Residency - Timeline

Applying for the eresidency card is simply a form to fill in, it makes no difference with regard to deciding to stay or go!
As an  EU  citizen  you have freedom to travel in and out of Malta.
Same with the car regarding the tax exemption, start the process as soon  as you can, after all you don,t have to go ahead once its been  approved and it takes up to three months anyway.
You can always go back as non of the bureaucracy is binding and most of it is free or low cost when applying (just photos etc) and you are keeping a place in the UK.

Don't stress, this is Malta.

Terry

Thanks Terry - you're right. I'm stressing about it too much now!

Your comments are very interesting and I'm going to have a good think about them over the weekend 

Hi Matt,

Moving home is stressful, moving countries, phew!...my wife and I have moved countries 4 times! Sure, it is stressful, but keep mindful of why you are doing it. The preparation phase is always full of unknowns. Questions that will sometimes never be fully answered until you are there 'doing it' and making it happen.

Logistically, there is a lot to think about. That alone is stressful and dependent on each persons circumstances. I can't advise regarding a car as we won't be taking one, and never have in previous moves.

I can only relay  plans for our move. And that is to do as much research possible for starting our own business (interior design and renovations). This will involve a website build, business plan, marketing, up to date portfolio (you can see the kind of work I do in my website link to the left). This will be done BEFORE the move.

We will find a cheap place to rent in Malta (hopefully Marsaskala, we've seen long lets from 250 e/month), and are prepared to spend a little time relaxing while getting the paperwork together for being on the island. We are likely to search and apply for employment in the interim of getting our business off the ground. I do have concerns regarding finding work myself, as I have specialist skills which narrow my possibilities. (though videogame companies (my previous profession) have been given a big boost from the government to set up in Malta).

Back on the topic of timeframe though. How 'ready' are you currently, to move country? If the house sold today, are you really ready to go the following day? (hypothetically speaking). Do you have other things you can think of that would need talking care of before moving? Are your belongings in storage? Have you packed anything/sold anything you don't need to take with you? (shipping is expensive....4 times remember!? haha). Do you have any paperwork and formalities that need to be in order? In other words, could you really go NOW, if the house sold now?

Sorry for the torrent of questions above! From experience I know how ready my wife and i need to be, so I'm working on that now (hello ebay and tins of paint and bags of plaster!). I can't make the business plans until our house is ready to go on the market. That will then be a waiting game, so I can do that then.

My experience is it takes longer than expected, but this is our experience of it, it'll be different for everyone. But be ready. I emphasize that last sentence..be ready!

But, most important for me, I go to sleep each night picturing living in Malta. I sea the apartment, look out the window to the sea, picture myself in shorts almost everyday, soaking up the sun and fresh air, swimming at sunset, eating fresh food. This is why we are going, quality of life. I can't wait!

:-)

drael wrote:

But, most important for me, I go to sleep each night picturing living in Malta. I sea the apartment, look out the window to the sea, picture myself in shorts almost everyday, soaking up the sun and fresh air, swimming at sunset, eating fresh food. This is why we are going, quality of life. I can't wait!

:-)

...that's whats doing it for me too!! 

Hi David,
We started our 'little project' with the ideas that you wrote (so well) about. We came up with mind maps about what we needed to do in the UK, in Malta, about legalities and about setting up in business, we scheduled meetings to make sure we are on top of everything.

Then, life gets in the way. Our UK businesses are SO busy at the moment (why? we don't advertise, aren't taking on many new clients - but it's a mad time of year (i.e. no longer winter) for the Pet Care business) and Mum in Law has been taken very poorly (she's already in Malta (and been in hospital for the last week))

There are so many plates spinning that you are quite right. If we did sell our house, the slow and careful de clutter we planned (and haven't done) will be a mad panic. We aren't taking anything with us that won't fit in our old Honda HRV, so there is a lot to get rid of!

Our main priority at the moment is Mum in Law  - and her condition MAY mean that at least one of us needs to be in Malta earlier than planned (leaving the other one (muggins) to sort out the rest in the UK!)

It'll all work out, and I hate to complain about business being too good! Hope that's the case in Malta too!

Must keep thinking "calm blue ocean, calm blue ocean" !

Thanks for your post - sounds like you should have the next move planned to perfection (as you seem to have had plenty of practice!)

Best
Matt

Exciting Update: Looks like all the theory and the great resource of this blog that I've been reading since the start of the year is just about to turn into practice!

We have just accepted an offer on our house in the UK.

Looks like we are coming to Malta!

Fingers crossed for quick exchange of contracts 

Oh and MiL is bring well looked after in Mater Dei and while she does have a problem it isn't (yet) as bad as it might be. Maria has been out with her this week and made some great progress on the Malta side of the plans.

Hi Matt,

That's great news!
Please keep me updated on your Malta progress, I'm going to send you a PM with my email, as I'd like to keep in touch, and hopefully meet up once we get there. We'll take you out to the lobster bar for a late night :-)

Hi Matt
           Great news and stay positive!

Terry