Malta recently tied first place with Zimbabwe for the best climate in the world. Both countries are English-speaking with Malta having a remittance based tax system, residence schemes enjoying a flat 15% tax rate for pensions and other income, excellent health care and fantastic sea views. This study was part of a yearly exercise that ranks 192 countries for a Quality of Life Index in nine categories.
With an average of 5.2 hours of sunshine a day even in December, Malta is politically stable, has great attractions and a low crime rate. This attracts foreigners to come in droves. “Malta is historically a melting pot, but never more so than now. Expats will inevitably bump into expats given Malta’s size—roughly twice the size of Washington D.C. It’s easy to socialize with your countrymen. And according to the latest E.U. statistics, most of Malta’s recent population growth is attributable to incoming foreigners,” says Liz Ayling who has lived in Malta for nearly 10 years.
Malta is in the center of the Mediterranean Sea, 60 miles south from the Italian island of Sicily. Spring starts around late February and the temperature nudges 16 degrees Celsius even in November. Around 400,000 Maltese live on the largest, more sophisticated island of Malta and homes here attract an international society as do the historic harbours and five-star hotels.
Property taxes are inexistent and the U.S. expats who benefit most from living here are those who somehow retain some earnings from elsewhere and then elect to get taxed in Malta, at 15%.
Within 90 minutes one can reach Sicily via a ferry service or alternatively make use of daily flights to numerous European destinations and be there within a few hours, for example Rome is only 90 minutes away from the Luqa airport.
In fact, Malta is a truly desirable retirement haven. Just ask expat Barbara Bode who was interviewed for this year’s Quality of Life Index. She grew to love the lifestyle, food and quality of life when she lived on Malta. “The sunny, hot summers marked by fireworks announcing Saints’ Day festivals of music, dancing, and food… Every day is like a holiday,” she says.
International Living - Quality of life index 2011
Related publications:
- Malta High Net Worth Residence Scheme - European Nationals
- Malta High Net Worth Residence Scheme - Swiss Nationals
- Malta Tax Residence Scheme for HNWIs from Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein
- Malta High Net Worth Residence Scheme - Non-European Nationals
- Ordinary Residence Scheme
