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

[Heather]

Hi Ilene and Mr. S,
I wrote a couple times on your feed prior to my move to Malta in September. I'm an American, 28, and have finally settled into my new life on this lovely island. I'd love to meet up for lunch or a coffee sometime. Your blog has been such a help!

Heather

[Mr.S.]

Hi Tyler,

Thanks for your praise. We try our best -))

I have not met anyone from the American military in Malta.

Your main question will be how your $ income translates into Euro's with consideration of the fluctuating exchange rates. The changes can be good or bad .

I don't know if veterans are covered for health in foreign countries.If not you are looking at a major cost factor even in Europe as the tarifs increase with age here in Europe and over a certain age you would not get coverage at all.For residence you have to have health insurance though!

Please research this issue in the US.

Regards

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Hi Everyone--Just got this question from Tyler. Does anyone have any answers?

Great site with lots of wonderful info. Thank you. Have you met any retired military folks over there? I will be retiring in a few years and am beginning to think about retiring to Malta. I just wonder how my military benefits may be affected if I move to Malta? Such as health/dental care,

[Mr.S.]

Hi Jamie,

This is the way I would see the situation as described.

As an EU citizen your brother is entitled to take residence in any EU country(Malta).He will be required to show that he has the resources to do so while finishing his studies in Malta.
His father (US) does not automatically have the right to accompany his son as the UK is not part of the Schengen area but would have to apply for tempoary residency himself and fulfil the conditions as an economically self-sufficient retiree.
http://www.foreign.gov.mt/Library/Cit/CEA8-URP.pdf
As an EU citizen your brother could probably sign into a public high school although it could be difficult for him as the Maltese school system is similar to the UK and the Maltese language could pose a problem.
You can check out schooling topics at this other website:
http://www.expat-blog.com/forum/viewforum.php?id=341
There are many threads about private schools,costs and school system there.

I would think that the cost of a 2 bedroom appartment here in Malta should start at around 300€/month and can go up to 800€ depending on what and where you choose to live.

I hope you will find all the answers at the sources above.

Best regards
Ricky

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Received this letter from Jamie. Can anyone help answer some questions?

Dear Ilene,

I have been reading your website "an-american-in-malta.com" with great
interest and have found wonderful insights into life in Malta. I do
however have some questions that I could not find answered on your
webpage, and without taking up to much of your time, would like to ask
you some questions.

Background:
My father is a US citizen with Permanent Residency in the UK. He is 70
and retired. I am looking to have him move to Malta for two years with
his youngest son who is 17. The 17 year-old holds Swedish and US
citizenship. He also has 1-1/2 year left of High School according to
the US curriculum. We want him to finish off his last 1-1/2 to 2 years
of High School in the EU while at the same time finding a nice place
for my father to live for two years. This is why I am looking at
Malta. So my questions are:

1. Would it be difficult to transfer Alex into a Malta public high
school or is he bound to have to pay for a private school in Malta
(like St Edward’s College).

2. How would my father apply for residency? Via his 17 year old EU
citizen son who will be going to school there, or on his own as a
'retiree'.

3. What is a realistic rent per month for a basic 2 room apartment in
the Valletta or Sliema? (Lowest and High)

4. What websites list apartments for rent in Malta?

Thanks for a great website!
Jamie

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Mr. S.--thanks, as always, for your good advice. Mark, sounds like you're wanting to leave for the right reasons. But--as Mr. S. says, you have to check everything out with immigration lawyers and attorneys--preferably before you make the big move. Best of luck--Ilene

[Mr.S.]

Hi Mark,

Gozo is a very,very small island compared to Minnesota but definitly a lot warmer during the winter months.

It sounds as if you would be applying for the Permanent Residency scheme in Malta.
You would be required to pay 15 % taxes/year on income brought into Malta with the minimum amount of 4500€ equating to 30.000€/year.Income outside of Malta does not matter and the US have a double-taxation agreement with Malta.
You will have to check in the US what this means for social security and 401.They should normally consider you a resident of Malta for tax purposes so if all your income is brought to Malta it should be taxed in Malta. But check it out.
You are also required to buy or rent property for certain amounts within the first 12 months.
You also have to have health insurance and will not be allowed to work in Malta.

[mark grueser]

Hi Everyone...or anyone, We are planning a trip to Malta/Gozo in 2011, to see how much we like it. It seems things are getting out of hand here in the US as far as health care goes, and well, Malta looks like a charmng place, with lots of appeal to us. Did I mention I live in Minnesota, where it gets -40 fahrenheit it the winter? Ok, so I'm wondering if I have to pay taxes on my social security and 401 in the US and Malta if I live in Malta and become a resident. It doesn't sound like it, but just wondering if anyone has input. Also how easy is it to become a resident...or should I say how long does it take? I have lots of questions...hope I don't annoy : )

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Hi again Dragon, a big welcome to you when you come to Malta. Hope you both find what you're looking for--Ilene

[Dragomir]

Hi Ilene and Mr.S.,
Thank you very much for your advices.
It looks like we wil stick with the center of Malta. May be that's the right decision. And of course as Mr.S. said, we cam move depend on that where will find job.
Thank you very much again.
I wish you all the best :-)))))

[Mr.S.]

Hi Dragomir,
It will depend on where you find work.Most buses start /end in Valletta but Valletta is not really the commercial center of Malta.As most appartments are furnished you can rent for a few months and then consider relocating nearer to where you work.
There are quite good bus connections from St.Pauls Bay to the Sliema/St.Julians area during the daytime too.
I wish you luck finding a job here in Malta.

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Hi Drago--Don't worry about your English; you should hear (or read) my Bulgarian. Almost everyone who moves here wonders the same thing--is it better to pay less and be far from the center of Malta--or pay more? If I were the two of you, I would stay in the center of Malta. It will be worth the extra 50 Euros--more activity, chances for work and more contacts with other expats. The best of luck to you--Ilene

[Dragomir]

Hello Ilene,

My name is Dragomir, I am from Bulgaria.
My English is terrible and I hope you will excuse me for that.
I am so happy that I found your blog, there is so much valuable information in it.
Me and my girlfrend intend to move to Malta in January 2011. We hope that we are going to find some job over there. Of course our budget is limited and we just don’t know the country, that’s why I want to ask you a question (or two). If we rent a one bedroom apartment in Qawra it will cost 300 euros per month, but I think it is far from the center of Malta. On the other site is, if we rent a one bedroom apartment in the almost center it will cost about 350 euros.
So, my questinon is which one is better decision, because if we will give this difference of 50 euros for transportation (and will travel a long time) it doesn’t make any sence to live in Qawra.
And one more thing, if we live in Qawra for what time we will be able to get to center with bus. As I see Malta is not big, we are not going to buy a car and we will travel by buses.
I am so sorry for these stuped questions, but I had never been in Malta and just don’t know where to rent an apartment that it is going to be close to more jobs.

Thank’s for any help

Drago.

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Hi Fiona--thanks for your nice comment. Hope to see you here sometime. Sounds like you'll do OK. Keep in mind that my blog posts reflect how I feel about Malta--sometimes good; sometimes bad. The other day I was ready to leave after a bank incident. that's coming up soon--Ilene

[Fiona]

Fun read. I just came across this while researching taking pets into Malta. My mum is Maltese (making me half :) but I grew up in Canada. I teach ESL and will most likely one day live and work there, as I have family and my parents go quite often. I've visited a few times, but see and experience the country through the eyes of an expat, as you do. Glad you enjoy it so much!

[David P]

Hi everyone
I am planning to retire in Malta next year with my family - Japanese wife and two children of 8 and 10. I am from the UK but I need to check out the best residence permits for us.
Secondly, I would be most grateful for any information about schools. We hear that San Anton and San Andrea are good. Has anyone any experience of these?
Other advice on places to rent and cost of living would be most welcome.
David

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Dear Michael--thanks so much for your kind comment. Glad that we found something in common as expats. Best of luck to you and your wife--Ilene

[Michael]

Just a quick note to say how much my wife and I are enjoying your blog. We emigrated to Kas in turkey and can empathise with some of your plights. Keep up the good work and good luck to you
yours, Michael

[Shahram]

Hi Ilene
Thanks for valuable information about living in Malta.I and my familly (my wife and our 5 years old daughter and our 4 years old son)are going to become Malta resident and moving there on next summer.Our children do not know english language.Could you please tell us about how learning english and going to a private or international school in Malta.
Cheers,
Shahram

[Mr.S.]

Hi Irene,
As a tourist you are allowed to stay in the Schengen area(which includes Malta and Italy)for a total of 3 months out of 6 months.So after flying to Rome you will be technically overstaying your tourist visa.The chances are that nobody would make a big deal out of it until you start applying for a residence permit.At this point they would see that you are illegal and would deny your application.
Check out the details of applying for a uniform residence permit here:
http://www.foreign.gov.mt/Library/Citizenship%20Forms%20and%20Templates/CEA8-URP.pdf
My advice would be apply as soon as you arrive in Malta and provide all required documents and information or check things out in Malta to see if you like it here, then return to the US and come back 6 months later with all the documents you need.
The process can take months and the outcome is not guaranteed.

Without the residence permit you can't even open a bank account in Malta.As far as I know US debit cards are not accepted in Malta and probably can't be used in ATM's either.A credit card should be ok but will not be accepted everywhere.A lot of the everyday business transactions in Malta like paying rent are done with cash.

Don't bring any electrical equipment as it won't work here without an adaptor.A laptop is ok as they come with an AC adaptor.You will just need a plug adaptor for Malta and the EU.Malta has the British plugs - Italy has EU style sockets.

I hope I've given you some hints on how to proceed but it won't be easy and the more supporting documents you have the better.They want to see them all-))including a divorce certificate if this applies in your case.

Regards