DVE Discover Malta Guide
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Phone: (+356) 7947 1194 E-mail: [email protected] Web : www.devinkestates.com DISCOVER MALTA GUIDE NOTE TO READERS Thank you for downloading this Discover Malta Guide. Perhaps you are seriously considering a move for personal or business reasons or have Malta on your radar as one of several countries of interest. Now is the time to gather as much information as possible to make a balanced decision. Rather than re-invent the wheel and provide the same information so many other organizations already have, we have opted to aggregate content from trustworthy sources. The purpose of this report is to save you time and effort in doing your research. Our aim is to provide a realistic and unbiased view – the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly – from a global, regional, as well as local perspective. For your convenience, we have organized the content into different sections. You can find the index on page 3 in case you want to select certain topics of interest rather than reading the entire brochure from beginning to end. Lastly, I want to share my own personal view of Malta with you. I moved here from Holland in 2013. Since then, I have been working in the real estate industry, set up my own business, got married, rented a property, bought a house, and now enjoy raising two beautiful children. My ventures – or perhaps I should I say adventures – have helped me to gain insights on many different levels. I hope that my story, although not especially unique, may provide you additional perspective of what it’s like to be an expat in Malta. We hope to become a trusted resource in the event you choose to consider investing in Malta. Mark de Vink Owner, DeVink Estates P.S. If we happen to source a commercial organization, this is in no way an endorsement of their products or services nor were we compensated to do so. DISCOVER MALTA GUIDE CONTENTS 1 MALTA: THE DESTINATION 5 2 MALTA LIFESTYLE 8 3 ENVIRONMENT & DEVELOPMENT 14 4 BUSINESS CLIMATE 18 5 FINANCE 24 6 REAL ESTATE 28 MEDIA & RESOURCE LIST 30-31 ABOUT US 33 3 MALTA OVERVIEW Officially known as the Republic of Malta, many Europeans emigrate yearly to improve their standard of living. Their backgrounds and reasons vary: Highly educated people who choose to further their careers in the growing financial sector and online gaming industry; budding entrepreneurs who want to set up their own internet companies; young people who seek the challenge of learning or improving their English; and pensioners who desire to relax and enjoy their retirement years. Regardless of motivation, they all benefit from Malta’s excellent climate, thriving economy, warm hospitality, and a culture that is rich in history and tradition. Malta’s Economy For years, tourism has been one of the primary sources of income for Malta. After gaining independence from the British Commonwealth in 1964, it was mostly the British who considered this former colony as a favourite holiday destination. In the last decade, Malta’s popularity has increased throughout other European nations and the number of tourists continues to rise steadily. Many also enjoy visiting the nearby islands of Gozo and Comino. However, as an EU member state since 2004, Malta no longer solely relies on tourism. To achieve a more diversified economy, the government gradually invested in key sectors such as banking and finance, information and communications technology (ICT), maritime, aviation, and manufacturing. Thanks to a stable political climate, favourable business environment, and modern technology infrastructure, the service sector comprises approximately 75% of Malta’s economy today. Malta GDP 2016 Provisional estimates indicate that the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2016 amounted to €9,898.0 million, an increase of €622.2 million or 6.7 percent when compared to 2015. In real terms, GDP went up by 5.0 percent. 4 www.devinkestates.com 1 MALTA: THE DESTINATION While it’s surprising how many people still don’t have a clue where Malta is, many are flocking here as a less expensive alternative to mainland Europe. It’s a picturesque location for the film industry as well as a popular port of call for luxury cruise ships. Regardless of the reason, Malta is increasingly on the radar for both business and pleasure. TOURISM: WHO VISITS MALTA? 5 REASONS PEOPLE CHOOSE MALTA INBOUND VISITORS (2016) 1. English Language. 1,965,928 The majority of Maltese people speak fluent A 10.2% increase over 2015 English and all governmental documents and contracts are available in English. 2. Easy Access. PURPOSE Malta’s international airport offers many direct 77% on holiday, not including flights to most countries in Europe and other visiting family and friends continents. 3. Excellent Healthcare. Malta’s healthcare system is considered one of TOURIST PERCEPTIONS the best in the world, with both public and private Welcoming, history and culture, hospitals and clinics. peaceful, hot, sunny, multicultural, variety 4. Low Crime. Malta is considered to be one of the safest countries in the world. TOURIST FEELINGS 5. Diverse Lifestyle. Relaxing, warm, safe, The area is a true paradise for those who enjoy friendly, happy golf, sailing, scuba-diving, hiking, and biking – as well as a variety of unique cuisine and shopping. www.mta.com.mt/research 5 RELOCATION: WHO STAYS IN MALTA AND WHY? The reality of living in Malta is quite different than vacationing here, but that can be said of most anywhere. There are a few trade-offs for the quality of life offered, which is why we attempt to present a fair-and-balanced view. In the end, we think Malta is a terrific place to work, invest, and to raise a family. At some point soon when our kids are old enough to talk, we’ll be sure to let you know if they agree. Where Should London Bankers Relocate Post-Brexit? Movinga, a Berlin-based relocation brokerage company active in several European countries, has released a report rating 10 EU cities according to their desirability as a relocation destination. Movinga used 12 distinct criteria to rank the attractiveness of cities to London bankers, among them maximum income tax rate, English-language-friendliness, monthly rent for upscale flats through price of a house-cleaning, number of restaurants with Michelin stars, price of an evening cocktail, monthly price for luxury fitness studio access, price of a flex-ticket flight to London and flight-minutes from London. The results, from top to bottom: Dublin, Amsterdam, Valletta (Malta), Luxemburg, Brussels, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Madrid, Paris, and Milan. The Best and Worst Places for Expats in 2016 The newcomer Taiwan is this year’s winner, followed by an aspiring Malta…. #2 Malta: Fun in the Sun Malta, a newcomer in last year’s survey, has moved up one spot to claim second place, thus pushing Mexico, last year’s second-place winner, off the podium completely, but only down to fourth place. Similar to Taiwan, Malta is also in the top ten for every index that factors into the overall ranking. This Mediterranean country performs best in the Ease of Settling In Index, coming in fourth place. It is first in terms of settling down, getting used to the local culture, and making new friends. Over 4 in 10 expats (41%) say it is very easy to settle down in Malta, well over twice the global average of 16%. Malta fell from first place to fifth this year in the Working Abroad Index. It seems that expats working there are not as pleased with their work-life balance as they were in 2015, with only 22% completely satisfied (vs. 27% in 2015), which is still slightly above the global average of 17%. This is despite, or perhaps due to, the fact that 28% are part-time workers. In the Personal Finance Index, Malta has made a quite significant jump, from 42nd to 6th place. One-quarter of respondents even quote complete satisfaction with their financial situation (global 15%)...despite the fact that one-third of working expats say their income is generally lower than back home. Malta holds sixth place in the Quality of Life Index, with exceptional ratings for the climate and weather. Three-quarters of expats say they couldn’t be more pleased with it, and not a single respondent has something negative to say! With such glowing results, it’s perhaps no surprise that almost half the expats in Malta are planning to stay forever (49%), significantly higher than the global average of 31%. NOTE: Malta fell to #7 in 2017 6 www.devinkestates.com MALTA, THE ISLAND NATION JUST BELOW SICILY, IS AN INCREASINGLY POPULAR STOPOVER (August 2017) For travelers today, Malta’s proximity to Europe’s glamour destinations is a definite plus — if not a widely appreciated one. Often experienced as a day stop on Mediterranean cruises, Malta greatly rewards a longer stay. The 17-by-8-mile island is packed with lovingly restored sites that bring history to life. Washington Post MALTA FAST FACTS DID YOU KNOW? Malta’s capital city, Valletta, ranked #3 of “European cities best equipped to accommodate professionals relocating as a result of Brexit.” 7 2 MALTA LIFESTYLE Malta is a small island of huge contrasts: An eclectic mix of long- time locals and change-seeking foreigners, quiet families, and off-the-charts partiers. Despite enduring traditions that cross boundaries, it also seems as if each town has its own personality. Knowing where you fit – or if you fit – takes a bit of exploring. A Cosmopolitan Lifestyle in the Med More than just a smart place to invest, Malta is a multi-faceted jewel shining at the centre of the Mediterranean.