Christine and Brian in Malta
From a traditional holiday choice to a chic Mediterranean getaway, the island of Malta is having a moment. For the first time ever, 3 million tourists visited in 2023 – an 8 per cent increase since 2019.
Christine Edwards knows its appeal only too well. After visiting the island for many holidays, she and he husband Brian, decided to move there in 2017. “I’m a sun lover and we loved the fact there are 300 days of sun, including blue skies in the winter,” says Christine, whose family connections also drew her there. “We have always been drawn by the dramatic coastline, the history and the high standard of living.”
The retired couple, now in their seventies and celebrating their Ruby wedding anniversary, bought a three-bedroom apartment in Mellieha, a large town on the island’s north coast with Malta’s longest beach. They enjoyed life there for four years, before deciding to return to the UK – to be around to offer family members support - and buy a smaller apartment (through Frank Salt Real Estate).
“We bought a two-bedroom apartment in St Paul’s Bay, which is not too far from Mellieha, where we have many friends we made,” she says. “It’s in a small block of apartments that is half Maltese and half British owners.”
Malta's cultural affinity with Britain fosters a sense of familiarity. English is widely spoken, the same left-hand side of the road driving, and Malta's historical ties with the British Empire create a shared heritage that resonates with many Brits.
The couple intend to divide their time between the UK and Malta, which she says is easy because of the fact there are plenty of flights from Gatwick to the island – the couple live in Birchington-on-Sea in Kent. Although property in Malta is not as affordable as some other southern European locations – you’ll pay around €250,000 for a one-bedroom apartment in St Paul’s Bay, she says that living in Malta tends to work out cheaper than the UK.
“Utilities and the cost to run a car tend to be lower. Food is a bit more expensive – especially imported goods – but wine is very cheap,” says Christine, who loves the great choice of restaurants in the north of the island.
From wineries to Michelin-starred restaurants (there are three) to the farm-to-table dining trend, to new hotels, Malta continues to evolve as a tourist destination. Cycling, sailing, diving and wellness retreats attract a younger demographic too. The island offers a choice of resident programmes to British nationals and other non-EU residents seeking a new home. Moreover, Malta's favourable tax regimes adds another layer of attraction for Brits eyeing the island as a potential residence, according to Frank Salt Real Estate.
A quarter of 'long term’ residents in Malta are foreign nationals. Britons like proximity to the sea – hence why places like Mellieha, Marsascala and the sister-island of Gozo are also very sought after, according to the estate agent. Both offer pristine beaches, vibrant waterfronts, and water sports.
Two of Malta’s residency two programmes are especially attractive to UK nationals: the Malta Permanent Residence Programme MPRP (which replaces the Malta Residence and Visa Programme) and the Global Residence Programme (GRP). The GRP is mainly a programme granting a special tax status which allows its beneficiary the right to apply for a residence card in Malta. The MPRP on the other hand is a permanent residence programme which provides the ability to apply for Maltese permanent residency on the basis of a contribution and an investment in property.
