Visa for Digital Nomads in Malta: Who can apply?

If you’re interested in traveling and visiting another country while working or continuing your daily work routine, then the visa for Digital Nomads in Malta may be for you. But do you know how to apply for a visa for Digital Nomads in Malta? So, today we will explain everything you need to know and more. This way you can make your dreams come true.

Surely, you’re wondering why Malta? We tell you that in this country, it will be very easy for you to live and get to know its landscapes, culture, and traditions while working remotely. You will not only have excellent an quality internet access, but also you’ll be able to get a visa more easily.

What is a Digital Nomad?

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, it became a necessity to implement remote work or from home to comply with the sanitary isolation measures, which promoted the digital nomad lifestyle around the world.

In simple words, a digital nomad is a professional who works from anywhere in the world while traveling, discovering, and visiting the destinations that have always dreamed of. As there’s no need for an office, a digital nomad can work from wherever they are, as long as they have a stable and reliable internet connection.

Living in Malta and working remotely

Malta is a wonderful place to live and work remotely because if we mention the cost of living, it’s much cheaper than other countries in the European Union. In addition, the government has promoted various programs dedicated to improving working conditions for entrepreneurs, freelancers, or remote workers from abroad and from the region.

In Malta, there are different coworking spaces with activities and events for foreigners, which aim to motivate digital nomads so that they can consider continuing with their work/travel life within the country, which even favors the local and national economy.

Benefits of being a Digital Nomad

Living in Malta as a Digital Nomad has many benefits, but we will highlight the most important ones so that you can learn a little about it:

• You could learn more than one language: In Malta, you’ll have the opportunity to strengthen your language skills as far as English is concerned. But you could also learn other languages, such as French, Italian, or German since some of its citizens practice these languages as a second or third language.
• Excellent weather: One of the benefits of being a Digital Nomad in Malta is that you will enjoy wonderful weather all year round. Malta is an island in the Mediterranean, which is synonymous with a sunny, warm climate and is great for outdoor activities.
• Quality of life: By being a Digital Nomad in Malta, you can considerably improve your quality of life. Moreover, it’s very easy to find accommodation, move on public transport, or access the healthcare system.
• Sense of security: Malta is the second-safest country in the world, which is an unrivaled advantage for those looking for a quiet place to live.

Disadvantages

As in any place in the world, in Malta some disadvantages make the experience a little less pleasant, you will soon be able to find out about them:

• Eternal summer: Summer weather can be considered an advantage for many people, but for others, it may not. On the island, temperatures could be very high, even reaching 40 °C, which results in beaches full of tourists and locals to counteract the heat.
• Friendships: As in any move, you’ll have to make new friends when you arrive in Malta, and many of these people may be passing through, since as we mentioned before, Malta is a country that receives many tourists throughout the year.

How to get a visa for digital nomads in Malta

The visa for Digital Nomads in Malta offers the opportunity to have a temporary residency permit to stay in the country for one year, renewable for up to three years. Although if you prefer a shorter permit, you can get a national visa from 91 to 180 days.

To apply for the visa for Digital Nomads in Malta, you must meet the following requirements:

• Not be a citizen of the European Union.
• Being a remote worker or freelancer.
• Reach a gross monthly income threshold of $2,700 USD.
• Hold a valid passport.
• Have valid medical insurance in the European Union.
• Hold a valid property rental or purchase agreement in Malta.
• Pass a background verification check.

If you meet the above requirements, you must send your application to the Residency Malta Agency email (nomad.residencymalta@gov.mt) with the following documents:

• Copy of Passport (including blank pages).
• Form 1.
• Letter of Intent stating why you’re applying. In addition, you must include how long you want to stay in the country.
• Proof of remote work (via employment or client contracts, business ownership, etc.)
• Euro Pass CV or similar.
• Marriage certificate if you plan to include your partner in the application as a dependent.
• Proof of accommodation (following approval in principle).
• Bank statements from the last 6 months.
• Proof of health insurance coverage in Malta.
• Health declaration signed by you.

After sending the documents, you must wait for a response from the agency. In case of receiving a positive response, the agency will reach out to you to continue with the process.

How much does the visa for Digital Nomads in Malta cost?

The visa costs $300, and the application process can take up to 30 business days.

Throughout the process, the Digital Nomad may include members of his/her family, such as a partner or children, who will be considered dependents of the applicant. If this is your case, you must also fill out Form 2 and send it together with Form 1.

How do Digital Nomads in Malta connect to the internet?

Certainly, to fulfill your work obligations as a Digital Nomad, you must have an excellent internet connection. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be able to carry out your daily tasks at work. For this reason, we invite you to find out how Digital Nomads in Malta connect to the internet.

eSIM with unlimited data for Malta

The eSIM is one of the most popular tools to connect to the internet today. You can get unlimited data throughout the Maltese territory without added charges.

With the Holafly eSIM, you’ll be able to connect to the internet from the moment you land in the country, thus avoiding paying for the roaming service since you can activate the virtual card just before traveling.

You can buy an eSIM for a period of 5 to 90 days, which will help you explore and adventure a large part of the island, and at the same time the coworking spaces or temporary offices where you want to work.

Local SIM card for Malta

The SIM or traditional card is one of the most sought-after options by those looking to stay for a long time in the Maltese territory. These types of microchips must be purchased or obtained through the different telephone operator stores in the country, which you can find at airports or in the main shopping centers. 

Pocket WiFi

The Pocket WiFi is a wireless device that can be rented from the companies that offer this service. With this device, you can connect up to 5 devices at the same time, since it works like a router, like the ones most of us have at home.

The disadvantage of these devices is that they tend to be very expensive because you not only have to pay to rent the device, but you also have to take out insurance against damage or loss and you have to pay the shipping fee.

Local internet

The local internet in Malta is excellent, making it one of the most common ways to connect to the web. 
Our main recommendation is that you avoid connecting to public networks since many of them offer little to no security. Therefore, it could be counterproductive when it comes to protecting your data against identity theft or malware.

Other countries that also have a visa for digital nomads

• Anguilla
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Aruba
• Barbados
• Bermuda
• Brazil
• Cabo Verde
• Cayman Islands
• Colombia
• Costa Rica
• Croatia
• Curaçao
• Cyprus
• Czech Republic
• Dominica
• Dubai
• Ecuador
• Estonia
• Georgia
• Germany
• Greece
• Grenada
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Indonesia
• Italy
• Letonia
• Malaysia
• Mauritius
• Mexico
• Norway
• Panama
• Portugal
• Romania
• Spain
• Thailand

FAQs

Finally, we share with you some of the most frequently asked questions about the visa for Digital Nomads in Malta: