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Fishing boats in Marsaxlokk harbour, Malta

🇲🇹  Retiring in Malta

English is an official language, the climate is mild all year and the islands are small and safe. Retiree tax programmes charge 15% on income brought to Malta, but their thresholds rise sharply on 1 January 2027: applications received by 31 December 2026 keep today's rules until 2031.

Last reviewed · official reputable estimate

Capital

Valletta

Currency

EUR

Languages

Maltese, English

Time zone

UTC+1

Daily life

  • Climate: Mediterranean: hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters; one of the warmest winters in Europe.
  • Safety: Low violent crime. Theft, bag snatching and theft from cars are the main risks, plus drink spiking in the Paceville nightlife area; roads are busy and in poor condition in places.
  • English: widely spoken
  • Expat community: large

Sources: UK travel advice: Malta, safety and security (checked 2026-10-22) · Identità (Maltese identity and residence agency) (checked 2026-10-22)

Cost of living

Monthly, EURValletta and the harbour area
SingleCouple
Rent9951,400
Food480860
Utilities165180
Transport00
Health cover150300
Leisure250440
Total2,0403,180

Rent: a one-bedroom flat outside the centre for one person, between one and three bedrooms for a couple. Health: private insurance at 65–74. Utilities include internet. Public transport is free for residents with a personalised card. Gozo is cheaper, but there is too little price data to show it.

Sources: Numbeo: cost of living in Valletta (updated Oct 2026) (checked 2026-10-22) · Malta Public Transport (free travel for residents) (checked 2026-10-22)

Visas and residence

Global Residence Programme (non-EU citizens)

A special tax status with a residence permit for non-EU citizens: 15% tax on foreign income brought to Malta, with a minimum yearly tax, a qualifying home (until the end of 2026: buy for at least €275,000, or €220,000 in Gozo and the south, or rent for €9,600 a year, €8,750 in Gozo and the south), health insurance and an application through a licensed agent. From 1 January 2027 the thresholds rise (purchase €700,000, rent €14,000 a year, minimum tax €15,000).

  • Applications received by 31 December 2026 keep the current rules until 31 December 2031 (Legal Notice 195 of 2026).
  • Official page

Malta Retirement Programme (pensioners)

A special tax status for people whose pension is at least 75% of their income: 15% tax on the pension brought to Malta, minimum €7,500 a year plus €500 per dependant until the end of 2026, then €15,000 from 2027. Same home and insurance rules as above, and an average of 90 days a year in Malta. Whether non-EU citizens can use it is disputed between advisers: ask a licensed agent.

EU, EEA and Swiss citizens: registration

No visa needed. Register for a residence document with Identità, with proof of resources and health cover.

Trying it first: United States passport: 90 days in any 180 without a visa; United Kingdom passport: 90 days in any 180 without a visa; Canada passport: 90 days in any 180 without a visa.

Sources: Mondaq (CSB Group): Legal Notice 195 of 2026, changes from 1 January 2027 (checked 2026-10-22) · CC Malta: Malta Retirement Programme (checked 2026-10-22) · European Commission: Schengen visa policy (90 days in any 180) (checked 2026-10-22)

Healthcare

EU citizens and UK pensioners with an S1 form can use the public system. Non-EU retirees need comprehensive private insurance for their residence programme, and advisers disagree on whether they can use public care.

  • Public system: Public care for EU citizens (EHIC/S1) and UK state pensioners (S1). Non-EU residents: keep private insurance and ask the Entitlement Unit about your case.
  • Private insurance, monthly (EUR): age 55-64: 100 · age 65-74: 150 · age 75+: 230
  • Pre-existing conditions: varies by insurer

Sources: Expat Focus: healthcare in Malta for expats (checked 2026-10-22)

Taxes

Progressive rates up to 35%; non-domiciled residents are taxed on foreign income only if it is remitted to Malta, and foreign capital gains are not taxed. There is no wealth tax and no inheritance tax (duty applies when inherited property is transferred).

  • When you become tax resident: Resident if you live in Malta with the intention of staying, or spend more than 183 days there in a year. Residents who are not domiciled in Malta pay tax on foreign income only when it is brought (remitted) to Malta.
  • Retirement and Global Residence programmes (15%): Flat 15% on foreign income remitted to Malta, with a minimum yearly tax (€7,500 for pensioners, €15,000 for the Global Residence Programme until the end of 2026; €15,000 for both from 2027).

Coming from United States

The US keeps taxing its citizens wherever they live (the treaty's saving clause); foreign tax credits are what prevent paying twice. Ask an adviser who knows both systems before you move.

  • Tax treaty: yes
  • Public pension: US Social Security is taxable only in the US (treaty Article 17(2)).
  • Private pension: Private pensions are taxable only in Malta as your country of residence, but any part the US would exempt (for example qualifying Roth withdrawals) is exempt in Malta too (Article 17(1)).

Sources: US–Malta income tax treaty (US Treasury) (checked 2026-10-22)

Coming from United Kingdom

Malta's Retirement Programme taxes foreign income brought into Malta at 15%, with a minimum tax. Your UK State Pension rises each year while you live there (EEA country or social security agreement).

  • Tax treaty: yes
  • Public pension: Taxable only in Malta under the other income article, which applies to income that is subject to tax in Malta; under Malta's remittance basis, check whether yours is.
  • Private pension: Taxable only in Malta (Article 18). Most UK government pensions (such as civil service pensions) are taxed only in the UK.

Sources: GOV.UK: Malta tax treaties (checked 2026-10-22) · GOV.UK: countries where the State Pension is increased each year (checked 2026-10-22) · GOV.UK: tax on your UK income if you live abroad (State Pension, Personal Allowance, government pensions) (checked 2026-10-22) · HMRC International Manual INTM343190: pensions and annuities (State Pension under tax treaties) (checked 2026-10-22)

Coming from France

Your French social security pension stays taxed in France; Malta taxes private pensions under its own rules.

  • Tax treaty: yes
  • Public pension: Basic state pension: payments under French social security legislation are taxable only in France (Article 18(2)). Civil-service and military pensions are taxed only in France, unless you are Maltese and not French.
  • Private pension: Taxable only in Malta (Article 18(1)). Check with the tax office whether your supplementary AGIRC-ARRCO pensions count as social security under this treaty.

Sources: Laws of Malta S.L. 123.14: Malta–France tax treaty, Articles 18 and 19 (checked 2026-10-22) · economie.gouv.fr: income tax for residents abroad (minimum rates, non-resident withholding on pensions) (checked 2026-10-22)

Coming from somewhere else? The general rules above apply; check your home country's tax treaty with Malta or ask a licensed advisor.

Sources: Mondaq (CSB Group): Legal Notice 195 of 2026, changes from 1 January 2027 (checked 2026-10-22) · Commissioner for Revenue (Malta) (checked 2026-10-22)

Housing

EU citizens buy freely; non-EU citizens need an AIP permit outside Special Designated Areas. Add stamp duty and notary fees.

  • Can foreigners buy? With restrictions: Non-EU buyers need an Acquisition of Immovable Property (AIP) permit with a minimum price that is indexed every year (€174,274 for a flat or maisonette and €300,619 for other homes, 2024 figures; AIP fee €233); they can buy one property, for their own residential use, and the home cannot be rented out, unless they buy in a Special Designated Area, which has no restrictions.
  • Purchase costs: about 7% of the price (taxes and fees)
  • Renting: The residence programmes accept a long lease at or above their minimum rent.

Sources: Malta Tax and Customs Administration: acquisition of immovable property (AIP) by non-residents, FAQ (checked 2026-10-22) · Global Citizen Solutions: buying property in Malta (2026) (checked 2026-10-22) · Lindemann Law: Malta real estate 2026 (AIP thresholds) (checked 2026-10-22)

Settling in

Once you choose Malta, the settling plan takes you through 6 steps, from a year before the move to your first year there. The first ones:

  1. Choose a programme with a licensed agent: The tax programmes are applied for through an Authorised Registered Mandatary. Applying before 31 December 2026 locks in today's thresholds until 2031.
  2. Rent or buy a qualifying home: The lease or purchase must meet the programme minimum (lower in Gozo and the south).
  3. Take out comprehensive health insurance: Required for the programmes and the residence permit, covering you in Malta.
  4. Apply for your residence card: At Identità once your tax status is approved (EU citizens: residence document).

The full plan, with costs, delays and official links, is in your personal space (coming soon).

Rules and figures change and we can make mistakes: confirm with the official source or a licensed advisor before acting.