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Dave&Rea
#1
Hi everyone you may or may not have read our profile, we are a couple in our early 40's who due to UK goverment cuts have found ourself at a crossroads in our life where our plan to move to Malta is within our grasp.
It has been a pipe dream for years and now have some finances to begin.
We would like information and advise about the first stage of such a big move. We have done some research online but have found much of the infomation dated or conflicting.
We would like you to consider us as a new friends who you can advise and help make our pipedream a reality.
And who knows perhaps you would like to travel our journey via our blogs with us until we are also living and working in Malta.

So this is our pipedream  - to find a home in a friendly semi-quiet community in which we could make new friends. We are not pub type people more read/ talk type with a glass of wine at home.
It has been suggested Marsascala and Marsaxlokk also Mosta and Naxxar, though we would prefer to see the sea from where we settle.
Can anyone help with suggestions. We have found franksalt.com for retal property and this is the plan to rent for 12 months first.
We are not tradespeople, and would be looking to start again career wise, we acknowledge the wages will not be what we are used to and this is something we have discussed together.
Does anyone have any suggestions for us to old to be holiday reps to young to be retired. :/
The ID cards these appear to have changed so much conflicting advise on the internet on this subject.
Finding and buying a car also car insurance any advise on this would be appreciated.
Healt and health insurace does our E11 card cover us or not do we have to sort health insurance out on the island.
See also
GuestPoster566
#2
Hi, With so many questions you ask many will be answered by looking through the forum topics sections, see them at the top of the page here:

https://www.expat.com/forum/viewforum.php?id=341

I would suggest a visit, if you haven't been here before, (have you?)and you also analyse your main reason for coming, that will determine the priority of specific questions to ask and help many on here to help you. If you are expecting somewhere to live that's 'cheap' be prepared to be disappointed (except property rental)though the high cost of many items, is in my experience when compared to the UK, exaggerated. Perhaps because many here have been ex-pats for a long time.
There is definitive procedural advice regarding e-residence (no more ID cards for ex-pats)on the relevant Malta Government Departmental sites.
Also I suggest you read the Maltese newspapers, available online in English, to gain a sense of the culture and what are the priorities for the people on Malta and Gozo. Read Times of Malta on Sunday, classifieds section, for vacancies etc but you will have to present yourselves personally if you expect to get anywhere, not by email etc. Business, in my experience, is done 'face to face' most of the time.

May I ask what you mean by 'we are not tradespeople'?
I ask because if you are not prepared to mix it with many who are very hard working and if you are looking for a 'little Middle England, then though you may find that, you will miss out on so much that the people have to offer.
Culture starts at grass roots level.

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Malta
G
#3
I'll send you a PM to a link covering

1. An EU citizens legal rights - residency, working, students
2. what sort of residency is available ?
3. what do I need to apply for if I want to reside in Malta ?
4. do I need to apply for residency before coming to live in Malta ?
5. do I need an accountant to apply for residency ?
6. do I need health insurance ?
6.1 Do I qualify for public health cover, and if I do, what cover do I have ? Are prescriptions free ?
7. can I work in Malta ?
7.1 How much is income tax ?
7.2 How much are social security contributions ?
8. where do I apply for my residency certificate ?
9. where can I get the residency application forms ?
10. where do I apply for my ID card ? - EDIT no longer applicable as ID cards no longer issued to foreigners
11. what documents do I need to apply for residency ?
12. can I vote in Malta ?
13.1 buying a property FAQ
13.2 selling a property FAQ
14. renting a property FAQ
15. Importing a vehicle FAQ
16. What's the procedure for importing/exporting a pet ?
17. Can I use my driving licence in Malta ?
17.1 Applying for driving licence
18. Long term residency certificate
19. EHIC
Dave&Rea
#4
Redmic Thank you so much for responding, I am reading so many forums and doing lots of research before making any definate plans. I would seem that many people just turn up and go from there we are not that would like to build solid foundations and know what Im doing before selling up and shipping out.
It was not meant disrepectfully to say "we are not traded people" this statement means our skills and work experience does not come with a certificate attached, prison service and office management are not trades in the terms of IT, joiner,carpenter beauty to name but a few. I have visited Malta over the last 40 years many many times and have seen the island develop more and more, When I first visited gozo in the 70's it was nothing like it is now.
We have finaces to live on but would like to find employment as we are to young to retire.
Coming from a ex mining community We have no reuirements to search for "middle england" trust me I wouldnt fit in to that lol. Good people living a good life in a good country, that the sort we want to be/meet, who would like to pop round for a brew
GuestPoster566
#5

Dave&Rea wrote:

Redmic Thank you so much for responding, I am reading so many forums and doing lots of research before making any definate plans. I would seem that many people just turn up and go from there we are not that would like to build solid foundations and know what Im doing before selling up and shipping out.
It was not meant disrepectfully to say "we are not traded people" this statement means our skills and work experience does not come with a certificate attached, prison service and office management are not trades in the terms of IT, joiner,carpenter beauty to name but a few. I have visited Malta over the last 40 years many many times and have seen the island develop more and more, When I first visited gozo in the 70's it was nothing like it is now.
We have finaces to live on but would like to find employment as we are to young to retire.
Coming from a ex mining community We have no reuirements to search for "middle england" trust me I wouldnt fit in to that lol. Good people living a good life in a good country, that the sort we want to be/meet, who would like to pop round for a brew


Apologies for any incorrect inferences made. You sound like our type of people :-) I agree Gozo is changed from the 70's which was when I was first there but it is less changed than Malta.
If you move to Gozo, please do pop round for a brew. Good luck!

Dave&Rea
#6
georgeingozo Thank you so much for the PM and the information contained, We shall work through it all :)
Dave&Rea
#7
Redmik  I just may do that (pop round for a brew) We will initially, after doing a lot of online research, be coming over for a 6 week "scouting aound information gathering" break some time this summer, after that if all goes well and the internet research and on island research all add up we will be looking at possibly November to January talking the giant step. That way we would be moved in and organised before the summer heat.
GuestPoster566
#8
Stay in touch then. I have PM'd you.
Rocking Ken
#9
Hi,

Also PM'd you :)

Ken
socialwhirl
#10
I am moving out next month, if its any help I can tell you what I did

I arranged a visit about 4 weeks prior to travel date (last week) I viewed property and had a look at some areas I hadn't been to before

And I found a place to live, in Mellieha.

Personally I found Marsascala and Marsaxlokk felt too quiet. Out of season you won't find much there.

I found plenty of apartments were available at what I think are very reasonable prices, easily get something for €500 unless you want seafront or special view.

I was told it was the best time to look as later in the season there will be less choice, because I have dogs and needed outside space my choice was more limited anyway, but if its just two of you should be fine.

I think the comments that say just arrive and book a holiday apartment for a week while you find a. place are very valid, if you have no special requirements. For me I didn't want two moves and living out f suitcases.

I can't comment re work as I'm self employed.:)
socialwhirl
#11
Georgeingozo

Could you send me the link too?

I'm moving in 3 weeks so any info is useful :)

Thank you
Dave&Rea
#12
Mellieha is a place with sentimental attachement to Rea, her grandad was posted there in WW2 and helped built the air raid shelter which is now open to the public, she would be living in an area with snippets of her family history all around :)
mantonas
#13

georgeingozo wrote:

I'll send you a PM to a link covering

1. An EU citizens legal rights - residency, working, students
2. what sort of residency is available ?
3. what do I need to apply for if I want to reside in Malta ?
4. do I need to apply for residency before coming to live in Malta ?
5. do I need an accountant to apply for residency ?
6. do I need health insurance ?
6.1 Do I qualify for public health cover, and if I do, what cover do I have ? Are prescriptions free ?
7. can I work in Malta ?
7.1 How much is income tax ?
7.2 How much are social security contributions ?
8. where do I apply for my residency certificate ?
9. where can I get the residency application forms ?
10. where do I apply for my ID card ? - EDIT no longer applicable as ID cards no longer issued to foreigners
11. what documents do I need to apply for residency ?
12. can I vote in Malta ?
13.1 buying a property FAQ
13.2 selling a property FAQ
14. renting a property FAQ
15. Importing a vehicle FAQ
16. What's the procedure for importing/exporting a pet ?
17. Can I use my driving licence in Malta ?
17.1 Applying for driving licence
18. Long term residency certificate
19. EHIC


Hi georgeingozo,

Would you be so kind and send me all that info via PM, too?

Thanks in advance,
Antonio

Dave&Rea
#14
Socialwhirl  Where did you find your home, is it bought or rental did you find it online or in a shop or word of mouth. We are considering bringing over our dog too she is a 5 year old staff, "our gentle cow" (shes black and white and looks like a freshian) Our cat we wouldnt be bringing unfortunately.
We were unsure if you could have pets in a rental place, if your renting pershaps you can advise.
Dave&Rea
#15
We have just gotten a book at the library about "moving abroad" its a "Which" book so hopefully should ave some good information in there. Dave will be making it is bedtime reading :)

It has been suggested to look to buy a UK internet business, does anyone have any experience of doing this from Malta? gain advise is more than welcome.
G
#16

Dave&Rea wrote:

Socialwhirl 
We were unsure if you could have pets in a rental place, if your renting pershaps you can advise.


Generally no, but some landlords say yes. More likely to be ok in a house than an apartment

G
#17

mantonas wrote:
georgeingozo wrote:

I'll send you a PM to a link covering

1. An EU citizens legal rights - residency, working, students
2. what sort of residency is available ?
3. what do I need to apply for if I want to reside in Malta ?
4. do I need to apply for residency before coming to live in Malta ?
5. do I need an accountant to apply for residency ?
6. do I need health insurance ?
6.1 Do I qualify for public health cover, and if I do, what cover do I have ? Are prescriptions free ?
7. can I work in Malta ?
7.1 How much is income tax ?
7.2 How much are social security contributions ?
8. where do I apply for my residency certificate ?
9. where can I get the residency application forms ?
10. where do I apply for my ID card ? - EDIT no longer applicable as ID cards no longer issued to foreigners
11. what documents do I need to apply for residency ?
12. can I vote in Malta ?
13.1 buying a property FAQ
13.2 selling a property FAQ
14. renting a property FAQ
15. Importing a vehicle FAQ
16. What's the procedure for importing/exporting a pet ?
17. Can I use my driving licence in Malta ?
17.1 Applying for driving licence
18. Long term residency certificate
19. EHIC


Hi georgeingozo,

Would you be so kind and send me all that info via PM, too?

Thanks in advance,
Antonio


Done

1 member reacted to this post
Naz23
#18
Good luck! We are a couple age 26 and 32yrs old. We have decided to do the same and move.
In two weeks time we shall be driving down to Malta. We have decided on Gozo as you get more for your money and its cleaner. From all the places we have seen I would say to pop over for 2 weeks and have a look at as many places frank salt where great! There are a few smaller company's too. Any help message me and I will do my best to answer any questions x
socialwhirl
#19
Dave&rea I found that you are more likely to find dog friendly places, central and north.

I have rented a lovely place in Mellieha . My future landlord has a number of properties in Mellieha and Mosta, and he is dog friendly. I found it via Sandra at Sapphire Real Estate in Qawra, I also found Dave at Alexander Estates in Bugibba helpful. Frank Salt there were useless once I mentioned dogs they just said there weren't any properties. As I was viewing with other agents I knew that wasn't true.

I went over for 4 days to look around and find a place. If you want an apartment it's way easier than findin a house. I ended up with an apartment with a huge terrace.

PM me if you what to chat more
Dave&Rea
#20
Socialwhirl Thanks for that and also the contact names of the places you used, I will add them to my rapidly expanding info book. I am sentimentaal about our dog, I'm already going to be coming without my kids (ones in the british forces the other is soon to be) the dog is my final "baby". As she is 5 I am "her mum" and try as i can I think in reality she will come too as I couldnt put her in a dogs home for rehousing. So having now heard from you there are landlords willing to accept dogs I am happy, If you would be so kind wen you next have contact with your landlord will you ask for a contact email, then I can ask them to send me some property information on his buildings that would accept our  dog Thanks
Dave&Rea
#21
Naz, Im curious as to why Gozo, we have thought of going there but wondered about the commute to Malta for work? It it cheaper there when you take the constant ferry commute into consideration?
I know there are jobs in Gozo but surely it is limited and the chance of finding jobs easier in Malta itself?
Anyone if I am completely wrong in this assumption please advise

Thanks
GuestPoster566
#22
I think that anyone would find the commute to work from Gozo to Malta draining, especially if they use Arriva and if going any distance from Cirkewwa. There are subsidised frequent Traveller and Daily Commuter Cards available.
See here: http://www.gozochannel.com/companyop_rates_glance.htm
G
#23

redmik wrote:

I think that anyone would find the commute to work from Gozo to Malta draining, especially if they use Arriva and if going any distance from Cirkewwa. There are subsidised frequent Traveller and Daily Commuter Cards available.
See here: http://www.gozochannel.com/companyop_rates_glance.htm


from memory the subsidised normal fares for Gozo residents are such that there is no point Gozo residents using the frequent traveller or daily commuter cards

G
#24
edit - true for frequent traveller, but the daily commuter card does work out cheaper, even for Gozo residents, but only if travel by car as daily commuter card doesn't appear to cover foot passengers only

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