Difficult for US citizen to open bank account in Malta?

I don't know the full details but when we opened a bank account we had to sign a form to say we had no links to the U.S.

Now that you have clarified 'a year or so' things become a lot simpler as you will not be looking for permanent residency.
Think about using a credit/debit card or a pre paid Euro cash card.
Could be a lot easier.

It appears that you will require a visa for any stay over 90 days. Your passport will be stamped upon entry (for which you need one spare page in your passport) and you will be required to leave after the 90 day period unless you have that visa.

It will be difficult to gain that visa unless you are willing to participate in any retirement scheme they have here (which I do not pretend to know anything about but it seems you need to have a lot of money.)

See:
http://www.johnhubermalta.com/Residence … ramme.aspx

and

http://www.johnhubermalta.com/Residence … ramme.aspx

PS. Malta is a party to the Schengen Agreement. This means that U.S. citizens travelling for tourism or business can apply to enter the Schengen area without a visa for up to 90 days within each 180 period. Your passport must be valid for at least three months beyond your intended date of departure from the Schengen area. For further information concerning entry requirements for Malta, travellers should contact the Embassy of Malta at 2017 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington DC 20008, tel.: (202) 462-3611, or the Maltese Consulate in New York City, tel.: (212) 725-2345.

Opening a bank account in Malta is a real problem for all expats who don't work here. Being an American will probably be an additional obstacle.

There is even an EU Directive that says having access to a bank account is a right of the EU citizens: banks cannot refuse the provisions just because you're from another EU country..... I showed that to an HSBC manager who ignored it offhand and still refused to open a bank account.

Do you really need a bank account and a card? Can you use your US facilities?
There is an easy option to get some day to day banking facilities: https://www.papaya.eu/

Please note:
I am not affiliated with this firm nor is this a personal recommendation. I just know they exist!

You may find this thread useful:

https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.p … 91#1751600

Have to say I had no problem whatsoever opening an account here, I'm expat and not working.
I did it before my arrival here.
However, in the case of being a TCN then there could be issues and not just visa issues.

Are you retired redmik?

I am retired but not of UK State Pension age.

Sorry, that wasn't a remark on your age, but your status/catagory.

They view you differently (I imagine it's to do with having an income). Students are also treated differently.

No offence taken at all, I just responded to your assertion that (quote) 'Opening a bank account in Malta is a real problem for all expats who don't work here.

I also do not think that it has anything to do with my status either. As I say, I did it before moving here and applying for eResidence. All I had to do was undertake that my income was above a certain amount and prove that.
I also had to provide my address on Gozo which I knew before moving.

i think that the banks still have a "get out" at the moment as they must comply with what you say as regards easy access to a standard simple bank account  - but only by 2016... so they ve got plenty time to act this way before they will be forced by legislation to do so.. or incur infringement notices and penalties.

i too did as Redmik did  - mine were opened before arrival  - however mine wasnt that problem free - - but was fraught with issues to do with HSBC UKs mismanagement of their own processes.....

Just saw this article about US citizens and their Maltese bank accounts. It would explain that Maltese banks might not like opening new accounts !

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/vi … der.557313

Cheers
Ricky

Thanks!  I'm getting consistent feedback that the best way to go is to simply use a debit card from my US bank.  That and a credit card should work.  Thanks to all for your input.  The Wild Hare

If, you do get a visa and if you do become a resident then don't forget  you will be subject to tax on income arising in Malta, on income arising abroad but received in Malta, and on capital gains arising in Malta. Individuals who are neither resident in Malta nor domiciled in Malta (temporary residents) are subject to tax only on income and capital gains arising in Malta.
This includes the use of Credit/Debit cards connected with any bank outside Malta.

We had a good chat with a Maltese tax/expat specialist during last visit (before EU) who explained that only income earned in Malta would be taxed.  It was a very good environment for Expats not working there.  Seems that too has slipped.  I'm feeling like a salmon swimming upstream and over waterfalls on this adventure!  Looks like an extended vacation rather than short residence may prove the more realistic option.

The whole world has changed, not just Malta.
Money laundering is a great issue as is tax evasion etc. etc.
Malta is no longer the 'little gem' and bastion of all things 'free and easy' though it is still a good environment.
(Well it is in some areas.)

Indeed it has changed and not just Malta as you say.  We wouldn't have met had Cape Town SA, once the most fantastic place in the world in my eyes, not descended into its current state of outlawry and shabbiness.  I visited it once in the 70s, again in the 80s, and in 2004.  I don't have words for what's happened to magnificent South Africa.  And you by chance are communicating with a hare who picked up a graduate degree in Sub-Saharan African Affairs along this mortal journey so the dismay is particularly keen.

I recently lived in Malta for three years and probably will go back next year. During that time I never felt the need for a  Maltese bank account. I did however use a bank account in the Netherlands with a credit card connected. Everything from groceries to phone bills can be paid by credit card. For larger amounts like rent payments an free international transfer arrives within 24 hours. For US citizens and bank this may be more problematic however.

I'm an American living in Malta. I didn't have any problems with Banif, but I also have a job here. If you go that route, you will have to provide a letter or other transmission from your bank in the US showing you've got ample reason to return to the US

Most eu banks don't want to open accounts for those who aren't going to be around for a while. I'm curious, though, why you don't just tell your US bank you're traveling, and continue to use that bank? I'm still using two accounts I have in the US.

Good luck!