WHERE IS MALTA? – THE EUROPE’S SOUTHERN TRADE GATEWAY

Where is Malta? – Located between Sicily and the coast of North Africa, Malta is a country known for its ancient historical sites, pleasant climate, friendly people and fascinating natural scenery. This is also a country with a strong and prosperous economy, especially in the service sector, tourism and maritime industries, which bring in a large source of income every year.

Where is Malta?

When thinking of the question: ”Where is Malta?”, many people will immediately think of the country located in the heart of the vast Mediterranean. More specifically, Malta is also the border between Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.

Malta is divided into three main islands: Malta, Gozo and Comino, located just 95 kilometers south of Sicily and 290 kilometers off the coast of North Africa.

In addition, when wondering about ”Where is Malta?”, one can imagine the coast as picturesque as it is surrounded by many harbors, bays, creeks, sandy and rocky beaches. It takes about 2 to 3 hours to reach Malta by air from most European cities.

Flights from Malta to major cities across Europe such as Rome, London, Paris, Madrid, etc. take a short time and are extremely convenient for travel and cultural interchange. Specifically, when flying from Malta to Rome only takes 1 hour, equal to the flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Phu Quoc. Besides, the flight time from Malta to Paris or Milan takes about 2.5 hours, equivalent to going from Hanoi to Can Tho. 

As an EU member state as well as part of the Schengen area, Malta’s visa requirements are also in line with European Union (EU) policy. Transportation services include high-speed train services for passengers, cars and heavy vehicles connecting to Valletta and Sicily. In addition, there are other ferry services connecting Valletta with Italy and North Africa.

How is life in Malta?

In addition to being interested in the question ”Where is Malta?”, investors are also very interested in ”How is life in Malta?” In Malta, the ideal life brings an indescribable attraction. Malta attracts millions of tourists every year. In 2018, 2.6 million people visited the country reached a new record, up 14% from the previous year. Tourism accounts for 27.1% of GDP, significantly higher than 10.3% in Europe and 10.4% of world GDP. Therefore, it is not surprising that Malta is in the top 2 most livable countries in the world.

With many favors from nature and strong growth in the service sector and tourism industries, Malta is ranked 3rd in the world with the most adaptable life.

The health and welfare policy in Malta is also extremely perfect. Therefore, Malta has been ranked in the top 4 of the countries with the best quality of life for the elderly in Europe and the top 5 countries with a high-quality health system worldwide (according to the report of the World Health Organization). Education in Malta has grown tremendously. The percentage of students studying in Malta with graduate employment ranks first in the European Union (96.9%).

Economically, Malta is the only country that participates in all four major organizations in the world: the European Union (EU), the Eurozone, the Commonwealth, and the Schengen Area. Therefore, Malta possesses the entire financial system, tax incentives, healthcare and education similar to developed countries such as UK, Canada, Australia,… Compulsory education in Malta is from 4- 16 years old. Free for all students studying in the public system, even free transportation for students.

Therefore, every time we talk about “Where is Malta?”, it is easy to imagine that this is a country with many achievements in terms of economy, health, education and culture.

Cost of living and quality of life in Malta

According to the website mylifeelsewhere.com (Free Question and Answer Based Forum to discuss life in countries and cities around the world), there is a disparity in living in Malta and Vietnam specifically as follows:

• Live longer than 6.8 years: In Malta, the average life expectancy is 80 years (78 years for men, 83 years for women). In Vietnam, that number is 74 years old (71 years old for men, 76 years old for women).
• Reduces risk of death by 6 times in childbirth: In Malta, about 9/1000 women pass away in childbirth. In Vietnam, this number is 54.
• 83.6% higher income: Malta has a GDP per capita of $42,000, while in Vietnam is $6,900.
• Paying lower secondary school tuition for 1 child, two semesters less than 3.9%: In Vietnam, the average tuition fee is $8698.16, and in Malta it will be $8076.38.

Thus, living in Malta offers a higher assurance for Vietnamese people in terms of life expectancy, quality of life, health care, income and the future of children.

The similarities between life in Malta and in Vietnam

• The health system in Malta

Many public hospitals in Malta are as large and clean as the large international hospitals in Vietnam. Although crowded with patients, the atmosphere is comfortable and dedicated, not too crowded and noisy like public hospitals in Vietnam.

The system of facilities, medical services, health care… are all very modern. The criteria of the public hospitals here are to bring the most comfort to the patients while being treated. Malta deserves the 5th ranked medical system in the world.

• Maltese education system

Currently, in Malta, the tuition fee for kindergarten is about 615 EUR/semester, 3 semesters per year. Tuition for the highest high school is about 5,000EUR/year. The Maltese government also fully sponsors travel expenses, so students from grade 1 will go to school by free bus, and kindergarten will be picked up. Thus, even studying at a private school here is still cheaper than tuition at private schools and international schools in Vietnam.

Maltese universities are large in size and equipped with many modern teaching facilities. On the campus, there are many chairs for students to sit and relax after studying.

The most impressive thing is that the students in Malta always have a confident and energetic spirit and the teachers are highly qualified and extremely friendly. Maltese students with all ages are allowed to participate in sports, cultural activities, and discussions.

• Where to go to the supermarket and dine? Is the food here expensive?

Malta has a lot of food and utensils from Asia. There is also an Asian King supermarket selling Asian goods. Malta also has China Town, a Thai restaurant ranked in the top 10 most beautiful restaurants in Malta. Besides, Malta provides fresh vegetables and fruits, extremely fresh and high-quality fish and seafood. The supermarket also sells many typical Vietnamese spices such as soy sauce, fish sauce, etc. Many dishes are familiar to Vietnamese people: rice paper, durian, even spring rolls in Vietnamese. Food prices here are also very affordable but the quality is completely assured.

There are also a lot of Asians living in Malta. Going on the streets of Malta, you can easily see Thai, Japanese, Chinese restaurants,… This can also be an opportunity for Vietnamese guests to come to Malta and open a restaurant.

Malta Permanent Residence Program (MPRP)

The Malta Permanent Resident Program (MPRP) offers the opportunity for foreign nationals to obtain a permanent resident card and can visa-free entry into the Schengen Area, the European Union (EU).

The Malta Permanent Residence Program (MPRP) is the most feasible and effective way for four-generation families to gain permanent residency in Malta and freedom of movement and residency in Europe in just 6 – 8 months.

Benefits of the Malta Investment Program include:

• Get permanent residency for the whole family of 4 generations
• Be entitled to participate in real estate investment in Malta
• Freedom to move, travel to 26 countries in the Schengen area
• Freedom to live, study and work in Malta
• Only invest after receiving the Malta Immigration Department’s Letter of Approval
• Free education up to grade 12, at all public schools

(*) Official information of the Malta Immigration Authority (RMA) about the Malta Permanent Residence Program (MPRP), please see HERE

Conclusion

Malta is a country of interest to many investors because of its high quality of life and its cultural, political and economic development. The Malta Investment Program is seen as the key for investors to expand economic development in Europe. Especially the opportunity to become a citizen of the European Union.

Portico & Bridge is a leading European immigration consultant, with more than 35 years of experience and a team of more than 50 professionals worldwide.

We here have Dr. Michaela Millo, who has been granted the AKM license by the Malta Immigration Authority (RMA). The license number is AKM-MILLO-21.

For more information about the Malta Permanent Residence program, please contact Portico & Bridge for detailed assistance. Call us now at 0909.898.758

At PORTICO & BRIDGE, “Your Children, We Care”.