Malta

Geography

The five Maltese islands—Malta, Gozo, Comino, Comminotto, and Filfla have a combined land area smaller than Philadelphia. Malta is located in the Mediterranean Sea, about 60 mi (97 km) south of the southeast tip of Sicily.

History

The strategic importance of Malta was recognized by the Phoenicians, who occupied it, as did, in turn, the Greeks, Carthaginians, and Romans. The apostle Paul was shipwrecked there in A.D. 60. With the division of the Roman Empire in A.D. 395, Malta was assigned to the eastern portion dominated by Constantinople. Between 870 and 1090, it came under Arab rule. In 1091, the Norman noble Roger I, then ruler of Sicily, came to Malta with a small retinue and defeated the Arabs. The Knights of St. John (Malta), who obtained the three habitable Maltese islands of Malta, Gozo, and Comino from Charles V in 1530, reached their highest fame when they withstood an attack by superior Turkish forces in 1565. Napoléon seized Malta in 1798, but the French forces were ousted by British troops the next year, and British rule was confirmed by the Treaty of Paris in 1814.

Malta was heavily attacked by German and Italian aircraft during World War II but was never invaded by the Axis powers. It became an independent nation on Sept. 21, 1964, and a republic on Dec. 13, 1974, but it remained in the British Commonwealth. In 1979, when its alliance with Great Britain ended, Malta sought to guarantee its neutrality through agreements with other countries. Although Malta applied for membership in the European Union, when the Labour Party won the election in Oct. 1996, it froze Malta's EU application and withdrew from the NATO Partnership for Peace program in an effort to maintain its neutrality. When the Nationalist Party won the Sept. 1998 elections, however, it revived the EU accession bid, and in May 2004 Malta joined the EU. In July 2005, it ratified the proposed EU constitution.

Living in Malta

Imagine a Mediterranean island where summers are long and golden, winters are mild and the warmth of the people is legendary. Picture yourself in a place where you and your family can enjoy the highest living standards, amidst colorful local culture and a landscape steeped in history. Escape to a haven which basks in sunshine, lapped by waters of the clearest blue. The land of your dreams is Malta - and there are excellent practical reasons for making this enchanted island your permanent or holiday home or business relocation destination.

Attractive residency schemes

The government of Malta encourages overseas purchasers to buy property on the island for use as a permanent residence or holiday home -  a policy which has been upheld by successive administrations. For those wishing to take up Permanent Residence status, financial requirements are modest. Pensions are freely transferable to Malta from abroad. 

Tax advantages

The Permanent Residency scheme entitles property owners to pay income tax in Malta at the unusually low rate of 15%. Companies can also benefit from attractive tax incentives. Both Temporary and Permanent Residents benefit from double taxation agreements which exist with the majority of western countries. These ensure that tax is not charged on the same income twice.

High standards of health care

Malta has excellent medical facilities, including well-equipped state and privately owned hospitals run by highly qualified doctors and staff. Reciprocal health care agreements exist between Malta and some countries, resulting in treatment at normal or no cost.

Low cost of living

Annual living costs in Malta are substantially lower than the U.K., Spain, Portugal, France, Italy and Cyprus.  No annual rates or property taxes

Easy integration in local society

Non-Maltese residents have made their homes throughout Malta in towns, villages and even the smallest hamlets. They are readily welcomed and accepted by the local people, most of whom speak good English, and it is easy for them to become actively involved in a wide range of social, sporting and cultural activities. Permanent Residents may even vote in local council elections. Children can obtain a high standard of education at a number of excellent private schools. 


A safe environment

The crime rate is low. Children can play outside in absolute safety, and all areas are safe to walk or drive around at night. It is not unusual for locals to leave their front door key in the lock! 

An ideal business location

Malta is a tax efficient business location with a broad range of financial and support services, complemented by excellent telecommunications and air connections. There is economic and political stability, and it is easy to recruit well-educated staff. There are no ethnic problems.

Language

Malta has two official languages, Maltese and English. The English language is a leftover of about 160 years of British colonisation of Malta. Maltese, whose closest languages are Maghrebi Arabic, Syrian, Lebanese and Palestinian, is the only Semitic language which is written in Roman alphabet. Italian, too, is widely spoken among the younger generation, particularly due to the television programs which are transmitted from nearby Italy.

Business and Finance

Malta has gone a long way from being a strategic landmark on the military maps of long-gone empires to a strategic location in today's globalised business community. When it obtained its independence from Britian in 1964 Malta had to wake up and transform its economy based on military spending by foreign powers in Malta to a peace-time economy. Manufacturing and tourism where the first industries to emerge, but today the Maltese Islands are levering more on their strategic presence in the centre of the Mediterranean with the concept of being a hub in such sectors are tourism, financial services, transport and telecommunications. New horizons are being sought with Malta's application to join the European Union. Regardless, liberalisation and innovation are the goal of Malta's economy while making the best out of the splendid human resources which the country counts on to prosper.

USEFUL ONLINE INFORMATION & TOOLS

News

AMEDIA NEWS (includes daily foreign exchange and stock prices)

Weather

Weather in Malta

Malta's National Airline For cheap flights to Malta - www.airmalta.com

Current job lists, apply online, submit CV for Malta jobs. - www.joblinkmalta.com

Free Legal Information & Research on All Law Subjects. FindLaw - www.FindLaw.com

For visa and work permit information. - http://www.gov.mt