Relocating your family to Malta is a different challenge from moving as an individual. The decisions are interconnected — your school choice affects your preferred area, your area affects your rental budget, your rental affects your residence permit application. Getting the sequencing right saves months of frustration.

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Residence Permits for Families

If you are relocating under the Global Residence Programme or another scheme, your spouse and dependent children are typically included in the application. For EU nationals, free movement rights apply and residence registration is straightforward. Non-EU families need to plan which programme applies and how dependants are included.

State-school admission and any applicable tuition-fee exemptions depend on the family’s immigration status and circumstances. Non-EU nationality does not automatically mean that private schooling is required.

International Schools in Malta

Malta has several well-established English-medium international schools. The main ones include:

  • St Edward’s College — IGCSE and IB Diploma Programme, Birgu
  • Verdala International School — IB curriculum, Pembroke
  • QSi International School — American curriculum, Mosta

Fees range from approximately €7,000–€18,000 per year depending on school, year group, and whether fees include extras. Waiting lists at the most popular schools are real — apply as early as possible, ideally 6–12 months before your intended start date.

The Housing Market

Malta’s rental market is tight, particularly for quality family housing in desirable areas. The most popular areas for international families are Sliema, St Julian’s, Swieqi, Balluta, and Lija. Gozo offers more space at lower cost if you can manage the ferry commute.

Typical rental costs for a 3-bedroom apartment or townhouse in a good area: €1,800–€3,500 per month. Quality properties are taken quickly. Engage a reputable local agent and be ready to commit once you find the right property.

One important note: your rental agreement will be required for your residence permit application, your bank account application, and your children’s school applications. Secure housing early and make sure the contract is properly documented.

Healthcare

Malta has a functioning public healthcare system (Mater Dei Hospital is the main facility) and a growing private healthcare sector. Access to publicly funded healthcare depends on eligibility. Families should confirm their entitlement and arrange any insurance required for their circumstances and residence programme. For an overview of how the public system is structured, see Malta’s Ministry for Health.

Health insurance for a family of four typically costs €300–€600 per month for comprehensive private coverage.

What Families Relocating to Malta Often Underestimate

Beyond schools and housing, relocating your family to Malta tends to come with two underestimated challenges: the paperwork chain and the settling-in period. Several processes depend on each other in sequence — a bank reference letter often needs a rental agreement, a school application often needs proof of address, and a residence card application often needs both. Starting each step in isolation, without mapping how they connect, is the single most common source of delay we see.

The settling-in period itself typically takes longer than people expect, even once the paperwork is complete. Registering with a local doctor, understanding refuse collection and utilities, and finding a rhythm for school runs and shopping usually takes a full term before it feels routine. Families who plan for this adjustment period — rather than expecting to be fully settled within the first few weeks — tend to find the transition considerably less stressful.

Combining Relocation With a Malta Company Setup

Many families relocating to Malta are doing so alongside setting up or relocating a business, and the two processes benefit from being planned together rather than separately. If that applies to you, our guide to Malta company formation covers what the business side of the move involves, from incorporation through to banking.

The Timeline

A realistic family relocation timeline from decision to arrival: 4–6 months. This accounts for school applications, finding and securing a rental, preparing residence permit documentation, and any business setup running in parallel. Trying to compress this significantly creates unnecessary stress without proportionate benefit.

Sources: Ministry for Education, One Stop Shop; Verdala International School.
Last reviewed: 31 October 2026