About Malta
Centrally located in the middle of the Mediterranean, the Maltese archipelago consists of three main inhabited islands and a number of smaller uninhabited minor islands.
The island nation is an independent republic, with a stable parliamentary democracy. It has been a member of the European Union since 2004 and the currency is the Euro. Maltese is the national language, but English is very widely spoken, thanks to Malta’s colonial past.
The capital city is Valletta – a UNESCO World Heritage site where most of the island’s administrative offices are based. Sliema, St Julian’s, Birkirkara and their environs are generally considered to be the centre of the island’s main commercial districts.
The IMF classifies Malta as an advanced economy. The Maltese authorities have a strong pro-business approach. They are supportive of private enterprise and welcome international investment. The 2022 Index of Economic Freedom reports that Malta’s “overall score is above the regional and world averages”. Maltese economic growth until 2019 was among the highest in the EU.
Like the rest of the world, the economy experienced a downturn in 2020 with the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic but resumed in 2021 thanks to the Maltese Government’s handling of the situation. The European Commission’s winter economic forecast reported that Malta will have the highest economic growth rate across the EU this year, with the country reaching pre-pandemic levels of economic activity around mid-2022.
The Maltese healthcare system is publicly operated and is considered to be excellent. Private healthcare is also available. Malta’s tackling of the COVID-19 pandemic was among the strongest in Europe, with almost 90% of the Maltese population now double vaccinated. In 2021, according to the Maltese Minister for Health, Malta became the first nation in the world to reach the minimum estimated benchmark for herd immunity against COVID-19.
In terms of lifestyle, Malta is pretty hard to beat. Maltese people are social animals and enjoy nothing more than going out for a great meal or spending time with friends and family. Thanks to the nice weather, good economy and easy transport links, enjoying oneself in Malta is not difficult. Beaches are plentiful, historical places are abundant, and hospitality is of a high standard.
Maltese culture is an eclectic mix of Continental European, Southern Mediterranean and British. This is reflected in the island’s traditions – and not least in its cuisine, which has strong Italian and Mediterranean influences. Café culture is very popular thanks to the warm weather, with many business lunches and meetings taking place outside of the boardroom, around a café table instead.
There are enough bars and restaurants to cater for every taste and occasion. Access to theatre, concerts and cultural events is extremely high for an island of this size. Live sporting events are a little more limited outside of local sporting fixtures.
Crime rates are relatively low. Malta generally remains a very safe place to live, work and visit, as long as basic personal safety precautions are taken. The Maltese education system is primarily based on the English model, and schools are either state-run, church-run or private. There are also a couple of International Schools that follow the IB curriculum.
The old adage of location, location, location! truly applies to this Mediterranean gem. Malta is a well-connected investment location that boasts an advanced communications setup, and a business environment that gives every incentive for companies to invest, grow, innovate and compete in a global marketplace. Boasting a highly productive English-speaking workforce, a European time zone, a Mediterranean lifestyle, a competitive incentives package, as well as frequent air and sea connections, Malta is a great choice for foreign direct investment and international trade.
Visit Malta, explore the business opportunities available here, and enjoy the easy Mediterranean lifestyle that this incredible country has to offer. We look forward to welcoming you.