Gozo · Island · General information
Gozo
Also: Għawdex
The quieter sister island: farmhouses, sea-view apartments, a slower pace and its own hospital, schools and capital, Victoria. Reached by a 25-minute ferry from Ċirkewwa or the fast ferry to Valletta.
Gozo is greener, hillier and more rural than Malta. Victoria (Rabat) sits at its centre beneath the Cittadella; villages such as Xagħra, Nadur, Għajnsielem and Munxar surround it, and the coast runs from the red sand of Ramla Bay to Xlendi and Dwejra.
Living in Gozo
Gozo has its own general hospital, state and church schools, a University of Malta campus and a full bus network. Many residents commute to Malta by ferry; the Gozo Channel crossing takes about 25 minutes and Gozo residents pay subsidised fares.
Property
Gozo is known for converted farmhouses with pools, village houses and apartments with sea or country views. For the MPRP, the same purchase and rental thresholds apply in Gozo as in Malta.
- Character
- Rural, slower and close-knit; busy in summer and at festa time.
- Lifestyle
- Rural and coastal; diving, walking, quiet villages; busy in summer.
- Schools & education
- State primary schools in villages, secondary schools, a sixth form, MCAST Gozo campus and a University of Malta Gozo campus.
- Healthcare
- Gozo General Hospital in Victoria; health centre; pharmacies in most villages.
- Transport
- Gozo Channel ferry Ċirkewwa–Mġarr (approx. 25 min); fast ferry Mġarr–Valletta; island bus network from Victoria.
- Beaches & coast
- Ramla Bay, San Blas, Xlendi, Marsalforn, Ħondoq ir-Rummien, Dwejra and Wied il-Għasri.
- Property market (general information)
- Farmhouses, village houses and apartments; generally lower prices than the Maltese harbour area.
- Cost of living
- Housing is typically cheaper than central Malta; ferry costs apply for commuters.
- MPRP relevance
- Gozo property qualifies for the MPRP at the same thresholds as Malta.
Frequently asked questions
Can I live in Gozo and work in Malta?
Many people do. The Gozo Channel ferry takes about 25 minutes and Gozo residents pay subsidised fares; the fast ferry reaches Valletta directly for foot passengers. Allow for the drive to Ċirkewwa and onward travel. See the Gozo guide.
Sources & Verification
Verified 1 October 2026 against the sources below- Transport Authority
Gozo Channel Co. Ltd — Ferry fares and schedule
Gozo Channel Co. Ltd (Ċirkewwa–Mġarr ferry operator)
Passenger, car and driver, resident and senior fares; crossing time approx. 25 minutes
- Published
- —
- Effective
- —
- Last checked
- 01 Oct 2026
- Status
- Active
Reference: GOZO-CHANNELGeneral information - 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-POPGeneral information