit. Rent is the biggest variable and swings hard by location — central hotspots like Sliema and St Julian's carry a premium, while the north and Gozo are cheaper. A single professional typically needs €2,000–€3,000 a month centrally, or €1,300–€2,000 further out. Our full cost of living in Malta by locality guide breaks it down, and the salary calculator turns any gross offer into take-home pay — negotiate on net, not gross.
Step 4: Find somewhere to live
A practical approach:
- 1.Book short-term accommodation for your first few weeks before signing a long lease.
- 2.Learn the areas — decide between central and walkable (pricier) or quieter and cheaper further out.
- 3.Sign a longer lease once you know your commute and budget. House-sharing is the norm for new arrivals and cuts rent substantially.
Step 5: Sort the essential admin
Once you arrive, work through the basics:
- Employment registration with Jobsplus (your employer handles the engagement form).
- Residence registration — eResidence for EU citizens; the Single Permit process for non-EU.
- A National Insurance (NI) number so tax and contributions are handled correctly.
- A local bank account and a mobile plan.
- Health cover — Malta has a public health system; make sure you are covered from day one (private insurance is commonly required for non-EU applicants).
Step 6: Settle in
Malta is compact and international, so settling in is quicker than most relocations. English is everywhere, the expat community is large, and the island is small enough that you are never far from the sea. Use public buses and ferries — many residents in the central corridor skip car ownership entirely.
A realistic timeline
- EU citizens: you can arrive, job-hunt, and start working quickly; residence registration is an administrative formality.
- Non-EU citizens: budget longer — you need a job offer, then the Single Permit process, which can take up to around four months. Start early and get documents (police conduct certificate, qualifications, health insurance) ready in advance.
The bottom line
Moving to Malta is very achievable, especially for EU citizens who can start working with minimal friction. Non-EU movers need a sponsoring employer and a Single Permit, so the timeline is longer but well-trodden. Get clear on your eligibility, target the right sector, budget honestly for rent, and line up temporary accommodation before you arrive. Start by checking your work eligibility and browsing jobs in Malta.
*Last updated: July 2026. Immigration, tax, and cost figures change — verify specifics with official Maltese sources before relying on them.*