Background
Malta is actually an archipelago in the Southern Mediterranean, with the islands of Malta , Gozo and Comino being inhabited.
The population of Malta is around 400,000 people. It is the smallest EU member state, but also the most urbanised.
Malta was a former British possession and received independence in 1964.
The currency of Malta is
the Maltese lira (often called the Maltese pound) although the country has plans to adopt the Euro in 2008.
Both Maltese and English are both official languages in Malta.
The telephone country code is +356. The emergency number is 112 for all services.
Climate
Malta has a typical Mediterranean climate, not unlike that of southern Italy and southern Greece. Winters are generally mild and summers hot, dry and sunny.
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Living There
UK nationals have the right to live and work in Malta without a work permit and with the same rights as Maltese nationals - as is the case throughout the EU. You will however require a work permit to work in Malta.
Malta has few natural resources and service industries dominate the island's economy. Over a million tourists visit Malta every year and tourism is the most important part of the economy, although in recent years Malta has taken big strides towards redfining itself as a financial, technology and freight centre.
Health care in Malta is free at the point of delivery for those entitled to receive it. Private healthcare is also available.
Education is free and compulsory from primary school to the age of 16 and non-compulsory pre-school places are available from the age of three. There are fee paying international schools in Malta too.
Driving is on the left as in the UK with international road signs on roads and highways. Roads are generally good.
Buying Property
Non-nationals may not own more than one property and any house or flat they buy must be worth a minimum of LM30,000 for a flat and LM40,000 for a house. However, EU citizens can buy property worth less providing it is for permanent residence.
You can visit Malta for up to three months at any one time without requiring a permit, but if you plan to stay for longer periods you will need to apply for a residence permit. You will need to demonstrate that you have the financial resources to live in Malta without becoming a financial burden to the State before obtaining one.
Estate agency fees are paifd for by the vendor as in the UK, but on top of the purchase price you will need to budget for a further 7% or thereabouts for stamp duty and legal fees.
Embassies
Malta High Commission
Malta House,
36-38 Piccadilly,
London. W1V 0PQ (0207 292 4800)
British High Commission in Malta,
7 St Anne Street,
Floriana,
Valletta
Malta (Tel: +365 233 134 87)
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