Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared on Live and Invest Overseas.
Malta has always intrigued me.
Thanks to its central location in the Mediterranean, this little island nation has a complicated history. Over the centuries, every regional power has wanted to control the islands of Malta… from the Phoenicians in the seventh century B.C. to Carthage, Rome, the Vandals, the Byzantines, the Ottomans, and, most recently, the Germans and the Italians in World War II.
Malta remains a sought-after destination, though no longer among those who would try to rule it.
Today Malta, part of the European Union, is an offshore haven, an interesting choice for someone looking to establish residency, set up a corporation, open a bank account, and pay no or little local tax, all in a country where English is one of the official languages.
Dramatic scenery
The Maltese archipelago (made up of three main islands) is one of Europe’s smallest countries but it has a lot to offer.
Its rugged coastline boasts dramatic cliffs and tiny coves dotted with ancient forts and quaint fishing harbors. Inland, walls of coffee froth dry stone separate fields cut into strips of olives, wheat, and potatoes. Wine production is also popular and vines hang heavy with grapes all over the island.
Malta’s Mediterranean location means its scenery changes dramatically over the course of the year. The islands enjoy a daily average of around 12 hours of sunshine in summer going down to five to six hours in midwinter. It makes for a landscape that switches from green and verdant to dry and parched in the height of the summer.
The official language
The Maltese language, Malti, is thought to derive from the language of the ancient Phoenicians who arrived in Malta in 750 B.C. Peppered with many foreign words, particularly English, Italian, and Arabic, it has been a source of fascination for linguists and historians for many years in that it is the only Semitic language written in Latin characters.
English, however, is also an official language and is widely and fluently spoken.
The level of English fluency among the population is remarkable—literally everyone is fluent. And it’s not just used in casual conversation—business, banking, and legal affairs are all conducted in English.
A modern nation
Although steeped in history, Malta is very much a modern European nation. The standard of education in Malta is high and its people are industrious and outward looking.
Another big positive for anyone planning on spending time here is that Malta has a fantastic standard of medical care. The island is home to a number of state-of-the-art public and private facilities with highly-trained staff who are all fluent in English.
While healthcare coverage normally comes as a residency requirement for foreigners, you can expect to pay considerably less than you would in the United States.
U.S. and Canadian citizens are automatically granted a 90-day tourist visa when entering Malta. For longer stays, there are a number of residency and citizenship options on offer.
