Announced in June 2021, Malta’s digital nomad visa was music to the ears of warm-weather-loving remote workers from around the world. The country has long been the perfect platform for entrepreneurs and online business bases thanks to the island's tax haven benefits. But there’s more to Malta than just making sense of balancing the books—blue water, white sand beaches, historic architecture, and classic Mediterranean dishes are all welcomed by wandering nomads. 

Now, with a digital nomad visa offering long-term stays between six months and one year up for grabs, we’re expecting hordes of remote workers to make their way to Malta in search of much-loved island life. From the minimum monthly income bracket to the visa application fee charged—find out everything you need to know about the Malta digital nomad visa in our guide to remote working in the country. 

What is the Malta Digital Nomad Visa?

The Malta digital nomad visa follows the pattern of similar European remote working solutions—allowing remote workers to live and work in the country for between six months and one year. 

The Maltese digital nomad visa is only available to non-EU nationals, allowing travelers outside of the Schengen Zone to visit the island without strict time restrictions. To qualify for the Malta digital nomad visa, all applicants must prove to be remote workers, whether that be as a freelancer, a business owner, or an employee, providing that the company is located outside of the island. 

Why is the Malta Digital Nomad Visa Better Than a Tourist Visa?

The main benefit of the Malta digital nomad is simply the length of time that can be spent on the island by remote workers. 

The island of Malta is one of the 26 countries that makes up the Schengen Zone—making it simple for EU nationals to visit and stay in the country. In fact, Maltese officials currently estimate that there are more than 1,000 digital nomads, mostly made up of EU nationals, currently living and working in the country. 

Due to the restrictions of the Schengen Zone, non-EU nationals are only permitted to spend 90 days out of every 180 inside of the entire Schengen Zone, not just Malta. With the new Malta digital nomad visa, remote workers will no longer be subject to the tricky Schengen terms and can relax, without any Schengen calculators, for between six months and one year. 

Malta Digital Nomad Visa Requirements 

Although it may sound too good to be true, the remote working visa does come with a handful of requirements that nomads must meet. The Malta digital nomad visa is open to all non-EU nationals that satisfy the following criteria:

• Valid Passport: The applicant's passport must be valid for the entire visa duration.
• Proof of Remote Work: Applicants must provide evidence of remote work (freelancer, business owner, entrepreneur) from outside of Malta.
• €2,700 Minimum Monthly Income: All applicants are required to meet the minimum monthly income requirement of at least €2,700 per month. 20% Increase for each additional family member (e.g. €3,240 for a spouse).‍
• Health Insurance: All applicants must provide evidence of health insurance with coverage in Malta.  

How to Apply 

The Malta digital nomad visa is one of the easiest to apply for and, unlike a number of other remote working visas, can be completed online. There is no need to visit a Maltese embassy or consulate and remote workers can simply follow our step-by-step guide when applying. 

Step 1: Collect all Necessary Documents

The first step to applying for the Maltese digital nomad visa is to collect all of the documents necessary for a successful application. Non-EU nationals must gather the following when applying for the visa: 

• Copy of valid passport
• Letter of intent 
• Proof of income (bank statements from the last three months)
• Proof of remote work (employment contract, business ownership, freelance proof)
• Signed health declaration
• Proof of health insurance covering Malta 
• Europass CV

Step 2: Complete and Submit the Visa Application

After compiling all of the necessary documents, nomads are then able to complete the online application process.

First, the GDPR form must be completed, shortly followed by the application form, confirming the remote working submission. Once completed and signed, these can be emailed to the Residency Malta Agent along with the additional necessary documents. 

All application forms must be typed—any handwritten documents will not be accepted. There is an application fee of €300 that must be paid by all applicants. 

Step 3: Await Approval of the Malta Digital Nomad Visa

Once submitted, nomads are simply required to await their approval of the Malta digital nomad visa. Current processing times are estimated at 30 days following application submission. 

Why Choose Malta for Your Next Remote Working Trip?

Using the 2021 Legatum Prosperity Index, an annual independent study utilizing more than 100 different indexes to evaluate countries, Malta ranks a high 25th out of the 167 total countries included in the study. 

In addition to rubbing shoulders with Spain and Slovenia in the rankings, Malta is, of course, a Mediterranean island. This roughly translates to fantastic weather, gorgeous beaches, phenomenal seafood, and a great selection of adventure sports to fill your time with. 

Mdina Old City has to be the number one place to visit in Malta, but the National Museum of Archaeology is a real must for history lovers. The Hagar Qim Temples are another highlight of a short stay, but you really can’t beat living long-term in the historic city.

There’s more to Malta than a single island and the region is what is known as an archipelago. The Idyllic Island of Gozo, away from the mainland, is well worth a visit, as is the gorgeous Santa Maria Bay on the north coast of Comino. With a boat at your disposal, there’s no limit to the exploration (both above and below sea level, if you’re a keen diver) in Malta.

Remote Work Culture in Malta

With an estimated nomad count of more than 1,000 before the remote working visa was announced, it’s no surprise that Malta offers fantastic facilities for digital nomads. 

The capital of Valletta is among the most popular working destinations on the island, but coworking spaces and well-priced accommodations can be sourced throughout the island. SOHO Office, 230 Works, and EVOLVE Coliving prove to be some of the most popular examples of workstations to choose from. 

Internet speeds on the island are strong and those with work calls, digital uploads, or serious streaming will be pleased to find reliable connections. 

Cost of Living and Quality of Life in Malta 

The cost of living in Malta is approximately 21.0% lower than in the United States, which makes it a great base for digital nomads.

The approximate average monthly living cost for a single remote worker (without rent) in the country is $750 USD. This figure increases to the value of approximately $2,750 (without rent) for a family of four. The average rental figures in Malta are considerably lower than in the States with a 49.3% difference in equivalent property prices. 

Surprisingly, the quality of life in Malta is actually rated as moderate-to-low with an overall score of 111.9 out of a possible total score of 240. The island performs well in terms of the climate index, the cost of living index, and the traffic commute time index. However, the same cannot be said for purchasing power, pollution, and property prices in the country, resulting in a lower quality of life score. 

Healthcare in Malta

Using the 2021 Legatum Prosperity Index, Malta is listed incredibly highly in the health pillar, sitting in 11th position out of 167 different countries. The health pillar is comprised of every aspect of healthcare on the island, ranging from access to healthcare services to illness outcomes. Ultimately, health in Malta is rated similarly to Sweden and Switzerland in the study. 

When applying for the Maltese digital nomad visa, all applicants are required to show proof of health insurance with coverage in the country. 

Conclusion 

Malta has long been a hotspot for digital nomads looking for a taste of the Mediterranean.

With more than an estimated 1,000 remote workers living in Malta, it was only a matter of time before the country saw the visa opportunity and opened its borders to remote workers. In June 2021, that all-important nomad visa was officially announced, offering a fantastic opportunity for remote workers. 

The Maltese digital nomad visa is only available to non-EU nationals and, as the country is in the Schengen Zone, removes the 90/180-day rule for those looking to visit. Not only does this allow for digital nomads to spend more time on the island, but levels the playing field for all nationalities looking to work from Malta. 

The visa application process is a breeze and, unlike many other European nomad visas, does not require an in-person appointment. Instead, all it takes is an online form and a quick email to apply for the remote working visa.

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