Moving to Malta, Hurrah!

Bongu,

We've decided to move to Malta...Yesterday! Long time decision process but alas we're doin it.

Our "nutshell":

Husband employed, great USA job and may work remotely.

Wife retired. Delightful!

In our early 60"s, healthy, active, social and have both lived abroad before with great results.

Due diligence ongoing (housing, visas, areas to live) but would so very much appreciate any honest guidance and assistance along the way.

Such as:


If obtaining a "Digital Nomad visa" proves the best course of action at the start BUT it can take up to 5 months as stated, can we move there in the meantime? Target date August-September 2024).

May we arrive with US passports rent and work while the Nomad Visa is processing?


Which Visa is best for our needs. We DO NOT plan to move back to the US, however with travel back and visit perhaps annually.


Suggestions for housing rental agent/companies, individual person?  Daunting task for certain.


Recommendations on best towns to live in. We have been told the following places are great for expat living.  Gozo, Marsa, Victoria ,Valletta, Rabat, ,Zebbug, Mosta, Qormi, Mdina to name a few.

Ideally the area would include, a high walkability score, great local food, scenery, OLD World feel,

and welcoming residents.


Would LOVE to bring our 2 cats, seemingly impossible and unwise but not ready to give up on the idea either.


Buying a vehicle.


Whew! What a tall order. Can it be DONE?


From the bottom of our hearts we appreciate not only your time in reading this laundry list but, your kindness and counsel.


May our paths cross one day that we may thank you in person.


Sincerely,

Corky & Dan

Wisconsin, USA

@CorkyPlecki  hi  i am sitting on my living room in Seattle watching my movers pack my household items to ship to my daughter in California  i depart for my retirement in Malta in early May and will only ship 9 boxes     .no furniture needed as apts usually come furnished.  i started my research two yrs ago thru [link moderated]  a few articles there led me to PWC Malta who is doing my visa application, Malta taxes, etc on the Malta Retirement Plan (tax and immigration)  i know little about the digital nomad visa tho lots of eligibilty changes jist occurred on April 1.


you can find answers to your ques thru intl living and various fb groups like this one.    but you are asking the right ones!  I hope all goes smoothly! Lisa KK

Moderated by Bhavna 3 weeks ago
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Dear Lisa,

i'm so excited for you wouldn't that be cool if we met up one day, May I ask where you have found to live and in what area? Yes we are taking a few boxes and having a very big sale on our furnishings. I have just started cleaning and and tagging, all the items from our five bedroom house. Yikes it's a lot, but we are psyched and I can't thank you enough for responding so quickly and giving me some great information. I hope others follow suit as I would be happily to help anyone of them as well.

Cheers lisa,  safe travels.

Best,

Corky

@CorkyPlecki


Please search the forum there are lots of your questions already answered. It's not impossible to bring your cats to Malta you just need to follow the EU rules to importing animals.


You also might have issues in trying to find a place to rent or buy for that matter looking online, as you will see from other posts here a lot of the adverts on real estate adverts are out of date.


Rules have changed regarding Digital Nomad from 1st April. Please read this link from the Maltese Government: https://nomad.residencymalta.gov.mt


If you have any other questions please come back to us.


Hope this is of help.


SimCityAt

Expat Team

@CorkyPlecki


Its advisable to visit Malta before deciding to move here.


    @CorkyPlecki

Its advisable to visit Malta before deciding to move here.
   

    -@GozoMo


Quite agree, it's nice for holidays but it's not for everyone especially when you are coming from a large country like the USA. I only managed to live in Jersey C.I. for 2 years moving from the UK.


Have a holiday in Malta or Gozo first.

@SimCityAT

How kind of you to respond, notes taken.

@SimCityAT

Well played, many thanks.

I would not advise trying to abuse the Nomad visa as a path to perm residence, that's not what its for and it might complicate matters.


Speak to an immigration specialist, there are dedicated retirement visa options.

We are to visit first before moving .

Have any of a recommendation for a company that assists with the entire process for a fee such as the ”Nomadic Capitalist”?


Many thanks,

Corky

We used John Huber and can recommend them - pricey but good  google the name 

@GozoMo


We are . May 9th - 17 2024

We want to hit the ground running, getting a good look at housing, areas to live and visa applications.

Might you have the name of people in these professions to aid us?


Many thanks,

Corky

@volcane

Awesome thanks!