Malta truly is the pearl of the Mediterranean Sea. With its clear-blue waters, rich history, and numerous picturesque hiking trails, it has begun to attract the attention of digital nomads worldwide.
Luckily for them, Malta is now on the list of countries that offer a visa for foreign digital nomads. Can you imagine living and working on an island paradise? Well, as of 2022, the Malta digital nomad visa is a reality!
If you are a self-employed freelancer, or a remote worker for any company outside of Malta, and you are not a member of the European Union, the Malta digital nomad visa is for you!
Today, I’ll be telling you everything you need to know to apply for this visa. But first, let me give you a brief summary:
- The application process is done 100% online.
- A criminal record certificate is required.
- Your salary as a self-employed freelancer or remote worker must be at least 2700 euros.
- The duration of the visa is 1 year, with the possibility to extend it.
- The cost of the application is 300 euros.
How to apply for a digital nomad visa for Malta?
Applying for the Malta digital nomad visa is a very simple process, as the country has created an intuitive web page for your convenience.
All you have to do is familiarise yourself with the Residency Malta Agency website, where you will find all the necessary information to complete the process. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to apply!
- Fill in the application form, the data protection form, and the form for family members. The latter is only necessary if you’ve decided to bring your loved ones with you to Malta.
- Make a copy of the following documents:
- Valid passport.
- Bank statement, showing income for the 3 months prior to application.
- Employment contract.
- Insurance policy.
- Curriculum vitae in the Europass format.
- Rental contract or contract for the purchase of a property in Malta.
- Signed declaration.
Then, you can begin part 2 of the application:
- Write a letter stating your reasoning and intentions to move to Malta. This letter must be signed and dated on the day you send the documentation. It must also state the duration of your stay in the country, which can be between 90 and 180 days or between 180 and 365 days.
- Attach all the documents on the Residency Malta Agency website.
- Then, simply wait patiently for the approval of the digital nomad visa. Here’s how long it can take!
Visa delivery time
The official delivery time for the Malta digital nomad visa is 30 days from the moment you receive the confirmation that your documentation has been received by the relevant administrative entity.
Note that these processes can take longer, depending on the volume of applications being made at any given time.
How does the Malta Digital Nomad Visa work?
The Nomad Residence Permit programme is responsible for processing all aspects of the digital nomad visa for Malta.
This visa allows foreigners who work remotely, either as self-employed freelancers or as an employee of a foreign company, to obtain temporary authorisation to live and work in Malta legally.
The duration of this visa is 1 year, but it can be extended for up to 3 years. Note that it was designed for citizens who are not part of any member country of the European Union, as Malta openly allows this right to EU digital nomads.
The application, which I will tell you more about in detail later, is a very simple process and is done 100% digitally on the official website. The deadline to find out if your visa has been approved or rejected is 30 days.
✅ Pros of the digital nomad visa for Malta
- It is possible to extend the duration of the visa for a further 3 years.
- The visa allows you to include family members to move with you to the country.
- There are no restrictions regarding professional activities.
- The application process is 100% digital.
❌ Cons of the digital nomad visa for Malta
- Proof of a minimum salary of €2,700 is required.
- Your travel insurance policy must cover a minimum of €30,000 in relation to hospital care, both for the applicant and family members.
- The cost of the visa is €300 and is non-refundable.
Requirements to apply for the Malta digital nomad visa
In order to establish yourself as a digital nomad in Malta, it is essential that you meet a set of requirements—make sure you fulfil all of these requirements before you start your application!
- You must not be a citizen of any EU member state.
- You must have a gross salary of at least 2,700 euros.
- Take out an insurance policy that is valid for your entire stay in the country—keep reading to find out which is the best policy for long-term travel to Malta!
- You must be a remote worker with any one of the following statuses: self-employed, entrepreneur, partner, freelance, shareholder of businesses, or hired by a company outside Malta.
- You must have a document verifying that you do not have a criminal record in your home country.
What activities are permitted and prohibited?
Malta does not place any restrictions on the professional activities that you are allowed to carry out during your stay in Malta as a digital nomad. The only condition is that, if you are self-employed or a freelancer, your client portfolio must be outside of Malta.
The same condition also applies if you are working remotely for a company. In this case, the company must not be from Malta.
What nationalities are allowed and prohibited?
As I mentioned in the requirements above, only citizens who are not nationals of any European Union country are eligible for the Malta Digital Nomad Visa.
The reason for this is very simple: EU members already have the benefits of being able to move freely around Malta for as long as they want.
This means that they can already live and work in Malta without applying for any kind of visa. It would make no sense for them to apply for this one!
Can you apply for the Malta digital nomad visa if you are in the country?
Many travellers wonder if they can apply for the Malta nomad visa if they are already in the country for any reason.
The answer is yes. As it is a 100% online application, any non-EU citizen can start the process from the country. That is, as long as they can obtain the necessary documentation!
Is it possible to bring a partner or children with an approved visa in Malta?
The Malta nomad visa also allows you to work remotely with your family members once the Nomad Residence Permit has been approved.
In this case, you should be aware that you will need to submit about €400 more in your proof of income for each family member who wants to reside with you in the country.
Is travel insurance for Malta compulsory?
Taking out insurance is an essential requirement for the Malta digital nomad visa application to be accepted.
However, finding a cheap travel insurance option with good coverage is complicated due to the wide variety of insurance policies and companies that exist in the market. Don’t worry! I’ve done tons of research on this subject.
Best travel insurance for Malta
It’s impossible to know when something can happen out of the blue that totally derails your trip. That’s why it’s so crucial to take out good health travel insurance.
Luckily, I’ve picked out the best policy currently available for digital nomads headed to Malta.
Get a 5% discount on Heymondo until 11/09/2024. Get in quick!
Activate Discount Here
- Fill in your trip info
- Click on “Calculate Price”.
- All done! The discount will be applied automatically.
Some of the most useful benefits of Hey Mondo travel insurance for digital nomads include:
- 24/7 assistance platform.
- Repatriation and early return.
- Travel expenses for a family member if you are hospitalised for over a week.
Travel insurance comparison to Malta
If you’re still not totally convinced, I’ve prepared a comparative table of the best insurance options for digital nomads in 2024.
Take a look to see which policy best suits your needs as a nomad.
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️ | ⭐️ | |
Price 3 months | 174€ | 210€ | 338€ | 126€ | 195€ |
Discount valid until 11/09/2024 | – 15% for families | – 5% | – 5% | ❌ | ❌ |
ACTIVATE DISCOUNT | ACTIVATE DISCOUNT | ACTIVATE DISCOUNT | GET A QUOTE | GET A QUOTE | |
Legal assistance | 13.000€ | 12.000€ | 3.000€ | ❌ | ❌ |
Covid-19 | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Medical expenses | 1.000.000€ | 500.000 € | 200.000€ | 222.600€ | £10,000,000 |
Hospitalization | Actual costs | 500.000€ | 250.000€ | 200.000€ | £10,000,000 |
Theft or loss of luggage | 2.000€ | 2.500€ | Optional | 2.670€ | £2000 |
Repatriation | Actual costs | Actual costs | Actual costs | 17.800€ | Actual costs |
Sports activities | ✅ | Optional | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
Recommended for | All types of stays | All types of stays | All types of stays | Digital nomad | All types of stays |
Review | Chapka insurance | HeyMondo insurance | IATI travel insurance | SafetyWing insurance | Word Nomads Insurance |
Discount > | Promo Code Chapka | Promo Code HeyMondo | Promo Code IATI |
How to travel to Malta at the best price?
Getting a discount on your insurance is a great way to save on your Malta nomad visa trip. But flights, accommodation, and sightseeing are also big expenses.
Throughout my many years of travel, I’ve learnt a few little tricks to reduce the cost of my trips, without lessening the experience, of course. So, here they are!
How to find cheap flights to Malta
One of the first tips I want to share concerns finding cheap flights using VPN servers. Have you heard of these? I prefer NordVPN, as it is affordable, but also offers all the necessary benefits.
Basically, It allows you to connect your device’s IP in different countries around the world to find the cheapest flights, which is great for us nomads!
You know, flights don’t cost the same from all countries! To pay for my cheapest flights, I use NordVPN.
Basically, it’s a private network that allows you to access Internet sites from locations other than your own, and this can have some serious benefits:
In September 2024, enjoy a 59% discount on NordVPN.
Click here: Activate Discount
Flights from Barcelona to Buenos Aires don’t cost the same if you buy them from Spain as from India, for example. So, once you’ve installed NordVPN, simply access websites like Skyscanner and compare prices by entering as if you were browsing from different countries.
The 8 countries from which it is cheapest to buy flights are: Malaysia, Bulgaria, India, Turkey, Romania, Indonesia, Portugal, and Thailand. Once you have NordVPN, head over to Skyscanner and start paying reduced prices for flights all over the world!
How to find cheap accommodation in Malta
When it comes to accommodation, it can be very difficult to find a cheap option. However, I’ve managed to save hundreds over the years, thanks to Booking’s great platform and their Genius user option.
Access Booking.com now and get discounts of up to 15% in September 2024 by becoming a Genius user.
There are also ways to save money when booking your accommodation with Booking. The first of which is becoming a Genius user, something you get from making 2 bookings (Genius level 1), and 5 bookings (Genius level 2).
As a Genius user in Booking.com, you can enjoy:
- Discounts on room rates.
- Free breakfast.
- Upgrades to superior room categories.
- Free parking.
- Late check-out.
- Welcome gifts.
In addition, there are hotels in Booking.com that directly offer you a 10 to 15% discount on your rate for being a Genius user.
Access to get discounts of up to 15% by becoming a Genius user.
Finally, Booking.com has a Minimum Price Guarantee program, so if you find a cheaper price for your hotel on any other website, they’ll match it!
How to book activities in Malta at the best price
Jumping head-first into Malta’s various adventure activities is a must if you’re visiting the country. But don’t think you have to spend a fortune on booking!
In fact, if you book in advance, you can take advantage of some great promotional offers.
GetYourGuide is an indispensable tool for organising any trip to any destination. It’s a platform that helps you book tourism and leisure activities for your trip.
With GetYourGuide, you can book your activities online to avoid queues, and take advantage of a discount for online bookings. This way, you save time and money, so you can enjoy more activities during your trip!
Which card to use in Malta
Last but not least, you should consider the bank card you are going to use to avoid high fees. So, let’s take a closer look at one of the best offers currently available.
If you travel frequently, the Revolut Metal Card is another great way to save money. For starters, they offer you unlimited currency exchanges without paying any fees!
This Card allows you to make unlimited domestic transfers free of charge, and withdraw up to £800 a month from international ATMs.
If you spent £650 abroad in a month using a standard card, and withdrew £350 at ATMs, you would have paid around £44 in fees.
With the Revolut Metal card, you would have paid £0 in fees.
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Countries with digital nomad visas in September 2024
Luckily for digital nomads like you, the Malta nomad visa is not the only one of its kind. In fact, more and more countries are coming together to offer these types of visas.
In the following table, you’ll find a quick comparison of the most interesting destinations:
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41 / 195 | Trend in | Duration | Tax | Travel insurance | Proof |
COUNTRIES | September 2024 | in months | to pay | See recommended | of income |
Anguila | 12 | $2000 | Yes | Yes | |
Antigua Barbuda | 24 | $1500 | Yes | Yes | |
Aruba | 3 | $75 | Yes | No | |
Barbados | 12 | $2000 | Yes | Yes | |
Bermuda | 12 | $260 | Yes | Yes | |
Brazil | 🆕 | 🆕 | Yes | Yes | |
Cape Verde | 6 | $60 | Yes | Yes | |
Colombia | 🆕 | 🆕 | Yes | Yes | |
Costa Rica | 24 | $550 | Yes | Yes | |
Croatia | 12 | $155 | Yes | Yes | |
Curaçao | 6 | $300 | Yes | No | |
Cyprus | 12 | $65 | Yes | Yes | |
Dominica | 18 | $900 | Yes | Yes | |
Ecuador | 24 | $450 | Yes | Yes | |
United Arab Emirates | 12 | $610 | Yes | Yes | |
Estonia | 12 | $100 | Yes | Yes | |
Georgia | 12 | $35 | Yes | Yes | |
Germany | 36 | $100 | Yes | Yes | |
Grenada | 12 | $1500 | Yes | Yes | |
Greece | 12 | $90 | Yes | Yes | |
Hungria | 🆕 | 🆕 | Yes | Yes | |
Iceland | 6 | $60 | Yes | Yes | |
Indonesia | 🆕 | 🆕 | Yes | Yes | |
Italy | 🆕 | 🆕 | Yes | Yes | |
Latvia | 🆕 | 🆕 | Yes | Yes | |
Cayman Islands | 24 | $1470 | Yes | Yes | |
Seychelles Islands | 12 | $50 | Yes | Yes | |
Malta | 6 | $315 | Yes | Yes | |
Malaysia | 🆕 | 🆕 | Yes | Yes | |
Mauritius | 12 | $0 | Yes | Yes | |
Mexico | 12 | $45 | Yes | Yes | |
Montserrat | 12 | $500 | Yes | Yes | |
Norway | 48 | $630 | Yes | Yes | |
Panama | 9 | $300 | Yes | Yes | |
Portugal | 12 | $165 | Yes | Yes | |
Czech Republic | 12 | $165 | Yes | Yes | |
Romania | 12 | $125 | Yes | Yes | |
Saint Lucia | 12 | $70 | Yes | Yes | |
Spain | 12 | $85 | Travel insurance | Yes | |
Health insurance | |||||
Sri Lanka | 12 | $500 | Yes | Yes | |
Thailand | 🆕 | 🆕 | Yes | Yes |
Also, I recommend you to read our specific article on countries with digital nomad visas for more information.
That’s it! I hope you feel sufficiently informed to begin your application for the Malta digital nomad visa!
