Looking for information on working in Malta?

 

Relocation to Malta / Working in Malta 

 

Here below you can find all you need to know about moving and working in Malta.

 

 

Malta is a small collection of islands situated in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea and consists of the sunny islands of Malta, Gozo, Comino and the uninhabited islands Filfla, Cominotto and St. Pauls Island. The British occupied the Maltese islands for almost 200 years and as a consequence, English is one of the two official languages, besides Maltese with Italian and French widely spoken too. The island of Malta is the main island of the archipelago and is a charming, attractive and relaxed place. It has an intriguing and fascinating past with a rich and varied cultural and architectural heritage. The island is characterised by an exceptional landscape of rugged coastlines and beautiful bays. In the capital Valletta, you can find many wonderful cultural buildings with centuries-old history oozing from the walls. Alternatively, you can opt for one of the small beaches in the bays of Malta or for the beautiful white beaches of the neighbouring island Gozo. 

 

                         

 

Why Malta?

Moving to Malta for work certainly has many advantages, as it is an English speaking country that is quickly developing from a technological perspective, mainly with the arrival of a lrage number of igaming companies. It also has a thriving financial services and banking industry helping to create a thriving job market with a wide variety of opportunities. It has a large number of tourists visiting yearly helping to create a couldron of different people and cultures, all mixed onto the one island. Along with breathtaking scenery, Mediterranean climates (meaning 300 days of sunshine every year) and the numerous industries to work in, living in Malta has an enviable Meditteranean lifestyle that is almost unsurpassed.  

 

Malta overall is one of the best worldwide destinations for working and living abroad, with studies showing that job satisfaction overall is a lot higher than other countries and the residents are much happier with general career prospects, social lives and working lives. Along with the additional bonus of being a tax friendly country (as you will read further down), the beaches and pace of life make for more of the many of reasons to pack up and move there. 

 

Maltas history is something also not to be missed. With a long colourful and interesting story which dates back to the very start of civilisation. Malta joined the EU in May of 2004 opening up many economic opportunities to continues its commercial growth in Europe.

 

Where to work?

As mentioned Malta is a new and upcoming hotspot for all gaming, financial and highly demanded skills which include IT, online marketing, web design and development etc.  Possessing any of these type of online orientated skills will greatly increase your chances of finding a job straight away after your move. There are all types and levels of role from junior and entry levels jobs through to senior management jobs and also middle management types. Many international companies operate throughout Malta which are also similar in management style to those of the UK with a ddition of a legal system that is very similar so employment rights and contracts are very similar.

Searching and applying for jobs in Malta is pretty simple process with many avenues to take. Along with all the big companies there are plenty of other options within local shops, bars and restaurants which make up the main heart of the city centre. With many of Malta’s residence being from abroad, English has become a common language spoken throughout the country, this means that many employers do not require bilingual candidates (opening many more opportunities if you are only fluent in English). 

Where to live?

 

Relocating to Malta can seem like a daunting task, however, there are many different options available for you. Whether you are wanting to rent somewhere small or buy your own home there are many of little towns around, however it all falls down to your own personal preference and working location as to where you may end up living. The big built up cities such as Sliema, St. Julians and Valletta have all the amenities on your doorstep that you could possibly need, with the hustle and bustle that comes along with city living. If you would prefer a quieter neighbourhood then some of the smaller villages along the outskirts on the main action then you will still find local shops and a small number of quiet bars and restaurants to enjoy the evening sunshine after a busy day. 

 

Many of the larger companies also offer help when it comes to relocating, by offering different relocation packages and some covering the cost of your one way flight. 

 

Salaries and working in Malta

An average working week in Malta is 40 hours, with 48 hours being the legal maximum where additional eight hours must be paid by overtime compensation. Similar office working hours follow as in the UK with many public sector offices following 'summer hours' during the summer. However these summer hours generally don't apply to the international companies. Legally you will be entitled to around 25 days of annual leave in most companies, plus the extra bonus of public holidays. With Malta having 14 public holidays throughout the year then you may find yourself benefitting from the extra time off to soak up the Maltese sunshine. 

 

In comparison to many other European countries, Malta salaries are lower but this is generally offset by lower tax and a much lower cost of living so although your gross figure looks lower the amount you have left over after for basic essentials tends to be higher. Salaries can vary drastically for more specialised jobs and the obvious manager positions. There is a huge variety of both maltese locals and foreigners living within Malta but both still earning similar salaries. Malta still remains as an affordable place to live in but still, if you are looking for that dream job abroad then you shouldn't just be in it for the money. Malta may be the perfect location for you for that positive change in lifestyle.

 

An employed individual is liable to a social security contribution of 10%, but up to a maximum of E42.57, of his/her basic weekly wage 

 

Maltese Laws state that work permits are required for all non EU workers and these can be gained through application forms, along with a copy of the individuals passport. Permits are generally issued within a few days of application and stay valid for a one year period.  If you are an EU citizen then you are automatically granted a working permit. 

 

                 

 

Income tax system in Malta 

If you are a resident of Malta then you are subject to following set revenue tax bands. These rates change and are subject to review following the government budget. The tax system is greatly beneficial for investors looking for a safe and stable business environment and any entrepreneurs or wealth individuals looking to move. Maltese residents pay personal income taxes on their income (rates from 0% to 35%). Looking like nothing great at a glance, if you investigate further you will discover how there is a special something that Malta holds, especially if you are a foreigner. Simply put, foreigners can claim a beneficial tax treatment just by becoming a resident of Malta. Once you qualify for any of the special residence schemes foreigners are then eligible to only two different table types of income: 

 

First off, the main type of income tax is sourced from Maltese capital gains. for any individual of Malta you face personal income tax when working as an employee.

 

The table below applies to single residents of Malta

Taxable income (E)	Rate (%)	Deduct (E)
0 to 8,500	0	0
8,501 to14,500	15	1,275
14,501 to19,500	25	2,725
19,501 to 60,000	29	3,505
60,001  and over	35	7,105

 

The table below applies to single NON residents of Malta

Taxable income (E)	Rate (%)	Deduct (E)
0 to 700	0	0
701 to 3,100	20	140
3,101 to 7,800	25	450
7,801 and over	30	850

 

 

How do I get to Malta? 

Malta is situated just under 3 hours away from the UK which makes for quick and easy flights back and forth and many other connections to european countries being just a couple of hours flights. Being in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, Malta is surrounded by the Italian island of Sicily and Gibraltar to name a few. Air Malta is the national airline for the country and has frequent flights to all major European, North African and the Middle Eastern airports. 

 

 Click to search for a list of jobs in Malta