Small family + friend Moving to Malta

Member since 26 May 2017

LincourtNew member26 May 2017 04:08:50

Hello! This is my first post here. My Significant other(34), our baby(1), our best friend(28) and I(29) are thinking about moving from Argentina to Malta within the next three years. (We haven't decided to which city, but it seems that it doesn't really matter because it's really small, right?)

We're currently working as freelance translators. My friend and I have an undergraduate degree in English-Spanish translation and we would like to take a course at the Malta University once we move there. The course would last 6 months, but we want to move there permanently.

At first our friend would be living with us until we get settled there, so we'd initially rent a three bedroom apartment.

We have been looking at real estate agents and it seems that rentals for a nice 3 bedroom apartment is about 700 Euros. Correct me if I'm wrong. I've also read about the average salaries over there and I think we could have a confortable life there, not luxurious though.

I've been checking all websites regarding the documents necessary to move there and it seems that the process is as follows:

1- Travel as tourist (3 month stay allowed)
2-As soon as you arrive, apply for residency which takes around 1 month and half.

Is it as simple as that? As non EU citizens, do we need anything else aside from our passports and IDs?
Should we choose to find a local job, do we need a certificate of good standing issued in our country?

As I've said, we're not moving right away, we're doing research and I'd just to know more about how to do things right!

Also, how would tax work for our family situation? I read that for each family member you have to pay 20% extra tax, but what happens if you're not married? We could get married before going there, but it's not really part of the plan for now.

Thanks in advance!

Sarvesh ViP

Member since 03 April 2017

SarveshViP26 May 2017 06:52:07

908

Hi Lincourt,

Welcome on board.

While waiting for our members to come up with solutions to your questions, I'd request you to go through the Living in Malta guide where you'll find all you need to know to relocate and live in Malta.

Best of luck.

Regards,

Sarvesh
https://www.expat.com

Lincourt New member

Member since 26 May 2017

LincourtNew member26 May 2017 14:32:29

Thanks, Sarvesh, however there are GREAT discrepancies between the information listed in the guide you've linked me and the Malta government website, especially regarding the types of visas and their requirements. Could you clarify if this guide is outdated?

bernie_iris_fabian_david Serial expat

Member since 21 July 2015

bernie_iris_fabian_davidSerial expat26 May 2017 14:35:32

337

Hi there, two things I'd like to point out to you: 1. The real estate websites are ALL out of date, none of the properties are available... there are many threads about that topic on this forum. 2. As a non-eu citizen, it's not that easy to get a work permit.. there are several topics about TCNs (third country nationals) on this forum, too. I'd strongly advise you to do thorough research before taking a decision.. Good luck.

PS I'm a freelance translator, too, though I mostly teach English at the moment..

bernie_iris_fabian_david Serial expat

Member since 21 July 2015

bernie_iris_fabian_davidSerial expat26 May 2017 14:36:56

337

Lincourt wrote:
Thanks, Sarvesh, however there are GREAT discrepancies between the information listed in the guide you've linked me and the Malta government website, especially regarding the types of visas and their requirements. Could you clarify if this guide is outdated?

I wouldn't trust that guide too much, it's been written by people who are not based in Malta...

Lincourt New member

Member since 26 May 2017

LincourtNew member26 May 2017 15:30:09

Thanks, Bernie! I've read that the real Estate are outdated, but i've seen rentals there for 300/400 so 700 was an approximate, isn't that close enough to current numbers?

For now we'd only be looking at residency permits, because we're freelancers and already have jobs. I will continue to wait for more information from other members then if the guide is not up to date.

GozoMo Malta Expert

Member since 29 September 2015

GozoMoMalta Expert26 May 2017 16:49:33

2204

Lincourt wrote:
Thanks, Bernie! I've read that the real Estate are outdated, but i've seen rentals there for 300/400 so 700 was an approximate, isn't that close enough to current numbers?

For now we'd only be looking at residency permits, because we're freelancers and already have jobs. I will continue to wait for more information from other members then if the guide is not up to date.

You would be very lucky to find a decent property at 300 even on Gozo.

bernie_iris_fabian_david Serial expat

Member since 21 July 2015

bernie_iris_fabian_davidSerial expat26 May 2017 22:49:53

337

Lincourt wrote:
Thanks, Bernie! I've read that the real Estate are outdated, but i've seen rentals there for 300/400 so 700 was an approximate, isn't that close enough to current numbers?

I'd say depending on where you're looking and, more importantly, WHEN (i.e. what season) you arrive, € 700 is realistic.

It's definitely a bad idea to look for rental properties in the summer months, as prices fluctuate and landlords argue that they can charge much more if they rent their properties out to tourists in the summer (an argument that I'd say isn't really valid if you're looking for long lets, but you'll hear it again and again from agents and landlords alike...)

From my experience last year, the time between October / November and February / March is best to look for properties. We would have found a rather modern, spacious and nice 3 br flat in the north at €500 in February (we didn't take it in the end, though, but just because we found something closer to my work), but then friends of ours found something similar in August and paid €1000.

There are various facebook groups dedicated to finding places to rent in Malta, they will give you a better idea of what to expect.

This year I'll only be in Malta for 2 months - in high season - and without my family, and I'm paying about €800 / month for a ROOM (not a flat!) In the end, it might almost have been cheaper to look for a cheap studio flat in March or April and rent it for 6 months... but that's Malta

Lincourt New member

Member since 26 May 2017

LincourtNew member27 May 2017 01:00:35

Thank you! I will definitely arrange things to move during their winter then. We plan on moving permanently so we want somewhere stable.

How do you look for property there? Do you just set foot with all your baggage there and start walking around?

GozoMo Malta Expert

Member since 29 September 2015

GozoMoMalta Expert27 May 2017 06:24:28

#10

2204

Lincourt wrote:
Thank you! I will definitely arrange things to move during their winter then. We plan on moving permanently so we want somewhere stable.

How do you look for property there? Do you just set foot with all your baggage there and start walking around?

Its advisable to have a holiday here first to see whether Malta is to your liking before deciding to live here.