[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":636},["Reactive",2],{"/checklist/moving-to-malta/":3},{"_path":4,"_dir":5,"_draft":6,"_partial":6,"_locale":7,"title":8,"description":9,"id":10,"date":11,"hidden":12,"listed":6,"robots":13,"readingTime":14,"body":19,"_type":631,"_id":632,"_source":633,"_file":634,"_extension":635},"/en/checklist/moving-to-malta","checklist",false,"","Your Moving to Malta Checklist","The full moving to Malta checklist for subscribers: visa route, apostilles, banking, residence card and utilities, from six months out to your first month.","checklist-moving-to-malta","2026-07-20",true,"noindex, follow",{"text":15,"minutes":16,"time":17,"words":18},"6 min read",5.745,344700,1149,{"type":20,"children":21,"toc":622},"root",[22,30,37,166,172,252,258,321,327,453,459,524,530,542,617],{"type":23,"tag":24,"props":25,"children":26},"element","p",{},[27],{"type":28,"value":29},"text","You made it, thanks for subscribing. I'm Vincent, I live in St Julian's and I've watched a lot of people make this move, so this is the checklist I wish everyone had before landing. Print it if you like (Cmd/Ctrl+P works fine on this page) and tick things off as you go. Each item links to the full guide on the site when you need the detail.",{"type":23,"tag":31,"props":32,"children":34},"h2",{"id":33},"_6-months-before",[35],{"type":28,"value":36},"6 months before",{"type":23,"tag":38,"props":39,"children":40},"ul",{},[41,70,88,98,108,126,136,146,156],{"type":23,"tag":42,"props":43,"children":44},"li",{},[45,51,53,60,62,68],{"type":23,"tag":46,"props":47,"children":48},"strong",{},[49],{"type":28,"value":50},"Confirm",{"type":28,"value":52}," your visa route. EU citizens just ",{"type":23,"tag":54,"props":55,"children":57},"a",{"href":56},"/residence/get-maltese-card/",[58],{"type":28,"value":59},"register their residence",{"type":28,"value":61}," once they're living here (the obligation kicks in beyond three months); non-EU citizens need a route sorted before flying, such as the Nomad Residence Permit (gross income of at least €42,000 a year from outside Malta) or a single permit via an employer. Americans, read the ",{"type":23,"tag":54,"props":63,"children":65},{"href":64},"/residence/moving-to-malta-from-usa/",[66],{"type":28,"value":67},"moving from the USA guide",{"type":28,"value":69}," first.",{"type":23,"tag":42,"props":71,"children":72},{},[73,78,80,86],{"type":23,"tag":46,"props":74,"children":75},{},[76],{"type":28,"value":77},"Research",{"type":28,"value":79}," neighbourhoods with ",{"type":23,"tag":54,"props":81,"children":83},{"href":82},"/housing/where-to-live/",[84],{"type":28,"value":85},"where to live in Malta",{"type":28,"value":87},": Sliema/St Julian's for the expat core, Gzira/Msida for value, central towns for space, Gozo for quiet.",{"type":23,"tag":42,"props":89,"children":90},{},[91,96],{"type":23,"tag":46,"props":92,"children":93},{},[94],{"type":28,"value":95},"Email",{"type":28,"value":97}," international schools now if you have children; the popular ones (roughly €4,000-12,000 a year) fill up fast, and Verdala in particular can carry a waitlist beyond a year.",{"type":23,"tag":42,"props":99,"children":100},{},[101,106],{"type":23,"tag":46,"props":102,"children":103},{},[104],{"type":28,"value":105},"Open",{"type":28,"value":107}," a Revolut or Wise account. You get a European IBAN immediately that handles salary, rent and direct debits while a Maltese bank grinds for weeks.",{"type":23,"tag":42,"props":109,"children":110},{},[111,116,118,124],{"type":23,"tag":46,"props":112,"children":113},{},[114],{"type":28,"value":115},"Budget",{"type":28,"value":117}," €3,000-5,000 up front for deposit, agency fee, furnishing and setup, on top of the monthly numbers in the ",{"type":23,"tag":54,"props":119,"children":121},{"href":120},"/everyday-life/cost-of-living-expat-guide-malta/",[122],{"type":28,"value":123},"cost of living guide",{"type":28,"value":125},".",{"type":23,"tag":42,"props":127,"children":128},{},[129,134],{"type":23,"tag":46,"props":130,"children":131},{},[132],{"type":28,"value":133},"Renew",{"type":28,"value":135}," your EHIC/GHIC card if you're from the EU; a replacement is free but can take weeks.",{"type":23,"tag":42,"props":137,"children":138},{},[139,144],{"type":23,"tag":46,"props":140,"children":141},{},[142],{"type":28,"value":143},"Stock up",{"type":28,"value":145}," on at least three months of prescription medication and get dental work done at home (a filling here runs €80-150, entirely private).",{"type":23,"tag":42,"props":147,"children":148},{},[149,154],{"type":23,"tag":46,"props":150,"children":151},{},[152],{"type":28,"value":153},"Request",{"type":28,"value":155}," a medical-history summary with generic drug names from your doctor.",{"type":23,"tag":42,"props":157,"children":158},{},[159,164],{"type":23,"tag":46,"props":160,"children":161},{},[162],{"type":28,"value":163},"Start",{"type":28,"value":165}," pet paperwork if applicable: microchip, rabies vaccination at least 21 days before travel, EU pet passport or the non-EU equivalent. Begin at least four months out.",{"type":23,"tag":31,"props":167,"children":169},{"id":168},"_3-months-before",[170],{"type":28,"value":171},"3 months before",{"type":23,"tag":38,"props":173,"children":174},{},[175,185,202,212,222,232,242],{"type":23,"tag":42,"props":176,"children":177},{},[178,183],{"type":23,"tag":46,"props":179,"children":180},{},[181],{"type":28,"value":182},"Hunt",{"type":28,"value":184}," for an apartment remotely via Facebook groups (owners direct, no fee) or agencies like Quicklets and Dhalia (half a month to a month's rent). Always get a live video walkthrough, check the street on Street View, and confirm the bedrooms have modern, working AC.",{"type":23,"tag":42,"props":186,"children":187},{},[188,193,195,201],{"type":23,"tag":46,"props":189,"children":190},{},[191],{"type":28,"value":192},"Sign",{"type":28,"value":194}," nothing without a written contract registered with the Housing Authority; an unregistered lease leaves you with essentially no rights. Details in the ",{"type":23,"tag":54,"props":196,"children":198},{"href":197},"/housing/renting-in-malta-complete-guide/",[199],{"type":28,"value":200},"renting guide",{"type":28,"value":125},{"type":23,"tag":42,"props":203,"children":204},{},[205,210],{"type":23,"tag":46,"props":206,"children":207},{},[208],{"type":28,"value":209},"Apostille",{"type":28,"value":211}," your birth certificate (and marriage certificate if relevant) in your home country now. It costs about €10-30 and takes days at home; done from Malta it takes weeks and ruins timelines.",{"type":23,"tag":42,"props":213,"children":214},{},[215,220],{"type":23,"tag":46,"props":216,"children":217},{},[218],{"type":28,"value":219},"Check",{"type":28,"value":221}," your passport is valid at least six months beyond arrival; renew if it's close.",{"type":23,"tag":42,"props":223,"children":224},{},[225,230],{"type":23,"tag":46,"props":226,"children":227},{},[228],{"type":28,"value":229},"Decide",{"type":28,"value":231}," what to ship: if you can buy it in Malta at a reasonable price, don't ship it. A full container from mainland Europe runs €1,500-3,000, courier boxes €100-300 each.",{"type":23,"tag":42,"props":233,"children":234},{},[235,240],{"type":23,"tag":46,"props":236,"children":237},{},[238],{"type":28,"value":239},"Remember",{"type":28,"value":241}," Malta uses UK-style Type G plugs at 230V. Buy new chargers here for a couple of euros; 120V appliances with motors or heating elements won't run properly even with an adapter.",{"type":23,"tag":42,"props":243,"children":244},{},[245,250],{"type":23,"tag":46,"props":246,"children":247},{},[248],{"type":28,"value":249},"Get",{"type":28,"value":251}," an International Driving Permit if you're from outside the EU.",{"type":23,"tag":31,"props":253,"children":255},{"id":254},"_1-month-before",[256],{"type":28,"value":257},"1 month before",{"type":23,"tag":38,"props":259,"children":260},{},[261,271,281,291,301,311],{"type":23,"tag":42,"props":262,"children":263},{},[264,269],{"type":23,"tag":46,"props":265,"children":266},{},[267],{"type":28,"value":268},"Tell",{"type":28,"value":270}," your bank you're moving abroad, or their fraud system freezes your card on your first Maltese transaction.",{"type":23,"tag":42,"props":272,"children":273},{},[274,279],{"type":23,"tag":46,"props":275,"children":276},{},[277],{"type":28,"value":278},"Notify",{"type":28,"value":280}," your pension provider and cancel or adjust home and car insurance.",{"type":23,"tag":42,"props":282,"children":283},{},[284,289],{"type":23,"tag":46,"props":285,"children":286},{},[287],{"type":28,"value":288},"Cancel",{"type":28,"value":290}," subscriptions that won't travel, and set up mail redirection for final bills.",{"type":23,"tag":42,"props":292,"children":293},{},[294,299],{"type":23,"tag":46,"props":295,"children":296},{},[297],{"type":28,"value":298},"Keep",{"type":28,"value":300}," your home phone number active; you'll need it for two-factor authentication until your Maltese number is live.",{"type":23,"tag":42,"props":302,"children":303},{},[304,309],{"type":23,"tag":46,"props":305,"children":306},{},[307],{"type":28,"value":308},"Pack",{"type":28,"value":310}," mostly summer clothes plus warm layers and a real rain jacket for the December-to-February damp, sunscreen (pricey locally), your usual over-the-counter medicines, and all important documents in your hand luggage, never the hold.",{"type":23,"tag":42,"props":312,"children":313},{},[314,319],{"type":23,"tag":46,"props":315,"children":316},{},[317],{"type":28,"value":318},"Download",{"type":28,"value":320}," the day-one apps: Tallinja (buses), Bolt (Malta has Bolt, not Uber), Wolt, and Revolut or Wise.",{"type":23,"tag":31,"props":322,"children":324},{"id":323},"first-week-in-malta",[325],{"type":28,"value":326},"First week in Malta",{"type":23,"tag":38,"props":328,"children":329},{},[330,347,367,383,400,416,426,436],{"type":23,"tag":42,"props":331,"children":332},{},[333,338,340,346],{"type":23,"tag":46,"props":334,"children":335},{},[336],{"type":28,"value":337},"Buy",{"type":28,"value":339}," a prepaid SIM from GO, Epic or Melita with just your passport; plans start around €10-15 a month. Comparison in the ",{"type":23,"tag":54,"props":341,"children":343},{"href":342},"/everyday-life/telephone-internet-providers/",[344],{"type":28,"value":345},"telecom guide",{"type":28,"value":125},{"type":23,"tag":42,"props":348,"children":349},{},[350,355,357,365],{"type":23,"tag":46,"props":351,"children":352},{},[353],{"type":28,"value":354},"Register",{"type":28,"value":356}," for your tax number and social security with the ",{"type":23,"tag":54,"props":358,"children":362},{"href":359,"rel":360},"https://mtca.gov.mt/",[361],"nofollow",[363],{"type":28,"value":364},"MTCA",{"type":28,"value":366},"; bring passport, residence documentation and proof of employment or self-employment.",{"type":23,"tag":42,"props":368,"children":369},{},[370,374,376,382],{"type":23,"tag":46,"props":371,"children":372},{},[373],{"type":28,"value":354},{"type":28,"value":375}," with a GP: the public system via your local health centre, and a private GP (about €15-30 a visit) for quick everyday appointments. See the ",{"type":23,"tag":54,"props":377,"children":379},{"href":378},"/everyday-life/healthcare-malta-expats-guide/",[380],{"type":28,"value":381},"healthcare guide",{"type":28,"value":125},{"type":23,"tag":42,"props":384,"children":385},{},[386,390,392,398],{"type":23,"tag":46,"props":387,"children":388},{},[389],{"type":28,"value":163},{"type":28,"value":391}," the Maltese bank account (Bank of Valletta or HSBC) knowing it typically takes four to eight weeks; live off Revolut or Wise meanwhile, as the ",{"type":23,"tag":54,"props":393,"children":395},{"href":394},"/everyday-life/personal-banking-account/",[396],{"type":28,"value":397},"personal banking guide",{"type":28,"value":399}," explains.",{"type":23,"tag":42,"props":401,"children":402},{},[403,408,410,415],{"type":23,"tag":46,"props":404,"children":405},{},[406],{"type":28,"value":407},"Book",{"type":28,"value":409}," your Identità appointment online for the residence card: the EU eResidence document follows within a few weeks of your biometrics, while non-EU routes take two to three months. Step-by-step in the ",{"type":23,"tag":54,"props":411,"children":412},{"href":56},[413],{"type":28,"value":414},"residence card guide",{"type":28,"value":125},{"type":23,"tag":42,"props":417,"children":418},{},[419,424],{"type":23,"tag":46,"props":420,"children":421},{},[422],{"type":28,"value":423},"Set up",{"type":28,"value":425}," electricity (Enemalta) and water (ARMS) in your name, or confirm they're included in your lease. 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The full picture is in the ",{"type":23,"tag":54,"props":536,"children":538},{"href":537},"/business/corporate-tax/",[539],{"type":28,"value":540},"corporate tax guide",{"type":28,"value":125},{"type":23,"tag":38,"props":543,"children":544},{},[545,555,564,580,590,607],{"type":23,"tag":42,"props":546,"children":547},{},[548,553],{"type":23,"tag":46,"props":549,"children":550},{},[551],{"type":28,"value":552},"Understand",{"type":28,"value":554}," the tax mechanics before committing: 35% headline rate, roughly 5% effective on trading income after the 6/7ths shareholder refund, or an optional flat 15% election since 2025.",{"type":23,"tag":42,"props":556,"children":557},{},[558,562],{"type":23,"tag":46,"props":559,"children":560},{},[561],{"type":28,"value":115},{"type":28,"value":563}," the minimum share capital for a private limited company: €1,164.69 with 20% paid up.",{"type":23,"tag":42,"props":565,"children":566},{},[567,571,573,579],{"type":23,"tag":46,"props":568,"children":569},{},[570],{"type":28,"value":105},{"type":28,"value":572}," an EMI business account (Wamo, Revolut Business or Wise) rather than waiting on a traditional bank; EMIs are live in days while banks take weeks to months, and HSBC Malta isn't taking new business accounts at all. See the ",{"type":23,"tag":54,"props":574,"children":576},{"href":575},"/business/business-account-emi/",[577],{"type":28,"value":578},"business account guide",{"type":28,"value":125},{"type":23,"tag":42,"props":581,"children":582},{},[583,588],{"type":23,"tag":46,"props":584,"children":585},{},[586],{"type":28,"value":587},"Add",{"type":28,"value":589}," a second EMI as backup; if your only account freezes for a compliance check, your whole business freezes with it.",{"type":23,"tag":42,"props":591,"children":592},{},[593,598,600,606],{"type":23,"tag":46,"props":594,"children":595},{},[596],{"type":28,"value":597},"Hire",{"type":28,"value":599}," an accountant for year-end even if you run the books yourself; my own setup is in the ",{"type":23,"tag":54,"props":601,"children":603},{"href":602},"/business/company-accounting/",[604],{"type":28,"value":605},"company accounting guide",{"type":28,"value":125},{"type":23,"tag":42,"props":608,"children":609},{},[610,615],{"type":23,"tag":46,"props":611,"children":612},{},[613],{"type":28,"value":614},"Diarise",{"type":28,"value":616}," the statutory deadlines: Annual Return to the Malta Business Registry within 42 days of your company's anniversary (late penalties can top €2,300) and the tax return generally nine months after year-end.",{"type":23,"tag":24,"props":618,"children":619},{},[620],{"type":28,"value":621},"That's the whole move. Prices and rules change, and when they do I send the updates by email, so you don't need to re-check this page. And if anything is unclear or your situation is unusual, just reply to any of my emails, I read them all.",{"title":7,"searchDepth":623,"depth":623,"links":624},2,[625,626,627,628,629,630],{"id":33,"depth":623,"text":36},{"id":168,"depth":623,"text":171},{"id":254,"depth":623,"text":257},{"id":323,"depth":623,"text":326},{"id":455,"depth":623,"text":458},{"id":526,"depth":623,"text":529},"markdown","content:en:checklist:moving-to-malta.md","content","en/checklist/moving-to-malta.md","md",1784751313940]