The Forum: YOUR Questions, Answers,Comments

Wanted: Questions, Answers,Comments

Dear Readers,

This section is for you to write back and forth to each other. Address the post to me—Ilene—if you want me to specifically answer something.  But, mostly this is for you to talk to each other. I will eliminate anything that I deem is inappropriate—except for my stuff, of course, because that would mean eliminating the whole blog.  Enjoy…

Comments

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Hi Koko,

Thanks for your comment. The only American-related bank operating in Malta is HSBC--Malta. But HSBC is really an international bank. I use it, but I don't think there's anything especially good about it. If I were to do it all over again, I would use the Bank of Valletta--which you can use all over Malta. The main thing I would dd--no matter where--is open at least one account in USD and transfer USD from your bank in America. Then wait until the exchange rate improves and cash in the USD for Euros. Of course, open an account in Euros for your immediate use. As far as PayPal goes, you choose where you want payments to go. They can go to another bank if you add it to your account, but you can't change the currency in one account once you open it in that currency. Go look at the Q and A section of PayPal. They give good info on what you can and cannot do. Good luck--Ilene

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Hi Everyone--Happy Easter and Passover. Just got this question I'm posting on the THE FORUM:

Hi!

Love your blog! Lots of useful info about Malta.

Anyway, got a question that I'd like to ask:

What are the a
American banks operating in Malta?

I think I'll need to open an account with them, to be able to open up a paypal acc in Malta.

Thanks!

Koko

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Thanks, Mr. S., for your usual thoughtful and thorough answers.

[Mr.S.]

Hi Ella,

To stay for longer than 3 months in Malta you will have to apply for residency. That is the same for EU citizens and non-EU citizens but it is much easier for EU citizens.

You should check out the requirements for ordinary residency in Malta ( work permit - very difficult for non EU's, self-sufficiency and retirement, school and study, and so on).You should find one that fits but it will be with income and health insurance requirements.If you are a US citizen it will be nearly impossible to get a work permit.

The visa/residency regulations for Cyprus and Malta will be very similar as both are part of the Schengen area in the EU.

Regards
Ricky

[Mr.S.]

Hi Bronson,

There was the same question on another blog. To stay longer than 3 months in Malta you have to apply for a residency permit, even as an EU citizen.For a non-EU citizen that is not always so easy.Please check out the requirements ( work permit or self-sufficiency or study and so on), there should be one that fits your situation.

What was your status while staying in Spain ' on and off'? Both Spain and Malta are part of the Schengen area in the EU and have the same regulations.

I wish you luck. You can get back to me through per e-mail through Ilene if you have personal questions.

Regards
Ricky

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Hi Everyone--just got this email/question from Bronson. Any answers or comments are appreciated:

Hello Ilene

Good day, love your blog, my name is Bronson and I have been living on and off in Spain for 4 years, I wish to live in Malta for at least 12 months and I am not sure how to go about it. Is even possible to stay there legally for 12 month? If so, how? I have my own internet business which provides me monthly income.

Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

Regards

Bronson Tang

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Hi Rita--wishing you luck with your potential move to Malta. No one can give you general advice on moving to Malta. The best thing is to use this blog and others to find out what you need to research and investigate. Then get ready to do a lot of homework on all aspects of living in a new country: jobs, residency, health care, etc. The biggest thing in your favor is that you are from the EU which makes life a lot easier than for people like me who are non-EU. Good luck--Ilene

[Rita Chapplow]

My husband and myself are hopeing to move to malta, this year. my husband has an army pension, which hopefully we can live on that. If in the future we want to work, it would hopefully just be part time. my husband at the moment is a refuse driver, and i work in a school as a domestic. we live in the uk, and would like advice please.
Rita.

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Hi again Ella--please let me know what you think of Cyprus. If I also liked it, I would only have to change one name in the title and it would still work ;- Ilene

[Ella B.]

Thank you Ilene, for your answers.They speak English in Cyprus too along with Greek and Turkish as it used to be the British colony. We are still thinking and probably will go to both countries for an extended stay before making a decision on where to start the nest. Wishing you all the best, Ella :)

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Ooops, Ella...your question is already on The Forum! Let's see what we come up with. Lots of luck--Ilene

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Hi Ella, thanks for the compliment. Many of your questions are answered elsewhere in the blog. I will, however, post your questions in THE FORUM and see what kind of opinions you get. There aren't as many Americans as Brits. Many people consider Cyprus because it's larger than Malta. I haven't been there, but the main language is Greek and it's farther from the US than Malta. Anyone else--which is better: Malta or Cyprus?--Ilene

[Ella B.]

Hi Ilene,
I found your blog sooo valuable. What would we do without you?
We plan to move to Malta this fall (2011). Basically, to retire, although I am not the retirement age but my husband is. I understand that as the US citizens we are allowed to stay for only 90 days in Malta. Should we apply for a visa for a longer stay and what kind of a visa it should be? Are there many Americans or UK senior expats living in Malta? Do you know anything about Cyprus and could you make any comparisons between these two countries as far as the retirement is concerned? I hope those questions are not too difficult for you.
Thank you very much.
Ella B.

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Hi Jessica--the easiest question I can answer is that, yes, you can use your iPhone here, but it will have to be "unlocked" and I think you will have to get a sim card from Vodaphone--the phone carrier who has the contract with iPhone--Ilene

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Hi Everyone,

I received the following email from Jessica, an EFL teacher from the US, planning to move to Malta in the summer. Would someone please answer her questions? I can help with a couple. Thanks--Ilene

In addition to reading your blog (by far one of the most helpful on the internet re: moving abroad - anywhere), I've been watching
You Tubes about Malta -- getting very excited!

I have four short questions -- will be delighted if you can offer your expertise:

1.   How much cash should I have on hand to land, find a place and settle before the

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Dear Mark,

Anything is possible, but remember that $500 is about 650 in Euros here in Malta. You can rent a one or two-bedroom place for that, depending on location. You pay less for areas that are more rural. Good luck. Contact the rental places directly--Ilene

[mark grueser]

Hi all, just wonder if someone can direct me to some up to date websites for long term rentals in Gozo...there seems to be a lot of them out there. We thought we would make our first stay for 3-6 months, that would enable us to find an area we would really like to settle in. Also, is it possible to rent something for around $500 US? we really only need a 1 bedroom apt, or condo, but 2 br would be better. Thanks for any input.

Mark

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Hi Gerald, Welcome to Malta. Most rental places come furnished in Malta. So leave the washer and dryer home. If you really love some pieces, ship them. But Malta has all kinds of furniture; you won't need to bring much with you at all. Best of luck--Ilene

[Gerald Miller]

Hello, I will be moving to Malta by the end of October 2011. I have tons of furniture and from talking to the movers it's going to cost plenty to move. Should I just select a few pieces that I like and comfortable havin around. Are there adequate furntiture stores in Malta? Also should I bring a washer and dryer? Currently living on the West coast of the US. Jerry

[Dan Strizek]

We will be visiting Malta for 9 days in late June/ early July and are wondering about the wisdom of renting a car for 4 or 5 days. We read about the great transport systme on the islands, and so wonder if hassles of moving about, parking etc. in a car are worth it?!?!?

Any commments will be welcome!

Greetings from Dr. Dan in Denver (where it is 68 degrees or so this aft.!)