Malta's Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, at a press conference held today at Castille, announced a set of measures intended to regulate matters in the event that the UK leaves the EU without securing a deal. Dr Muscat said that Malta wants to be the most UK-friendly country once Brexit happens on March 29, 2019. Whilst regretting that the UK would leave the EU, Malta wanted to be prepared in case that this happens without a deal in place. It is estimated that there are around 13,000 UK nationals living in Malta of whom 5,000 are employed by Maltese companies or companies based in Malta. The government, Dr Muscat said, will ensure that all government entities ensure a smooth transition for UK nationals living and working in Malta.
Malta - Brexit: UK Nationals’ Voting Rights in Malta
EU nationals residing in Malta have the right to vote in local elections, and in case of a no-deal Brexit, UK nationals living in Malta will continue to have the right to vote in local council elections.
Malta - Brexit: Upholding the 1975 Health Agreement
The agreement signed between Malta and the UK in 1975 will remain in place and unaffected by Brexit. Apart from this the Medical Council would be introducing a fast track registration system to register professionals coming to work in Malta from the UK. Although the number of Maltese patients going to the UK for treatment has decreased, some still need to travel to the UK for treatment, and Malta wants to keep these good relations in the health sector.
UK nationals living and working in Malta after Brexit
In the case of a no-deal Brexit, Malta will be implementing a 10-year residency permit for British citizens. Even though UK nationals will be considered as non-EU citizens, Malta will be implementing a 10-year residency permit which will allow UK nationals the right to continue living, working and studying in Malta. Such residency permit will be a preferential one since it will only be available to UK citizens. Unlike other residence permits issued to non-EU nationals, such permits will be issued for ten years, longer than any other residence permits which are usually issued either for one year or five years.
As a result of such measures, workers would be able to continue to work in Malta, students will be able to study, and residents will be able to continue living on the island.
