Relocation Services

15POSTS

6 years ago

Hello:

I am a US citizen, 67 years old, and retired. I am looking to relocate to Malta. So I will need a non-EU Residence Permit. I see there are some firms that will help with the paperwork. There is Relocation Services Malta, and GCS Malta. Has anyone ever used either of these companies. Are they worth it? GCS Services has quoted me 330 euros to process the forms with Identity Malta. Is that a reasonable fee? Or will they just take my money and disappear?

Is there a firm that anyone could recommend?

Thanks.

See also

How to obtain Maltese Citizenship by Investment - Guide
Relocation agencies in Malta - Business
Relocation to Gozo - 2 Replies
Relocation to Malta but work for UK employer - 11 Replies
Relocation - 12 Replies
Relocation to Malta with single-work permit - 13 Replies
Legal services in Malta - 6 Replies

hanselmar Serial expat

206POSTS

6 years ago

On the internet there are often fly by night companies who just take your money and do nothing for it. Therefore make sure you pay little or nothing in advance.However, generally speaking lawyers are not as expensive as in other countries. In the yellow pages of Malta I have seen www.mamotcv.com, a lawfirm also specilized on immigration.

Texjim Member

15POSTS

6 years ago

May I ask how you obtained your Residence Permit? Did you go to Identity Malta yourself with all the documents? (I realize your situation is probably different than mine).

hanselmar Serial expat

206POSTS

6 years ago

In my case as an EU citizen it is different. I have just to go to the relevant authorities and apply for a residence card. The application takes several months, but once a person has a proper title no authority can reject such an appplication. Furthermore, if people come with their car from another EU country they are allowed to stay as tourist for up to 7 months. In addition to this we have the European Health Insurance card which covers medical treatment within the European union. Of course this is not applicable to people from outside Europe.

GozoMo Malta Expert

2213POSTS

6 years ago

hanselmar wrote:
In my case as an EU citizen it is different. I have just to go to the relevant authorities and apply for a residence card. The application takes several months, but once a person has a proper title no authority can reject such an appplication. Furthermore, if people come with their car from another EU country they are allowed to stay as tourist for up to 7 months. In addition to this we have the European Health Insurance card which covers medical treatment within the European union. Of course this is not applicable to people from outside Europe.

You cannot use the EHIC card here once you are a resident, it is only for tourists.

hanselmar Serial expat

206POSTS

6 years ago

GozoMo wrote:
hanselmar wrote:
In my case as an EU citizen it is different. I have just to go to the relevant authorities and apply for a residence card. The application takes several months, but once a person has a proper title no authority can reject such an appplication. Furthermore, if people come with their car from another EU country they are allowed to stay as tourist for up to 7 months. In addition to this we have the European Health Insurance card which covers medical treatment within the European union. Of course this is not applicable to people from outside Europe.

You cannot use the EHIC card here once you are a resident, it is only for tourists.

Once you are a resident the Entitlement Unit of the Ministry for Energy and Health issues a Certificate of Entitlement for residents. The application is not possible without a residence card.

Texjim Member

15POSTS

6 years ago

Thanks for the info. It gave me the idea to look up Malta Business Bureau and Chamber of Commerce. They list all sorts of companies to help me relocate and handle Residence Permits.

F0xgl0ve Malta Expert

1976POSTS

6 years ago

hanselmar wrote:
GozoMo wrote:
hanselmar wrote:
In my case as an EU citizen it is different. I have just to go to the relevant authorities and apply for a residence card. The application takes several months, but once a person has a proper title no authority can reject such an appplication. Furthermore, if people come with their car from another EU country they are allowed to stay as tourist for up to 7 months. In addition to this we have the European Health Insurance card which covers medical treatment within the European union. Of course this is not applicable to people from outside Europe.

You cannot use the EHIC card here once you are a resident, it is only for tourists.

Once you are a resident the Entitlement Unit of the Ministry for Energy and Health issues a Certificate of Entitlement for residents. The application is not possible without a residence card.

The Maltese authorities will only issue a Certificate of Entitlement for health cover and an EHIC card if you are paying in to the Maltese Social Security system.
The only way for health cover if you are not working and paying contributions is through your home country via a Reciprocal Health Agreement with Malta or for UK citizens via the S1 route if they are State pensioners. (or of course, private health cover)
Health cover has to be in place BEFORE you can apply for your eResidence card, otherwise your application will be rejected.

1 member reacted to this post

timcob Active member

41POSTS

6 years ago

To Texjim,

Perhaps you should check into whether you are eligible to move to Malta? It is not just paperwork. Most Americans are not and so can only stay 90 days as tourists and you do not need anything for that. I know many Americans with property in Europe and they can only come for 90 days at a time.

If your not eligible you can try the investment program to aquire a maltese passport but be aware that it will take several years and involve the investment of roughly a million dollars in property and other investments. There are other countries such as Portugal that have cheaper options than Malta in this area.

Tim

hanselmar Serial expat

206POSTS

6 years ago

#10

timcob wrote:
To Texjim,

Perhaps you should check into whether you are eligible to move to Malta? It is not just paperwork. Most Americans are not and so can only stay 90 days as tourists and you do not need anything for that. I know many Americans with property in Europe and they can only come for 90 days at a time.

If your not eligible you can try the investment program to aquire a maltese passport but be aware that it will take several years and involve the investment of roughly a million dollars in property and other investments. There are other countries such as Portugal that have cheaper options than Malta in this area.

Tim

Yes, there are so many similarities with Europeans coming to America. After the 90 days they are going to the Bahamas for some days and are coming back to the USA. This regulation is a pity, but it happens. Yes, Portugal is the cheaper option and the bigger country too. Over there are less Arabs applying for a passport for convenience sace than in Malta. The only difference in Portugal less people speak english than in Malta. Just adapt yourself to the situation. Going to Portugal instead of going to Malta is for an American the same than for a European going to Costa Rica instead of going to the USA.

timcob Active member

41POSTS

6 years ago

#11

Not quite the same - Europeans visit under ETSA nowadays and you cant just pop over to the Bahamas to reset it.

From the CBP website:

"The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables nationals of certain countries, including Australia, New Zealand, and the U.K., to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa, if certain requirements are met. Under the VWP, time spent in Canada, Mexico, and adjacent islands counts towards the maximum of 90 days stay allowed under the program."

Also if you overstay they will catch you and you will spend time in Prison in the USA which is no fun - see todays Irish news on rte.ie: Irishman 'scared' and 'heartbroken' following US immigration arrest. There is a big crackdown going on in the USA these days.

I have a few American friends who visit their second homes in Europe and they are very careful to not go over the 90 days every 180. Its quite a big deal really.

1 member reacted to this post

hanselmar Serial expat

206POSTS

6 years ago

#12

It appears to be America is worse for Europeans than Europa is for Americans.

Texjim Member

15POSTS

6 years ago

#13

OK. Sounds like a real mess. I always wanted to live in another country to see what it is like. Maybe it is not worth the bother.

1 member reacted to this post

hanselmar Serial expat

206POSTS

6 years ago

#14

Texjim wrote:
OK. Sounds like a real mess. I always wanted to live in another country to see what it is like. Maybe it is not worth the bother.

Due to political reasons everything appears to be a mess. However, this should not deter you to fulfil your life dream. As I mentioned before Costa Rica is beautiful and easy going. The same is applicable to other places in the Caribbean. Check out Curacao and Aruba as well. They speak Dutch and Papimento, but everybody understands english too. Places like Malta and Portugal you can always visit as a tourist. Your money is welcome.

Texjim Member

15POSTS

6 years ago

#15

Hello:

I have not posted in a while. I have purchased airline tickets to visit Malta the first 2 weeks in March. My brother has decided to come along. A realtor has agreed to show me rental properties in Gozo and Marsascala. I will talk to a law firm and an accounting firm to discuss the Global Residency Program, which seems to be my best option for residency permit.

Looking forward to the trip.