I would like to share my experience.
I recently moved in Malta as I already had a job offer. The employer asked for a Bank account so that I could get paid.
Having only 1 week in Malta I didnt have any "papers" and I thought as a member of the European Union what problems could there be.
So I went to BOV to open a savings account with a letter from the employer stating the status of the employment, salary, dates, etc. But this was not enough, they wanted to cross check with my Bank in Greece to see my status. I thought that was weird, and until I found out that they have to send by POST in 2013 a request to another bank for validating my Greek address. 2 weeks later and still no bank account. In the meantime, I spoke with my bank in Greece to see that the have received the letter, because BOV is very arrogant, we sent the letter, we dont care... and my bank said that the paper received from BOV is illegal. Its illegal a third party to request private information on a customer and so still 3 weeks later and no bank account. Then I decided to go to HSBC were they follow the same procedure, they have to ask another bank of who you really are in order to open you an account!
Does any body else faced a similar problem? If so any ways to bypass the stupid Banking system of Malta?
Thanks!