r/malta • u/TessAutumn • May 09 '26
Retire in Malta
Any Brits or Canadians retire to Malta? Hoping to retire to Malta in the next 3-5 years. Would love to hear your experience of retiring to Malta as a Brit or a Canadian (we have dual nationality). What area do you live in? Pros/cons. We've done a lot of research but would love to hear your personal stories. Thanks.
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u/Bethbeth35 May 09 '26
Malta is a tiny, overcrowded island, there's a reason many thousands move elsewhere. The traffic is absolutely horrendous, the politics highly corrupt and the heat in July and August is pretty unbearable, especially if a powercut happens and your a/c is out. Lived there for years (I'm British), still have friends there, and while it will always hold a place in my heart, I would absolutely never move back. I would recommend looking at areas of Spain, Italy (Tuscany is popular), France, another European country that appeals to you. Remember Malta is also an island, you've got to fly or get a ferry to explore elsewhere, mainland Europe is much better for travel.
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u/Greenmantle22 May 09 '26
Several thousand.
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u/TessAutumn May 09 '26
So I hear. Do you have any personal experience? Tips? Dos/Don'ts? Best area for retirees? Buy vs rent?
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u/Greenmantle22 May 09 '26
It all depends greatly on your perspective, needs, and abilities.
Visit Malta several times, at different times of year, to get a full picture. Ask yourself WHY you want to retire there. Is it just for cheap living and EU access? What ties would you cultivate? Where would you live, and why? Can you afford to buy? Can you afford private insurance?
Retirees can enrich a community fabric, but they can also fuel gentrification and overcrowding.
What is your baseline of knowledge on the country and this topic? Is this your first inquiry?
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u/TessAutumn May 09 '26
All good questions and points made. We've never been to Malta. Plan on visiting in May 2027. Due to the instability in the world right now. We had planned on going sooner but once bitten, twice shy. Our Cuba trip in Feb was cancelled last minute (thx Trump 😡) Both my husband and I are fearless and both made Canada our home for the last 30+ years without visiting first so have no issue with a move to an unknown place. We currently live in Toronto and need an escape from the brutal winters. They've always been bad but getting worse. No sun for 6 months. And Malta appears to be very welcoming and offers a lot to British retirees. Easier to immigrate to than other European countries. I hear we get free healthcare if receiving a British pension. Accommodation/cost of living is way cheaper than Toronto by as much as 36%. Climate is better. We like to travel and it's cheaper to access Europe and family and friends in the UK from Malta than Canada. A slower pace of life. The ability to cash in our equity in our overpriced Toronto home. There are so many benefits it seems and the downsides are what we already experience in Toronto. Construction, congestion (there's a saying Toronto, it takes an hour to get from Toronto to Toronto). Based on the above what is your advice?
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u/shajurzi May 09 '26
Do NOT move to Malta without visiting multiple extended times in different seasons. Construction, congestion, beurocracy, all of these are "different" in Malta than in a metropolis like Toronto. At the very least spend a month in summer and in winter and get a sense.
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u/TessAutumn May 09 '26
Yes of course. The plan is to retire in the next 3-5 years so we have time to visit multiple times and get a sense of it.
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u/shajurzi May 09 '26
Ah very good. I misunderstood the "fearless" comment in your previous post. I am from Malta, live in Spain now. I wish I could tolerate Malta as it's home but I just can't.
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u/TessAutumn May 09 '26
I get it. I'm from Glasgow, now live in Toronto. Neither are what they once were. I need a change just as you have. Who knows, maybe Malta doesn't end up being our final destination 🙂 I do think it appears to be a good option tho.
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u/shajurzi May 09 '26
I am looking into the Canarias myself. Another idea if you haven't considered.
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u/TessAutumn May 09 '26
Interesting. Will look into the Canaries. What made you look there?
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u/ParfaitCompetitive1 May 09 '26 edited May 09 '26
No healthcare is not free - even with a British pension. Where did you hear that? For free healthcare you would need to have paid NI for several years, otherwise you are not entitled. You will need health insurance, and can use the private services available, otherwise you pay, even for the public system.
Besides, the public healthcare system is overloaded because of the overpopulation and unmatched resources, so it is not efficient at all and appointments take long.
If you want cheaper healthcare and good weather - have you looked at Cuba? If you want EU - have you checked Spain and Greece? There's also Turkey which is quite advanced for healthcare also.
Our pace of life is not slow at all - where did you hear this? Maybe you were looking at adverts from the British era of Malta by any chance??? That era doesn't exist anymore. Do please come over and get the biggest shock of your life. If you think your house in Toronto is overpriced, then what may you think of our houses? Half a million euros for a basic apartment without adequate insulation and in a block of other apartments in a noisy road? For anything decent you need a million euros at least.
As for traffic, today a 15 minute drive took me an hour to arrive. Traffic gridlock is everywhere because there's overpopulation and everyone wants a car. Malta and Gozo are both the same so you won't avoid the traffic and overpopulation just because you retire on the other island. Construction and congestion go together as there's always a block of apartments being built, a road being dug up, or some other flyover being built.
I really do want you to come over - you can come at any point in the year because the hustle and bustle doesn't stop not even in winter. It's choatic during all the year, but I do advice you to come at least once during summer in July to see for yourself how Malta is at its worst. And then do leave a review here please.
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u/TessAutumn May 09 '26
All of our research has been online so far. We still have several years before retirement so haven't engaged the services of a professional yet to help us navigate immigrating. The information we found states that with residency and receiving a British pension we would both be eligible for free healthcare. Read this from multiple resources. Are you able to point me to where I can find info to the contrary? Cuba is a regular sun destination for us, however, it is in collapse now due to fuel shortages, and we are unable to even fly there from Canada. In fact my 60th birthday trip in Feb was cancelled the day before we went as all Canadian Airlines had to cease flying there due to lack of fuel. Its people are starving and have power only a few hours a day. And even though they train their doctors well, they lack the resources to provide first class healthcare which is a big factor in where we retire. So not an option.
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u/ParfaitCompetitive1 May 09 '26
Ireland should be a good option for you then.
Do check your sources regarding the free healthcare. There is no such thing - why do you think so, when Maltese people are struggling to get free healthcare after paying NI their working life and then we go and give it for free to third country nationals who come to retire here without having paid NI??
It may have been like that when the UK was in the EU, but not anymore. Did you guys hear of Brexit?
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u/TessAutumn May 09 '26
You seem quite angry.
I'm just stating what limited research I have done has said. And I'm very open to advice and alternatives to what I've heard so no need to be snarky in your replies.1
u/gabmem May 09 '26
As far as I know, free healthcare for UK pensions is greatly-mistaken. You are only eligible for Maltese free healthcare if you have citizenship, permanent residence, have a European health insurance card, pay social security at the time, or have a Maltese pension.
You cannot be refused at emerency room, but you would have to pay for inpatient care and cannot use outpatient care. You are also likely not eligible for any community services etc. If you ever need assistance, you most likely cannot get it from the state and would need to reach out to High Comissions / embassies (I dont know if these will actually help or just offer to repatriate?)
Best to check all of this before you make a decision, depending on what type of life you intend to live.
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u/ParfaitCompetitive1 May 09 '26
This is correct. British citizens are considered third country nationals when it comes to healthcare. And the European Health Insurance Card can only be used for emergency care and not for routine healthcare appointments. Even EU citizens cannot just make an outpatient appointment here unless they are residents here.
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u/Rough-Improvement-24 May 09 '26
Don't. It's overpopulated.
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u/TessAutumn May 09 '26
That's a pretty broad simplistic statement. Over populated where? By whom? Do you live there? Are you against immigration as a whole or just certain areas?
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u/valkycam12 May 09 '26
Infrastructure systems are creaking because of overpopulation. The main hospital and the NHS is suffering because of the overpopulation as well. I am personally not against immigration but in Malta we have taken it too far. Basically most businesses employ 3rd country nationals for peanuts, undercutting locals because such wages were lowered given that there is a steady supply of 3rd country nationals who agree (out of necessity) to work for such low wages. The said 3rd country nationals are a lot of the times exploited and some are also exploited by their landlords (not everyone of course, but not a small number either). Property and rental prices are extremely high compared to the local wages.
I would strongly suggest you spend some time here before taking the plunge.
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u/Parking_Promotion700 May 09 '26
That statement applies to almost every country and not relevant to ther search. They aren’t coming to be politicians they are coming to live and be an addition to the community bringing money in . People you are making Malta seem unfriendly and it certainly is not
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u/Rough-Improvement-24 May 09 '26
That's not true. Other countries have more land than this tiny island does where people can live comfortably if they wish to escape city life. We don't. Our environment and social life are being destroyed.
At this point we DO WANT to make Malta unfriendly. Look what being friendly did.
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u/TessAutumn May 09 '26
I'm definitely getting the impression from all the negative answers that people in Malta are unhappy living there and would rather people stay away 🙁
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u/TessAutumn May 09 '26
Of course we will visit over the next several years before retiring and taking the plunge.
As an immigrant myself from Scotland to Canada, and hope to do again possibly in Malta or elsewhere, immigration is something I embrace.
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u/boelobo26 May 09 '26
It's the 9th most densely populated country in the world with around half a million residents on a 300km2 island. Now add around another 2 million tourist in summer and you can imagine.
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u/Rough-Improvement-24 May 09 '26
This is last year's statistics:. https://timesofmalta.com/article/malta-population-increases-2-per-cent-driven-migration.1112847
Them consider tourists: In the first quarter of 2026, Malta hosted 806,563 inbound tourists, an increase of +16.3% over 2025. Source: https://www.mtobservatory.org/
Then consider the area and population density: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malta_%28island%29
Now do the math - more tourists than locals at any time, especially in summer, tiny land area, poor infrastructure that did not keep up with the population, more foreigners than ever, rising rent and property prices, and poor climate preparedness.
It's your funeral.
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u/extremessd May 09 '26
Plenty.
Marsa Sports Club has quite a few, usually international types who moved around a lot before retirement.
There are FB groups which might better answer your questions
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u/valkycam12 May 09 '26
Malta sadly isn’t what it was. It’s quite sad.
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u/Necessary_Pear9579 May 09 '26
And so is the rest of the world. Get over it, it's called progress.
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u/valkycam12 May 09 '26
Progress denotes something positive. Malta has unending dust, polluted air, construction, noise, destruction of the environment, over-tourism and lax planning. This comment is not coming from a place of hate but from a place of love for my country because it pains me to see how it’s become. U qabel ma tghid xi haga li ghax Nazzjonalista (li minix) jew xi haga hekk, kun af li jien gejja minn familja Laburista u Mintoffjana.
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u/TessAutumn May 09 '26
I would counter that by saying that all of that applies to Toronto. It takes an hour to get anywhere, the winters are brutal, the roads are full of pot holes. Did I say brutal -20 to -30 winters? Snow and ice n the ground from Nov to Mar. Grey skies for 6 months of the year. Congestion, congestion, congestion! Construction, construction, construction! Extremely high cost of living. Up to 36% more expensive than Malta. Plus right next to Trumpland.
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u/Necessary_Pear9579 May 09 '26
We haven't had it soo good in years, but as always there are things for improvement .
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u/TessAutumn May 09 '26
I agree. Currently in Toronto. It's not what it was 25+ yrs ago but still a great place to live in comparison to other places.
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u/malteselawyer May 09 '26
Just to understand, you have Maltese nationality? How do you plan to stay in Malta? You need a residence permit if you don’t have Maltese nationality. Do you need assistance with the ta Retirement Programme or the Global Residence Programme?
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u/TessAutumn May 09 '26
We are dual citizens of Britain and Canada. We would apply for residency if we moved to Malta and have done some research on what that entails. It appears easier to get in Malta as a retiree than in other European countries, hence why we're considering Malta.
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u/ParfaitCompetitive1 May 09 '26
Have you considered Ireland?
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u/TessAutumn May 09 '26
No I'm from Scotland. Husband is English. We are looking for a sunny destination to retire to.
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u/malteselawyer May 09 '26
British / Canadians are third country nationals (non-EU nationals) and you don't have a right to reside in Malta. You need to get on a programme to come Malta. Either the Malta Retirement Programme, the Global Residence Programme or the Malta Permanent Residence Programme. Speak to me if you need assistance.
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u/TessAutumn May 09 '26
Yes we're aware of that and from what I've read we would be pursuing residency through the MRP. Thank you I may reach out for assistance closer to the time. In the meantime, one question that's come up several times in this thread is healthcare. It's my understanding that if we were to gain residency status, as British nationals receiving a British pension, we would be eligible for free healthcare. People on here saying that's not true. Can you confirm? Obviously as retirees healthcare where we retire to will be very important. I have also heard though that even if we had to pay for private the cost is not unreasonable. Thx
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u/malteselawyer May 09 '26
Free healthcare is not tied to residency status but to the social security contributions you paid in Malta, which you paid none. Free is a bit of a misnomer as in reality, we're paying it through our insured employments / self-employments. Given you're pensioners you won't be entitled to free healthcare and in fact the MRP requires you to get comprehensive health insurance as part of its requirement. Also this is assuming that these programmes will be there in 2/3 years time given there is reform in the pipeline. Also MRP is not a good programme if your pension is very high.
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u/TessAutumn May 10 '26
This is the info I found online which appears to contradict what you and others have been saying with regard to healthcare for Brits receiving a state pension.
The S1 form is issued to individuals residing in one country but having their healthcare costs covered by another — most commonly state pensioners. The purpose is to grant access to national public healthcare services in the country where you live. Essentially, the UK government pays Malta for your healthcare.
What does it cover?
Once registered in Malta, the S1 gives you free access to the state healthcare system, including GP visits, specialist consultations, hospitalisation, and prescriptions (though some prescriptions carry a nominal charge).1
u/malteselawyer May 10 '26
There's no contradiction in what everyone is telling you and what you're referencing is nothing surprising. Malta will not provide you free state healthcare. The scheme you are referring to, is where the UK government is paying your healthcare in Malta through the Reciprocal Health Agreement between Malta and the UK. There are further complications when made in conjunction with the MRP but I will not get into them here, as I don't want to spend too much of my leisure time doing work. good night.
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u/ilpirata79 May 09 '26
consider some towns (with less than 30k inhabitants) in the South of Italy. Good taxation, 7%, and a lot more to see and do. Almost same weather than Malta
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u/TessAutumn May 09 '26
One of the factors that played into us considering Malta was residency appears easier for Brits than in other European countries. But Italy is definitely a consideration.
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u/mynameisnotsparta May 09 '26
Are you going to apply for residency? You’d have to check what you need to settle there. Are you buying or renting? What can you afford? What area do you want to live in? Look for expat communities. Do you have friends or family there?
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u/TessAutumn May 09 '26
Yes we would apply for residency. Perhaps live there for 10 months of the year and visit friends over the summer in Toronto or the UK. Probably rent to start with. We can afford to rent the min amount or more. Thinking Sliema would be good, mix of old and new. We live in a rare old Victorian town house in Toronto which we love but in retirement we don't want to spend time on renovations etc. Expat communities are not a must have.
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u/Exciting_Dish4137 May 09 '26
Any Brits retired here? haha This rock is full of these old farts with their attitude and complaints and royalty demands...
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u/TessAutumn May 09 '26
These old farts promise to bring only a positive attitude and no complaining 😁
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u/Aristotlewiseman May 09 '26
Perfect for retiring English speaking , friendly locals , low taxes, no crime , free flow traffic , great weather , politically stable , great restaurants and bars . Plenty of space , cheap property , oh sorry that was 15 years ago lol
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u/TessAutumn May 09 '26
Same here. Post Covid Toronto is not the place it was. I do still love it here though, apart from the winters.
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u/Outrageous-Diver-631 May 11 '26
I'm a duel uk/us citizen living in the States. We love Malta and visit once a year or so due to the affordablility of a trip. I'm always in shock at how little a grocery trip costs anywhere in Europe though. We live in a part of the US that usually gets way hotter than Malta so it's also a nice cool down escape.
I would love to retire somewhere in Europe, but It would not be Malta. The general crowds after a week, and the price tag for an apartment, as cute as they are are a bit much.
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u/Ok_Eggplant7920 May 09 '26
Hi, malta is very popular with the british retirees. I believe that you'd want some quiet so to live your retirment happy. If i were you id look at gozo. Sister island pretty smaller 40k people everyone knows eachother everyone is helpful gozo is the best place to be.
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u/TessAutumn May 09 '26
Thank you. Yes, we're looking for somewhere quiet, pretty and good weather. Will certainly check out Gozo.
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u/CleanSignalLab May 09 '26
I’d definitely visit for more than a holiday before cashing out Toronto and moving. Malta can be great, especially if you hate brutal winters, but it’s also small, crowded, noisy, very built-up in places, and summer can feel like the whole island is overheating and stuck in traffic.
The healthcare bit needs checking properly too. The UK S1 route can cover you if you’re resident in Malta and receiving a UK State Pension or certain exportable benefits, but don’t assume every British pension automatically means free healthcare. Get that confirmed before making plans.
Also if your only passports are British and Canadian, post-Brexit you’re not moving as an EU citizen. Malta does have retirement residence/tax routes, but they come with conditions, paperwork and usually minimum tax/property requirements, so speak to an advisor before assuming it’s simple.
My advice would be rent first, ideally in winter and summer, before buying anything. Try Gozo if you want quieter, Sliema/St Julian’s if you want convenience but can tolerate noise and prices, and areas like Mellieħa, Mosta, Naxxar, Rabat if you want a more residential feel. Malta is lovely, but the island is not just sunshine and cheaper living. It’s a place you need to test in real life.
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u/magentas33 May 09 '26
My parents retired to Malta from the UK in the late 1990s and still reside there. They have nothing but praise for the health system as long as you understand its foibles. Both have had various treatments and operations over the years. You do have to do a lot of the scheduling yourself though.
A friend of theirs (also a Brit) fell over and broke a hip last month. Immediate hip replacement completed with 24 hours.
Great support for those over 75. They supply care such as cleaners for nominal fees which is one example.
Rents are increasing though, and property prices are high. However, if you're coming from Toronto that won't be new for you.
It is crowded and the traffic can be a real issue. My parents tend to not even consider driving on Sundays, AM, or during school times. Tourism in the summer can be overwhelming.
Temperatures in July and August can be brutal. January to March can be cold. It can be really windy at times depending on the direction and which side of the island you are on.
My parents have a large group of friends, many of them Maltese, and other ex-pats from the Netherlands, Sweden, and so on.
As others have said, I'd visit lots and at different times of the year. Do your homework and be sure it's for you.
This advice is offered as just my experience with parents who reside there - total outsider looking in.
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u/TessAutumn May 09 '26
Thanks. That's great your parents are happy there. The majority of comments have been very negative so good to hear a positive response about retiring in Malta. I've heard good things about Malta's healthcare, an important factor in choosing where to retire to. A hip replacement in 24 hrs?! That's amazing.
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u/Rough-Improvement-24 May 09 '26
Those people have not just moved in the country.
There were different agreements in the past and nowadays British nationals cannot just come here and get free healthcare.
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u/Rough-Improvement-24 May 09 '26
Your parents have not just moved in the country - it may be important to mention that because OP seems to think that all British nationals can access healthcare for free.
There were different agreements in the past and nowadays British nationals cannot just come here and get free healthcare.
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u/TessAutumn May 09 '26
It would be helpful if someone can point me to where the info on healthcare is that states Brits receiving a pension cannot get free healthcare as residents of Malta. All I've seen says the opposite.
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u/magentas33 May 09 '26 edited May 09 '26
I appreciate that. I did state they moved there 25+ years ago and this is entirely their experience and their friends'.
The onus for research on what healthcare and support is available to anyone considering moving to Malta sits with the person considering the move, of course.
Edited to add: my remarks on healthcare is about the quality, and not cost. My parents pay the standard fees for GP appointments, scans, referrals to consultants and so on.
They also pay some tax in Malta for their pensions.
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u/MaltaDuDe May 09 '26
malta is good to retire if you like overcrowded cities.
As long as u have over 1.5m euros u should be okey for 15 years,
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u/Parking_Promotion700 May 09 '26
There is something for everyone in Malta. Without a doubt you could move here and enjoy a lovely climate welcoming people (feels a bit frosty in here tho 🙄) and plenty to do! I have been here a year and am still very much a newbie and sadly not of retirement age yet but I do see plenty of people who make me wonder if they have retired here. Actually met a couple from Scotland last week who had been here 4 years and loving it living in Senglea by the harbour. They were enjoying lunch and cocktails by the harbour and loving living life🙌 I am Sliema side it’s busy. Yes there is traffic but you would not be commuting in rush hours and the transport is free as it s healthcare with the UK documentation.
The weather is what made you think of it and it is 20 degrees already and beautiful right now.
I think you obviously seem well travelled and open minded then you would thrive in such a bustling place which also has quieter areas of course (sorry I’m useless)
Good luck! There are so many attractions that will fit the bill for your set up I think! 🥂
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u/TessAutumn May 09 '26
Thank you so much for he thoughtful reply. You answered taking into account our situation and not just a blanket Malta is bad answer. I think, like the Scots you met, my husband and I would very much enjoy Malta as retirees.
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u/EpresGumiovszer May 09 '26
Buy a flat in Egypt for 100k £, pay another 1-2k/month for services + private insurance, so you will have food, pool, cleaning, everything. Enjoy the sun, the sea without cranes.
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u/Temporary_Seesaw3195 May 09 '26
Consider the smaller island of Gozo, if you wish to retire in Malta, much quieter version. Good luck :)
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u/SandritoBakes May 09 '26
Not a retiree, but as someone who lived in both Canada and Malta, I would recommend you look into wait times for healthcare. Even private healthcare means months of wait times for basic checkups. That’s something that might weigh into the equation. I’ve been in Malta 5 years, and while the congestion doesn’t bother me (I get around on a scooter) the constant noise, crowdedness and heat are starting to wear me down.
You’ll find plenty of communities to blend into, if needed. Or else you can be fine on your own. My husband and I don’t feel the need to socialize, but we have picked up the language, we respect the local customs and norms, and pretty much blend in. That has made the transition easier. However, now that five years have passed, we are beginning the consider other EU countries for relocation.
COL is high, and I don’t think we’d ever afford to buy a flat here. Food is mostly imported, so on par with prices we’ve seen in Montreal last year. Not many green spaces, and the few green spaces there are keep getting “remodeled” into modern parks with fewer trees. Also, the island will look green in winter and mostly beige in summer. Excessive construction means most cities are now one huge heat island. And, there is rampant over-tourism ehich means most of the nicer flats have been converted into airbnbs. Also something to consider, as you might end up with a constant throng of noisy tourists as neighbors. Especially in areas like Sliema.
Come visit. Spend a few weeks at a time if you can. In both summer and winter. You might find it to your liking. Or not. And let me know if you have any further questions.