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

[Andreas Lolk]

Hi,

You misunderstood me. I'm not looking for a Permanent Citizenship, but the Permanent Resident Scheme. The one with all the tax perks + you can't work in Malta.

How did you guys find appartments? I've sent a couple of mails to remax, but no answers.

Best Regards.
Andreas

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Thanks, Mr. S., for your usual thorough explanations! xxx xxx Ilene

[Mr.S.]

Hi struggling Dane,

The place to apply for residency in Malta is the Department for Citizenship and Expatriate Affairs in Castille House in Valletta.For details follow this link:
http://www.foreign.gov.mt/web/Library/Citizenship%20Forms%20and%20Templates/CEA7-EEA1.pdf
You have to have been in Malta for more than 3 months to apply and you have to show the required documents (health insurance and income or work permit depending on you status.
They will grant you temporary residence status which will become permanent after 5 years if you meet the requirements.
If you buy into certain development areas (expensive) and do not want to work you can apply for permanent residence as an exception(special permit).
Depending on your age health insurance could be a problem as insurance companies do not except new customers over the age of 59 but they do offer contracts through English companies but these are very expensive.
The documents you will need are a valid passport,health insurance proof, proof of income and self-sufficiency status or a work permit,id card or proof of address in Malta and any other documents that can make your case
.
The tax question is a separate issue and depends on your personal situation.

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Hi Ilene,

Thx for a great website.

I’m going to live in Malta from August and I’m trying to do some groundwork before vacationing there in June.

During the vacation I’d find an apartment, open a bank account and apply for the permanent residency. But I can’t find anything about how or where I apply for the permanent residency.

Furthermore I would like to know what to bring and what I need in order to be eligible for a permanent residency.

I’ve read the 4200 euro tax rule and the 4200 euro rent rule over and over, but no where is there listed how or where I apply for the residency :-)

Can u help a struggling dane?

Med Venlig Hilsen

Andreas Lolk

[Mr.S.]

Hi Lauren,
The Institute is on the campus of the University of Malta.If you get youself an apartment in Msida near the water/main bus routes it is just a good walk to get there.

The websites of Maltese real-estate companies are nice to look at but totally out of date.They never remove properties that are gone!So you can compare prices but that is all.

It is easy to find a place as there is an over-supply and most are furnished.So you can either take a cheap hotel or a short lease first and then look for your final home.Depending on what you are looking for you you might find it difficult getting something nice for under 400,-€.

I know a few guys at Remax so if you need some help give me an info.When are you coming to Malta?

We also know someone who works at the MMA and lectures on maritime law so if you need some advice/tips from an insider just ask !

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Here is an email I recently received from Lauren. Any help is appreciated:

My husband is looking into attending the International Maritime Law Institute and we would be in Malta for not quite a year. Do you know anything about living near this school? It seems Msida is the closest "town". Is Sliema too far to live to travel daily to the insititue? Do you recommend us staying in a hotel and then having a real estate agent or us on our own explore apartments to rent? We just need a small place to live for 9 or 10 months, but we won't have a car and need to be near the institute and to shopping or the bus route. I have looked on Remax's website and they seem to have many apartments for 350 Euro but other websites seem to show higher costs.

Thanks for your help!

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Have a safe trip over, Adel, and welcome when you come--Ilene

[Adel]

Thanks Mr. S
Will see how things will unfold here in the little while..
We have never experienced the island life but we will probablty come visit for a week or two and take a decision before the end of summer..
Thanks for all the valuable information you have provided me..see u soon maybe

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Mr. S.--Thanks for all your research and time with these questions xxx Ilene

[Mr.S.]

Hi Adel,
You should be fine with FIDES.We visited a different company once and got the first consultation free but in the end we were able to solve our own problems.If you don't get along with FIDES contact us again for another option.
A lot of solving boils down to having the right documents! And this is something you have to provide yourself anyway but legal advice can be helpful especially looking at the corporate side.
Verdala International is very good but also the most expensive private school in Malta.The area Pembroke/St.Julians is also a very nice place to live.We live in Sliema.
So check out other private schools too.There are several good ones.
For more information you can also check out other posts on this blog and at www.expat-blog.com and check for country=Malta.
With the residence permit your situation will be similar to Ilene's and the health insurance coverage is crucial for the residence permit.

[Adel]

Mr. S
Thanks for the note, much appreciated.
I have started talking to a company specilaizing in setting up companies and all, thye are called FIDES, but it would be nice of you if you point out any other good ones.
How is life on the island? I noticed there was an interesting school down there called Verdalla international school, i guess there where we should be looking for house and it would be in the area of Pembroke it seems?? Is it a decsent area for a family oriented life?
Thanks again..

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Thanks, babe, for everything xxxxxxxxxxxxx

[Mr.S.]

Hi Adel,

Malta is very interested in generating new business opportunities and has a very good relationship with Libya.But you will need specific legal advice and help in setting up a new company office here in Malta.Malta would then grant you and your family a temporary residence permit.
You can find information about the 'family side' of your question both on this blog
and on www.expats-blog.com. Go to the Malta section there for school information and cost of living.
I can give you the name of a very good business set-up lawyer/company.

[Adel]

Of course i'm considering moving with my wife and 2 boys.
Any general information about rent of a house and an office would help.

Thanks

[Adel]

Hi Guys,
I'm a Canadian Citizen looking at moving to Malta to be able to run our company business in Libya. Do i need to apply for a residency in Malta? Could i operate the company from Malta? thanks in advance

[Mr.S.]

Hi Darcy,

TOEFL does not automatically qualify you to teach English as a foreign language in Malta. You also need A-levels in English or the equivalent from the US. You would need certificates from the US to be approved and confirmed by the Ministry of Education.There is also an English test held by the Ministry of Education twice a year.If you have a CELTA degree that counts as having the A levels in English.Having passed all these obstacles you will receive a licence to teach English in Malta.

Then you have to find a school in Malta willing to apply for a work permit for you. Getting the work permit can take 2 months or more and there is no guarantee that you will get it in the end.

So it will not be easy.I wish you luck.

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Yes, Scott, unfortunately this is true.  The ETC will not let you renew a permit after four years unless you leave the county for six consecutive months. This is supposedly to prevent non-EUs from applying for long-term residency or, G-d Forbid, citizenship in Malta.  You need to see a lawyer right away. I have no other answers for you at this time; I will be dealing with the same issue.  If it were me, I would stay and go for the long-term residency and then look for work afterward.  Best of luck--Ilene

Comment:

[Ilene]

This request for info was sent to me:

Hello Ilene,

I am an American and have lived and worked in Malta for 3 years as a draftsman, I was informed that my present employer won't be renewing my permit after end of May in which is expires, Well I had an interview with Olive Gardens Investments Ltd today but to my surprise they told me they thought I was only allowed to work in Malta for 4 yrs and that ETC won't renew permits after the 4th year, Can you verify this or have any information about this?

Thank you,
Scott

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Hi Darcy, good to hear from you. Yes, it is difficult and Im glad youre not just thinking that youre moving to a Mediterranean paradise, which Malta--and nowhere--is.  My best advice: Take the CELTA training--which is even a cut above the TOEFL.  Schools are looking for CELTA-trained teachers--even from the US.  They even offer the CELTA course in Malta here---at a school called NSTS in Gzira in February and November).  This is where I was trained. Its a very difficult course, but worth it if you end up teaching.  BTW, if youre already working in France, why would you leave??  Best of luck to you--Ilene

Comment:

[Darcy]

Hi Ilene,

I am an American, currently working as an English teacher in France. While here, I had the good fortune to meet two amazing maltese friends, who started teaching me maltese. During february, I went to visit them for a week, and had a blast. I've absolutely fallen in love with the people, language, and culture, and would love to spend a year working in Malta, but it sounds like it's very difficult. I'd be willing to do anything really, but from asking around, it seems like the most probably solution would be teaching english... only problem is that I'm not yet TOEFFL certified, not to mention that I'm not from the EU. Do you have any suggestions?

Thanks so much!

~Darcy