Country profile

Malta: Costs, Safety, Relocation and Quality of Life

Malta is especially relevant in the Nomadino comparison when comparing residence, visas and settling abroad as well as travel, accommodation and visitor usability. The current data points to a strong overall picture; its strongest main categories are Relocation & Residency and Travel & Vacation, while Conflicts & Political Security, LGBTQ+ Friendliness and Climate & Weather stand out at topic level. Before making a decision, check everyday costs, housing and recurring expenses as well as climate, leisure, nature and day-to-day lifestyle more closely, because the largest deductions come from Food & Basic Goods, Basic Infrastructure & Logistics and Entrepreneurship & Business.

Overall rating 71.63 points
Global rank Rank 34 globally
Continental rank Rank 27 in Europe

View main country ranking

Decision areas

The following entry points link directly to detailed articles that are especially relevant for relocation, longer stays, daily life and travel planning.

Key questions about Malta

Why is Malta especially relevant in this comparison?

The profile is shaped mainly by residence, visas and settling abroad as well as travel, accommodation and visitor usability; its strongest main categories are Relocation & Residency and Travel & Vacation.

Which topics stand out positively for Malta?

Conflicts & Political Security, LGBTQ+ Friendliness and Climate & Weather show the strongest topic-level results.

What should be checked before making a decision?

everyday costs, housing and recurring expenses as well as climate, leisure, nature and day-to-day lifestyle deserve closer attention; the largest deductions come from Food & Basic Goods, Basic Infrastructure & Logistics and Entrepreneurship & Business.

How important is relocation, residence and settling in for Malta?

The detailed articles below help check whether the rating fits residence, work, costs, healthcare, safety or travel.

Strengths and weaknesses

This section only shows categories, topic areas and indicators where Malta ranks in the top three or bottom three globally or continentally and shares the same score with no more than two other countries. Global ranks take priority over continental ranks.

Strengths

Weaknesses

Comparisons and related countries

Malta is especially useful to compare with Cyprus, Portugal and Spain, because those countries sit closer to its overall rating profile. Denmark and Germany work as contrast comparisons when residence, visas and settling abroad as well as travel, accommodation and visitor usability need to be weighed against different priorities; everyday costs, housing and recurring expenses as well as climate, leisure, nature and day-to-day lifestyle still deserve closer attention.

Static comparisons

  • Malta vs. Cyprus
    Malta performs about 6 points better on Infrastructure than Cyprus.
  • Malta vs. Portugal
    Portugal performs about 10 points better on Infrastructure than Malta.
  • Malta vs. Spain
    Spain performs about 13 points better on Infrastructure than Malta.
  • Malta vs. Germany
    Germany performs about 18 points better on Infrastructure than Malta.
  • Malta vs. Denmark
    Malta performs about 24 points better on Costs than Denmark.

All ratings and indicators for Malta

58 topic areas and 342 indicators are linked directly in the static HTML. Categories and topic areas are collapsed to keep the country profile easy to scan.

🛡️ Safety & Risk ShowHide

Safety & Crime

6 indicators

74
/ 100
ShowHide
Homicide Rate
Rank 20 globally 96
Petty Crime Index
Rank 27 globally 77
Women's Safety
Rank 37 globally 75
Organized Crime
Rank 90 globally 56
Kidnapping Risk
Rank 49 globally 88
BAC Limit (‰)
Rank 204 globally 1
88
/ 100
ShowHide
Active Conflicts & War Risk
Rank 127 globally 89
Political Violence
Rank 99 globally 81
Geopolitical Risk
Rank 42 globally 92
Terrorism Risk
Rank 1 globally 100

Natural Hazards

8 indicators

75
/ 100
ShowHide
Flood Risk
Rank 14 globally 89
Storm Risk
Rank 150 globally 64
Earthquake Risk
Rank 33 globally 89
Drought Risk
Rank 39 globally 81
Wildfire Risk
Rank 98 globally 50
Landslide Risk
Rank 99 globally 56
Tsunami Risk
Rank 133 globally 53
Volcano Risk
Rank 1 globally 100

Privacy & Surveillance

6 indicators

83
/ 100
ShowHide
State Surveillance
Rank 29 globally 81
Internet Censorship
Rank 32 globally 85
Internet Freedom
Rank 37 globally 79
Data Protection Laws
Rank 15 globally 90
VPN Access
Rank 37 globally 87
Cybercrime Risk
Rank 58 globally 69
67
/ 100
ShowHide
Rule of Law
Rank 54 globally 72
Property Rights Security
Rank 39 globally 73
Corruption Perception
Rank 93 globally 53
Police Effectiveness
Rank 57 globally 72
Expropriation Risk
Rank 38 globally 75
Extradition Risk
Rank 193 globally 33

Long-Term Stability

4 indicators

73
/ 100
ShowHide
Political Stability
Rank 35 globally 77
Economic Resilience
Rank 38 globally 73
Government Efficiency
Rank 57 globally 74
Climate Vulnerability
Rank 60 globally 66
❤️ Health ShowHide

Healthcare & Access

12 indicators

75
/ 100
ShowHide
Healthcare Quality
Rank 35 globally 76
Universal Healthcare Coverage
Rank 72 globally 75
Emergency Care
Rank 34 globally 76
Medicine Access
Rank 46 globally 76
Hospital Infections & Patient Safety
Rank 36 globally 77
Health Insurance for Foreigners
Rank 11 globally 80
Out-of-Pocket Health Expenditure
Rank 144 globally 61
Doctor Density
Rank 14 globally 83
Hospital Beds
Rank 43 globally 59
Healthcare Coverage (%)
Rank 1 globally 100
Specialist Visit Cost
Rank 154 globally 42
English-Speaking Doctors
Rank 9 globally 86

Environmental Health

6 indicators

77
/ 100
ShowHide
Fine Particulate Matter Exposure (PM2.5)
Rank 67 globally 85
Noise Pollution
Rank 163 globally 43
UV Radiation
Rank 81 globally 39
Tap Water Safety
Rank 1 globally 100
Sanitation
Rank 1 globally 100
Waste Management
Rank 86 globally 51
80
/ 100
ShowHide
Life Expectancy
Rank 21 globally 94
Infectious Diseases
Rank 43 globally 86
Obesity Rate
Rank 162 globally 62
Infant Mortality (per 1,000)
Rank 56 globally 65
Mental Health
Rank 27 globally 74
Suicide Rate
Rank 69 globally 69
Maternal Mortality
Rank 40 globally 91
Vaccination Rate
Rank 80 globally 93
Alcohol & Tobacco Consumption
Rank 167 globally 52
Drug and Substance-Use Burden
Rank 46 globally 85
💸 Finance & Taxes ShowHide

Taxes & Finance

10 indicators

68
/ 100
ShowHide
Effective Income Tax Rate (%)
Rank 185 globally 68
Top Income Tax Rate
Rank 130 globally 46
Social Security Burden
Rank 122 globally 71
VAT / GST Rate
Rank 152 globally 43
Capital Gains Tax
Rank 134 globally 75
Dividend Tax Rate
Rank 1 globally 100
Inheritance / Estate Tax
Rank 1 globally 100
Territorial Tax System
Rank 74 globally 64
Tax Filing Effort (hours/year)
Rank 65 globally 76
Double Taxation Agreements
Rank 31 globally 81
71
/ 100
ShowHide
Capital Flow Freedom
Rank 132 globally 62
Capital Market Depth
Rank 68 globally 70
Business Credit Access
Rank 27 globally 78
Investor Protection
Rank 59 globally 70
Foreign Investment Openness
Rank 26 globally 76
Currency Convertibility & Transferability
Rank 146 globally 67
Venture Capital & Startup Financing
Rank 65 globally 69
Alternative Financing Access
Rank 32 globally 78

Banking & Fintech

8 indicators

74
/ 100
ShowHide
Expat Banking Ease
Rank 27 globally 69
Banking Stability
Rank 43 globally 82
SWIFT / Wire Access
Rank 38 globally 88
Fintech Development
Rank 55 globally 91
ATM Availability
Rank 114 globally 76
Banking Secrecy Index
Rank 133 globally 47
Automatic Tax Information Exchange
Rank 135 globally 7
Cash Transaction Limit
Rank 1 globally 100

Bitcoin & Crypto

6 indicators

60
/ 100
ShowHide
Crypto Adoption
Rank 106 globally 31
Crypto Regulation
Rank 14 globally 80
Legal Status
Rank 10 globally 88
Bitcoin Merchant Acceptance
Rank 40 globally 33
Crypto Tax Rate
Rank 1 globally 100
Bitcoin Cash Access
Rank 66 globally 20

Real Estate & Property

4 indicators

64
/ 100
ShowHide
Foreigner Ownership Rights
Rank 43 globally 80
Transaction Costs
Rank 118 globally 65
Affordability
Rank 154 globally 52
Gross Rental Yield
Rank 144 globally 55
44
/ 100
ShowHide
Corporate Tax Rate
Rank 218 globally 13
Cost to Start a Business
Rank 139 globally 56
Labor Market Flexibility
Rank 50 globally 63
Days to Register a Company
Rank 111 globally 54

Macroeconomics

9 indicators

78
/ 100
ShowHide
GDP per Capita (PPP, USD)
Rank 28 globally 85
Inflation Rate (CPI, %)
Rank 41 globally 97
Public Debt (% of GDP)
Rank 130 globally 56
GDP Growth Rate (%)
Rank 15 globally 91
Economic Freedom Index
Rank 60 globally 66
Tax Burden (% of GDP)
Rank 4 globally 99
Central Bank Independence
Rank 42 globally 79
Foreign Exchange Reserves (months of imports)
Rank 224 globally 5
Current Account Balance (% of GDP)
Rank 32 globally 90
68
/ 100
ShowHide
Avg. Monthly Net Salary ($/month)
Rank 62 globally 65
Purchasing Power Index
Rank 55 globally 58
Unemployment Rate (%)
Rank 36 globally 91
Wage Growth Rate (%)
Rank 37 globally 82
Salary-to-Rent Ratio
Rank 99 globally 67
Minimum Wage (USD/month)
Rank 60 globally 65
🏠 Costs ShowHide

Housing & Utilities

5 indicators

53
/ 100
ShowHide
City Rent per Square Meter
Rank 192 globally 24
Rural Rent per Square Meter
Rank 179 globally 42
Electricity Cost
Rank 94 globally 74
Heating & Gas Cost
Rank 162 globally 82
Water & Sewage Cost
Rank 154 globally 88

Food & Basic Goods

7 indicators

34
/ 100
ShowHide
Milk Price per Liter
Rank 119 globally 47
Bread Price per 500 Grams
Rank 128 globally 52
Egg Price for 12 Eggs
Rank 190 globally 22
Chicken Fillet Price per Kilogram
Rank 196 globally 31
Beef Round Price per Kilogram
Rank 197 globally 32
Vegetable Basket Price per Kilogram
Rank 203 globally 19
Water Price per Liter in Supermarket
Rank 155 globally 48

Dining & Going Out

9 indicators

62
/ 100
ShowHide
Price of an Inexpensive Restaurant Meal
Rank 165 globally 43
Burger Menu Price
Rank 170 globally 56
Cappuccino (Café)
Rank 135 globally 70
Local Beer (Restaurant)
Rank 134 globally 70
Local Beer Price in a Market
Rank 113 globally 86
Imported Beer Price in a Market
Rank 124 globally 80
Cocktail (Bar)
Rank 139 globally 67
Mid-Range Wine Bottle Price
Rank 97 globally 71
Soft Drink Price in a Market
Rank 162 globally 56

Mobility Costs

7 indicators

57
/ 100
ShowHide
Transit Cost
Rank 199 globally 53
Fuel Price ($/L)
Rank 203 globally 34
Car Rental ($/day)
Rank 133 globally 79
Car Insurance ($/yr)
Rank 169 globally 79
Car Purchase Index
Rank 61 globally 33
Driving License Cost ($)
Rank 192 globally 64
City Parking ($/hr)
Rank 190 globally 73
78
/ 100
ShowHide
Internet Cost
Rank 48 globally 79
Mobile Plan Cost
Rank 90 globally 73
Prepaid SIM & Data Package Cost
Rank 98 globally 83
eSIM & Travel Data Cost
Rank 59 globally 93
Coworking Day Pass Cost
Rank 104 globally 64

Personal Services

4 indicators

65
/ 100
ShowHide
Haircut Cost
Rank 159 globally 59
Fitness Club Monthly Fee
Rank 148 globally 67
Laundry & Dry Cleaning Cost
Rank 121 globally 75
Local Services Cost
Rank 157 globally 57
🏗️ Infrastructure ShowHide
43
/ 100
ShowHide
Logistics Performance
Rank 45 globally 57
Rail Network Density
Rank 134 globally 1
Airport Connectivity
Rank 49 globally 66
Port Connectivity
Rank 39 globally 42
73
/ 100
ShowHide
Road Quality
Rank 26 globally 82
Traffic Congestion
Rank 152 globally 42
Road Density
Rank 5 globally 88
Traffic Deaths
Rank 6 globally 94
EV Charging Infrastructure
Rank 42 globally 53

Electricity & Energy

6 indicators

67
/ 100
ShowHide
Power Outages
Rank 19 globally 98
Electrification Rate
Rank 1 globally 100
Energy Self-Sufficiency
Rank 119 globally 40
Renewable Energy Share
Rank 181 globally 12
CO2 Intensity
Rank 151 globally 32
Nuclear Exposure
Rank 1 globally 100
82
/ 100
ShowHide
Broadband Speed
Rank 41 globally 81
Fixed Broadband Subscriptions
Rank 1 globally 100
Mobile Speed
Rank 33 globally 80
5G Coverage
Rank 41 globally 55

Public Transport

4 indicators

63
/ 100
ShowHide
Transit Coverage
Rank 32 globally 72
Transit Punctuality
Rank 42 globally 72
Cycling Infrastructure
Rank 43 globally 35
Walkability Score
Rank 33 globally 68
🌿 Lifestyle ShowHide

Work-Life Balance

5 indicators

68
/ 100
ShowHide
Annual Working Hours
Rank 42 globally 70
Paid Vacation Days
Rank 49 globally 80
Happiness Index (UN)
Rank 37 globally 67
Burnout Risk
Rank 35 globally 68
Public Holidays
Rank 42 globally 56

Climate & Weather

6 indicators

87
/ 100
ShowHide
Temperature Comfort
Rank 5 globally 84
Sunshine Hours
Rank 30 globally 94
Humidity Comfort
Rank 46 globally 91
Rainy Days
Rank 21 globally 86
Extreme Heat Days
Rank 164 globally 87
Seasonal Variation
Rank 114 globally 77

Outdoor & Lifestyle

5 indicators

51
/ 100
ShowHide
Beach Quality
Rank 41 globally 82
Mountain Access
Rank 206 globally 5
Protected Land Area (%)
Rank 43 globally 97
Biodiversity Index
Rank 192 globally 45
Forest Cover
Rank 202 globally 2

Leisure & Recreation

4 indicators

70
/ 100
ShowHide
Sports & Fitness Facilities
Rank 48 globally 64
Urban Green Space Access
Rank 103 globally 62
Leisure Infrastructure
Rank 35 globally 72
Recovery Time
Rank 31 globally 85

Arts & Entertainment

6 indicators

62
/ 100
ShowHide
Museums per 100,000 People
Rank 15 globally 89
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Rank 85 globally 22
Music & Nightlife
Rank 46 globally 58
Cinema Density
Rank 34 globally 58
Cultural Freedom
Rank 34 globally 80
Football and Stadium Culture
Rank 84 globally 69
56
/ 100
ShowHide
Cuisine Diversity
Rank 59 globally 49
Restaurant Density
Rank 52 globally 61
Street Food Scene
Rank 68 globally 49
Local Market Quality
Rank 58 globally 60
Café Culture
Rank 50 globally 56
Local Freshness
Rank 51 globally 68
Local Authenticity
Rank 62 globally 47

Family-Friendly

7 indicators

62
/ 100
ShowHide
Childcare Cost ($/month)
Rank 195 globally 64
Paid Parental Leave (weeks)
Rank 45 globally 50
Child Benefit ($/month)
Rank 36 globally 51
Child Poverty Rate (%)
Rank 81 globally 79
Child Safety Score
Rank 43 globally 78
Childcare Coverage (%)
Rank 41 globally 40
Playground Density
Rank 41 globally 72

Pet-Friendly

7 indicators

63
/ 100
ShowHide
Pet Entry Rules
Rank 39 globally 80
Veterinary Quality
Rank 39 globally 78
Vet Cost Affordability
Rank 161 globally 42
Pet Food Prices
Rank 154 globally 45
Animal Welfare Laws
Rank 42 globally 68
Pet-Friendly Housing
Rank 48 globally 58
Outdoor Pet Access
Rank 58 globally 68
✈️ Relocation & Residency ShowHide
84
/ 100
ShowHide
Residence Permit Ease
Rank 3 globally 96
E-Government
Rank 40 globally 87
Visa Processing Time
Rank 27 globally 70
Local Registration Requirements
Rank 18 globally 86
Foreign Document & Qualification Recognition
Rank 36 globally 82
Household Goods & Customs
Rank 45 globally 70
International Licence Compatibility
Rank 23 globally 92
82
/ 100
ShowHide
Visa-Free Tourist Stay Days
Rank 38 globally 75
Visa Application Ease
Rank 48 globally 79
Border Openness
Rank 28 globally 92
Travel & Entry Comfort
Rank 41 globally 81
Visa Income & Asset Requirements
Rank 141 globally 87
81
/ 100
ShowHide
Digital Nomad Visa
Rank 4 globally 93
Remote Work Legality
Rank 22 globally 79
Freelance Legal Framework
Rank 76 globally 75
Remote Job Market
Rank 14 globally 89
Coworking Density
Rank 43 globally 68
Nomad Community
Rank 36 globally 68
Avg. Remote Salary (USD)
Rank 35 globally 82
85
/ 100
ShowHide
Work Rights for Foreigners
Rank 22 globally 90
Work Permit Access for Foreigners
Rank 17 globally 88
Local Self-Employment and Freelancing Rights
Rank 63 globally 72
Employment Restrictions for Foreigners
Rank 18 globally 91
Professional Qualification Recognition
Rank 34 globally 83
Business Ownership by Foreigners
Rank 47 globally 81
84
/ 100
ShowHide
Time to Permanent Residency or Citizenship
Rank 10 globally 80
Family Reunification
Rank 24 globally 91
Naturalization Requirements
Rank 18 globally 83
Residence Status Stability
Rank 24 globally 89
Residence Status for Spouses and Children
Rank 24 globally 90
Passport Power (Henley Index)
Rank 33 globally 95
Dual Citizenship Allowed
Rank 1 globally 100
Citizenship by Investment
Rank 11 globally 5

Language & Integration

7 indicators

79
/ 100
ShowHide
English Proficiency (EF EPI)
Rank 30 globally 84
Local Language Barrier
Rank 30 globally 85
Integration Ease
Rank 27 globally 81
Cultural Etiquette Gap
Rank 35 globally 81
Expat Community Size
Rank 29 globally 65
Cultural Distance to West
Rank 35 globally 80
International Schools
Rank 19 globally 68
82
/ 100
ShowHide
Expat Welcome Culture
Rank 31 globally 81
Foreigner Discrimination
Rank 28 globally 81
Xenophobia Levels
Rank 25 globally 84
Racial Safety for Foreigners
Rank 28 globally 80
86
/ 100
ShowHide
Rental Access for Foreigners
Rank 6 globally 93
Tax Residency Clarity for Expats
Rank 15 globally 80
Local Contracts and Utilities Access
Rank 19 globally 86
Local Identity and Address Proof
Rank 26 globally 82
Everyday Accounts and Payments for Foreigners
Rank 20 globally 88
🏖️ Travel & Vacation ShowHide
85
/ 100
ShowHide
Hotel Quality
Rank 34 globally 83
Vacation Rental Quality
Rank 20 globally 91
Accommodation Availability
Rank 32 globally 76
Booking & Transparency
Rank 23 globally 90

Tourism Infrastructure

4 indicators

85
/ 100
ShowHide
Airport-to-Destination Transfer
Rank 42 globally 72
Digital Travel Services
Rank 28 globally 88
Traveler Payment Infrastructure
Rank 25 globally 91
Tourist Information Quality
Rank 23 globally 88
74
/ 100
ShowHide
Major Attractions Density
Rank 40 globally 65
Guided Tours & Bookable Experiences
Rank 26 globally 88
Tourist Outdoor Activities
Rank 81 globally 69
Nightlife & Entertainment for Visitors
Rank 38 globally 74
80
/ 100
ShowHide
Tourist Beach Quality
Rank 22 globally 91
Swimming & Water Sports
Rank 15 globally 86
National Parks & Nature Access
Rank 117 globally 62

Vacation Costs

5 indicators

64
/ 100
ShowHide
Hotel Cost
Rank 188 globally 60
Vacation Rental Cost
Rank 188 globally 61
Attraction Entry Cost
Rank 178 globally 63
Tour & Activity Cost
Rank 176 globally 66
Tourist Taxes & Fees
Rank 155 globally 74
82
/ 100
ShowHide
High-Season Overcrowding
Rank 121 globally 84
Off-Season Usability
Rank 41 globally 81
Seasonal Capacity Shortage
Rank 33 globally 82
Seasonal Price Surcharges
Rank 150 globally 79
🌐 Society & Participation ShowHide

Society & Freedom

4 indicators

81
/ 100
ShowHide
Press Freedom
Rank 47 globally 73
Democracy Index
Rank 18 globally 85
Personal Freedom
Rank 42 globally 81
Freedom of Political Expression
Rank 44 globally 81

Education & Knowledge

5 indicators

73
/ 100
ShowHide
Adult Literacy Rate
Rank 129 globally 95
PISA Score
Rank 45 globally 64
Tertiary Enrollment Rate
Rank 84 globally 50
Education Expenditure
Rank 111 globally 72
School Life Expectancy
Rank 20 globally 85
66
/ 100
ShowHide
Pension Replacement Rate (%)
Rank 37 globally 70
Unemployment Benefit Duration (months)
Rank 25 globally 50
Social Spending (% of GDP)
Rank 49 globally 53
Gini Index
Rank 19 globally 86
Poverty Rate (%)
Rank 63 globally 60
Housing Support Score
Rank 43 globally 61
Social Mobility Score
Rank 39 globally 65
Social Cohesion
Rank 32 globally 77
75
/ 100
ShowHide
Gender Equality
Rank 68 globally 69
Women’s Rights & Equality
Rank 49 globally 73
Anti-Discrimination Protection
Rank 41 globally 78
Minority Rights Protection
Rank 30 globally 82
Everyday Discrimination Risk
Rank 30 globally 81

LGBTQ+ Friendliness

5 indicators

88
/ 100
ShowHide
Same-Sex Legal Status
Rank 21 globally 97
LGBTQ+ Anti-Discrimination
Rank 21 globally 86
LGBTQ+ Social Acceptance
Rank 27 globally 84
LGBTQ+ Rights
Rank 18 globally 90
Pride Culture
Rank 29 globally 78
76
/ 100
ShowHide
Disability Support Score
Rank 42 globally 73
Public Accessibility
Rank 31 globally 75
Digital Accessibility
Rank 33 globally 81
Inclusion in Education and Work
Rank 33 globally 79

Religion & Worldviews

4 indicators

66
/ 100
ShowHide
Religious Freedom Index
Rank 77 globally 82
Secularization Score
Rank 51 globally 55
Religious Diversity Index
Rank 164 globally 28
Religious Influence in Public Life
Rank 51 globally 73

Demography

10 indicators

53
/ 100
ShowHide
Median Age
Rank 186 globally 33
Fertility Rate
Rank 205 globally 28
Population Growth
Rank 166 globally 28
Net Migration Rate
Rank 28 globally 70
Urbanization Rate
Rank 19 globally 94
Foreign Population Share
Rank 53 globally 72
Population Density
Rank 222 globally 28
Gender Ratio (F/100 M)
Rank 161 globally 47
Youth Gender Ratio (15-29)
Rank 173 globally 86
Single-Person Households
Rank 48 globally 56