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Guide to Malta’s Tax Rates

Malta Tax Rates

At first glance, Malta appears to have a tax system that is very similar to what you’d find in Western Europe, North America or other developed countries.

There are tax brackets in Malta and the top bracket pays 35% of their above-threshold income.

For our purposes, the most interesting aspect of the tax system are Malta’s tax rates on foreign residents of Malta.

In a nutshell, if you qualify for this status, you will only pay Maltese tax on the income you generate in Malta or on money you remit to Malta. That probably means you pay a lot less than 35%.

There are exceptions and other points to keep in mind. And there are situations where you might want to become a Maltese citizen and therefore become subject to Malta’s entire tax system.

This guide will lead you through the finer points of all those eventualities. We’ll cover everything Malta’s capital gains taxes to the tax rates in Malta for corporations

Continue reading “Guide to Malta’s Tax Rates”

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Malta’s Real Estate Market Report: Prices & Trends in 2019

Over the past two to three years, Malta has made headlines around the world for its robust real estate growth. But headlines being what they are, often raise more questions than they answer…

  • Does the sunny outlook apply across the islands?
  • Are some types of property more popular than others?
  • Are renters feeling the squeeze as much as buyers?

And then all of the questions that inform how you’ll behave if you’re entering Malta’s real estate market as an expat:

All of these questions and more will be answered as we dig into Malta’s real estate market. Find out where trends are going and what they mean for the financial future of buyers and sellers alike.

Continue reading “Malta’s Real Estate Market Report: Prices & Trends in 2019”

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Where to Find Property for Sale in Malta

Property For Sale In Malta

Malta has a thriving and diverse real estate market. There’s a property for sale in Malta to fit every lifestyle and budget.

There are several tools, detailed below, that you can put to work to find your perfect property that’s for sale in Malta.

Note that these vary slightly if the owners put their property up for sale without an agent. If your Maltese dream property is for sale by the owner there may be special considerations to take into account and you’ll get a thorough outline of those below.

You’ll also find a handy guide to the lingo and jargon used to advertise real estate for sale in Malta.

Buying a home is a huge life step and the research can get intense – especially when you are buying outside of your home country.

Preparation is critical and professional assistance can make the process go smoothly. This guide has everything you need for hiccup-free house hunt in Malta. Continue reading “Where to Find Property for Sale in Malta”

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Malta’s Investment Visa: Your Complete Guide

Malta Investment Visa

There are a few obvious reasons why Malta’s investment visa program is so popular. Malta is a safe place to live with a stable economy and a solid banking system.

As well, Malta’s investment visa offers visa-free travel within the Schengen zone to its holders.

Malta has a relatively fast course to citizenship, at least if you are a high net worth individual. There are some significant steps to that process and it can take up to two years to complete, so the investment visa may be a useful device in the interim.

Your eligibility for the investment visa program depends largely on your nationality and meeting the required criteria, mainly making the stipulated contribution.

Choosing to put up the sum of money is a daunting step for many, so careful planning is essential. This comprehensive guide will take you smoothly through the process without any hitches. Continue reading “Malta’s Investment Visa: Your Complete Guide”

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The Best Places to Live in Malta

Best Place to Live in Malta

At less than 50 kilometers from one end of the main island to the other, Malta seems like a small, easily accessible country. How hard could it be to find a place to live in a country where everything is supposedly a 35-minute drive from everything else?

Well, the usual problem of rush-hour traffic applies even more than normal to Malta’s aging road system. If your commute involves a trip into one of the historic areas with even narrower streets, it could climb above 75 minutes, each way.

Factor in dropping the kids off at school and life in a Mediterranean paradise could easily become a life spent in frustrating traffic.

So, the usual consideration about proximity to work and school definitely applies when it comes time to find a place to live in Malta.

Luckily, there are plenty of options for where to live in Malta spread across the five districts of the main island, plus Gozo.

Some of these are better suited to English-speaking expats in Malta or to those with a family. Below you’ll find an all-inclusive guide to answering the “where should I live in Malta?” question. Continue reading “The Best Places to Live in Malta”

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Your Guide to International & Private Schools in Malta

Private Schools in Malta

Malta’s history as a magnet for expats goes back at least two hundred years so it’s no surprise that there are many private schools in Malta geared to this community.

The island’s history with Catholic orders goes back even further so several of these schools are parochial in nature. Or at least maintain a Catholic-sounding name.

In general, the school curriculum in Malta is based on standards leftover from the country’s association with Britain.

While English is one of the official languages in Malta, it often comes second to Maltese in terms of the language of choice for instruction in Maltese public schools.

If you’re looking at private schools in Malta, this guide will help you pick the best one for your child.

Please note that this guide is directed towards expats, so we’ve focused on the top English-speaking schools, including kindergarten options and those that offer international diplomas. Continue reading “Your Guide to International & Private Schools in Malta”

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How to Work with Property Negotiators in Malta

Property Negotiators Malta

Malta’s real estate market is packed with good-value opportunities with features to match almost every taste. But how can you be sure you’ve seen the best options? Or are getting the best price?

That’s where a property negotiator comes in. They act like a buyer’s real estate agent.

A good property negotiator can help you find the optimal property in Malta at the right price. At the very least they give the peace of mind that helps you feel like a professional is on your side.

When you go about selecting a property negotiator to work with, it really helps to have done your own research. Use this how-to guide you to the perfect property negotiator.

Continue reading “How to Work with Property Negotiators in Malta”

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The Art of Finding Property in Malta to Rent

Malta Property Rent

Renting is a core way of finding a home here. Property rentals in Malta are especially popular with expats who make up a very large segment of the country’s tenants.

That’s partly because Malta is such a popular expat destination but also because there are no restrictions on foreigners renting property in Malta.

Real estate agents are sometimes used but often property will be for rent in Malta direct from its owner. On the tenant’s side, some property negotiators specialize in finding rental properties and can be hired to help in your search.

Finding a home to rent can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. What’s the best town? How much should I pay in rent? What length of tenancy can I expect?

All these questions (and more!) are answered in this invaluable rundown on the details of renting property in Malta. Continue reading “The Art of Finding Property in Malta to Rent”

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What You Need to Know About Banking in Malta

Banking in Malta

With its position as an international financial center and attractive status for expats, Malta’s banking system deserves some attention.

At the turn of the 21st century, Malta had only four commercial banks. Due to a solid economy and prudently managed banking system that number is now over 25.

The search for the right bank in Malta can depend on factors like whether you already have an account with one of the global banks who operate here and whether you want private banking services.

Whether you want to move to Malta, are looking to register a company here or want to know about offshore banking in Malta, read on. In this guide you will find everything you need to know about banking in Malta. Continue reading “What You Need to Know About Banking in Malta”

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Trusted Property Management in Malta

Property Management Malta

Second properties are especially popular in Malta. A recent survey found that almost 20% of Maltese residents own a second property somewhere in the country.

The obvious thing to do with your vacation property (or principal residence) when you aren’t using it is to rent it out. You probably don’t want to trek up to Gozo to change the sheets every time a short-term tenant checks out. And who wants to worry about a leaky roof while overseas for an extended stay?

Both situations are where good real estate management comes in handy. And also makes owning multiple income properties doable.

But Malta is a small country and, to some extent, the government has learned the lesson demonstrated by its Mediterranean neighbors. So, there is a fairly significant set of regulations on buying and renting property in Malta, which discourage run-away development and slipshod rental practices.

A good property management company in Malta can help you with the day-to-day operation and also guide you on how to stay within the letter of the law. Continue reading “Trusted Property Management in Malta”