Malta information hub
Expat life in Malta
Settling in Malta as an international resident: the international communities, integration and language, housing, employment, schools, healthcare, banking, transport, social life, community organisations and the practical challenges people commonly report.
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International communities
Roughly three in ten residents are non-Maltese citizens, from EU countries (Italy, the UK before and after Brexit, Germany, France, Spain, Sweden), the Balkans and eastern Europe, South and South-East Asia, Africa and Latin America, mostly working in gaming, finance, hospitality, healthcare and construction. Communities cluster in the harbour towns and the north coast.
Key figures
Non-Maltese citizens (derived)
about 168,900 (29%)persons
1 January 2025
Eurostat — European Commission (data transmitted by NSO Malta) · verified 01 Oct 2026
Maltese citizens
405,312persons
1 January 2025
Eurostat — European Commission (data transmitted by NSO Malta) · verified 01 Oct 2026
Every figure shows the reference period and the publishing authority. Statistics are refreshed when the source publishes a new release; see the source register for document details.
| Indicator | Value | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population (1 January) | 574,250 persons | 1 January 2025 | Eurostat — European Commission (data transmitted by NSO Malta) · demo_pjan (NSO transmission) · verified 01 Oct 2026 |
| Population (1 January, previous year) | 563,443 persons | 1 January 2024 | Eurostat — European Commission (data transmitted by NSO Malta) · demo_pjan · verified 01 Oct 2026 |
| Population (1 January, two years earlier) | 542,051 persons | 1 January 2023 | Eurostat — European Commission (data transmitted by NSO Malta) · demo_pjan · verified 01 Oct 2026 |
| Population density | 1,817 per km² | 2024 | Eurostat — European Commission (data transmitted by NSO Malta) · demo_r_d3dens · verified 01 Oct 2026 |
| Maltese citizens | 405,312 persons | 1 January 2025 | Eurostat — European Commission (data transmitted by NSO Malta) · migr_pop1ctz, citizen = reporting country · verified 01 Oct 2026 |
| Non-Maltese citizens (derived)Difference of two Eurostat series; the foreign-citizen series itself is not published for 2025 | about 168,900 (29%) persons | 1 January 2025 | Eurostat — European Commission (data transmitted by NSO Malta) · Derived: total population (demo_pjan) minus Maltese citizens (migr_pop1ctz) · verified 01 Oct 2026 |
| Median age | 40.0 years | 2025 | Eurostat — European Commission (data transmitted by NSO Malta) · demo_pjanind MEDAGEPOP · verified 01 Oct 2026 |
| Old-age dependency ratio (65+ per 100 aged 15–64) | 26.6 % | 2025 | Eurostat — European Commission (data transmitted by NSO Malta) · demo_pjanind OLDDEP1 · verified 01 Oct 2026 |
| Crude birth rate | 7.5 per 1,000 | 2025 | Eurostat — European Commission (data transmitted by NSO Malta) · demo_gind GBIRTHRT · verified 01 Oct 2026 |
| Net migration plus statistical adjustment | 13,906 persons | 2025 | Eurostat — European Commission (data transmitted by NSO Malta) · demo_gind CNMIGRAT · verified 01 Oct 2026 |
| Average household size | 2.4 persons | 2025 | Eurostat — European Commission (data transmitted by NSO Malta) · ilc_lvph01 · verified 01 Oct 2026 |
| People at risk of poverty or social exclusion | 19.4 % | 2025 | Eurostat — European Commission · ilc_peps01n · verified 01 Oct 2026 |
Integration and language
English makes the first months easy; learning basic Maltese helps in village life and is appreciated. Parish festas, sports clubs and volunteering are the quickest ways into Maltese social life.
Housing
Most international residents rent furnished apartments in Sliema, St Julian's, Gżira, Msida, Swieqi and St Paul's Bay. See Renting.
Employment and permits
EU citizens register with Identità after three months; non-EU workers need a single permit arranged with the employer. See Work.
Schools and healthcare
State, church, independent and international schools; public healthcare for contributing residents, private insurance otherwise. See Education and Healthcare.
Banking
Opening a bank account requires an ID, proof of address and, often, an employment contract or residence document; due-diligence checks can take weeks. Electronic-money institutions are a common interim solution.
Transport
Free buses for residents with a tallinja card; many expats go without a car in the harbour area. See Transport.
Social life and organisations
Meetup groups, sports clubs, chambers of commerce, national associations and churches of many denominations; the Maltese calendar of festas, carnival and Christmas is open to everyone.
Common practical challenges
Bank account opening times, housing costs and lease practices, summer heat and winter damp in older buildings, traffic, and bureaucracy that mixes online services with in-person appointments. Planning for these makes the move smoother. We do not generalise about nationalities or communities.
Sources & Verification
Verified 1 October 2026 against the sources below- EU Institution
Eurostat — Population and demography (demo_pjan, demo_pjanind, demo_gind, demo_r_d3dens, migr_pop1ctz, demo_mlexpec, ilc_lvph01)
Eurostat — European Commission (data transmitted by NSO Malta)
Population on 1 January; population density; crude rates; citizenship; median age; life expectancy; household size
- Published
- 25 Sept 2026
- Effective
- —
- Last checked
- 01 Oct 2026
- Status
- Active
Reference: EUROSTAT-POPOfficial requirement - Official Authority
Identità — Identity, residence and passports agency
Identità (Government of Malta)
Identity Cards Unit; Expatriates Unit (residence documents for EU nationals and residence permits for third-country nationals); Passport Office
- Published
- —
- Effective
- —
- Last checked
- 01 Oct 2026
- Status
- Active
Reference: IDENTITAOfficial requirement - EU Institution
Eurostat — Society, education, health, digital and transport (isoc_ci_in_h, edat_lfse_03, educ_uoe_perp04, ilc_peps01n, isoc_sk_dskl_i21, road_eqs_carhab, hlth_rs_bds, reg_area3)
Eurostat — European Commission
Household internet access; tertiary attainment 30–34; pupil–teacher ratio; at-risk-of-poverty-or-social-exclusion; digital skills; passenger cars per 1,000; hospital beds; area
- Published
- 10 Sept 2026
- Effective
- —
- Last checked
- 01 Oct 2026
- Status
- Active
Reference: EUROSTAT-SOCIETYOfficial requirement
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Written by
Malta MPRP Guide Editorial Team
Research & editorial
The editorial team researches the Malta Permanent Residence Programme directly from the consolidated regulations (S.L. 217.26), the Legal Notices that amend them and the Residency Malta Agency's published material. Ever…
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Fact-check & source review
Responsible for reviewing published pages against the current text of S.L. 217.26 and the Agency's official pages, recording the verification date and flagging any page that needs an update after a legislative change. R…