Housing Costs in Malta
Rent is the biggest monthly outgoing for most residents in Malta. The island is small, so you have fewer location choices than in larger countries. Valletta is the capital, while Sliema and St Julian’s are the most popular areas for expats and tend to command higher rents.
What You Will Actually Pay:
- 1-Bedroom Apartment (City Centre): 1,024 euros (INR 1,14,454 approx.) per month.
- 1-Bedroom Apartment (Outside Centre): 849 euros (INR 94,894 approx.) per month.
- 3-Bedroom Apartment (City Centre): 1,712 euros (INR 1,91,353 approx.) per month.
- 3-Bedroom Apartment (Outside Centre): 1,369 euros (INR 1,53,015 approx.) per month.
Watch Out For Expenses:
- For your apartment in Malta, the security deposit is charged in advance. It is usually either 1 or 2 months’ rent upfront.
- Usually, there is a one-time setup fee for utility services like electricity, water and internet
- Water & Waste Charges: Sometimes included in rent, sometimes paid separately. Always check before check-in.
Utility Bills
By European standards, utility costs in Malta are moderate. The island’s moderate temperature lowers heating costs but the use of air conditioning in the summer might raise electricity bills.
- Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water and Garbage: Combined monthly utility bills for a standard apartment average around 92 euros (INR 10,262 approx.)
- Internet: 30 euros (INR 3,346 approx.) per month on average for an unlimited broadband plan.
- Mobile Phone Plan: 23 euros (INR 2,565 approx.) per month on average for a plan with calls and 10GB+ data.
Transportation Expenses
One of Malta’s most practical benefits for residents is its free public bus system. Maltese residents who register for a Tallinja card can travel on public buses for free. Visitors and tourists pay per trip.
Public Transport:
- Tallinja Card (Residents): Free unlimited bus travel for registered residents across the entire Malta and Gozo network.
- Single Journey Ticket (Visitors / Without Card): 2 euros (INR 223 approx.) per trip.
Car Ownership Reality:
- Economy Car (New): A new compact car, such as a Volkswagen Golf equivalent, is priced between 22,000 and 25,000 euros (INR 24,51,680 – INR 27,86,000 approx.) in Malta.
- Fuel per Litre: Currently among the lowest within the EU, typically 1.34 euros (INR 149 approx.).
Food and Groceries to Manage in Malta
Compared to other EU countries, grocery prices in Malta are much higher. Local seasonal produce and fish are the most affordable options.
Dining Out Prices:
- Fast Food Meal: 10 euros (INR 1,114 approx.) on average.
- Inexpensive Restaurant (meal for one): 15 euros (INR 1,672 approx.) on average.
- Mid-Range Restaurant (meal for two): 70 euros (INR 7,808 approx.) on average.
Sample Grocery Prices:
- Chicken fillet (per kilo): 4 to 12 euros (INR 446 – INR 1,338 approx.) on average.
- Bread (loaf): 1 to 2 euros (INR 111 – INR 222 approx.)
- Milk (per litre): 1 to 1.5 euros (INR 111– INR 167 approx.)
- Rice (per kilo): 1.70 to 5 euros (INR 189 – INR 557 approx.)
- Eggs (12): 1.80 to 4.58 euros (INR 200 – INR 510 approx.)
Education Costs
Malta offers various international education paths to its students. You have the option of attending public, church or even private schools.
Annual Tuition Fees (2025–26):
- State Schools (Maltese/EU Residents): Free of charge for residents.
- Church Schools: Free of charge, but parents are required to make a charitable contribution to the church. Contributions may be voluntary but usually range from 150 to 600 euros (INR 16,732 - 66,931 INR approx.) per child per year.
- Private or International Schools: 6,000 to 9,000 euros (INR 6,69,315 - INR 10,03,972 approx.) annually, depending on institution.
- University of Malta: Tuition is free for Maltese and EU students at the University of Malta under the government stipend scheme. However, a non-EU student should expect to pay around 6,500-10,000 euros ( 7,25,091- 11,15,525 INR approx.) annually for an undergraduate program.
Healthcare Expenses
Malta operates a public healthcare system. Mater Dei Hospital is the main facility, which is free for Maltese citizens and EU residents with a valid EHIC or residence status.
Insurance Costs:
- Private Health Insurance (Expats / Non-EU Residents): Ranges between 180 and 400 euros (20,079-44,621 INR approx.) annually.
Medical Costs Without Insurance:
- GP Visit (Public Health Centre): Free assistance.
- Private General Practitioner: 25 to 40 euros (INR 2,789 – INR 4,462 approx.) per consultation.
- Minor Surgery (Private): 100 to 500 euros (INR 11,155 – INR 55,776 approx.)
Entertainment and Leisure
Malta’s Mediterranean lifestyle means a lot of daily leisure is naturally low-cost; beaches, historic sites, and village festivals are largely free or very affordable.
Activities:
- Cinema Ticket: 8 to 14 euros (INR 892 – INR 1,561 approx.)
- Gym Membership: 30 to 83 euros (INR 3,346 – INR 9,258 approx.) per month
- Renting a tennis court (Hourly): 10 to 30 euros (1,115 - 3,346 INR approx.)
- Beach Access: Free across most of Malta’s coastline.
Clothing and Personal Care
Clothing in Malta is generally imported and priced in line with or slightly above Southern European averages. Most international high street brands are available in Sliema and Valletta.
Clothing:
- Jeans: 25 to 140 euros (INR 2,788 – INR 15,617 approx.)
- Trainers / Sneakers: 65 to 125 euros (INR 7,250 – INR 13,944 approx.)
- Summer Dress: 20 to 70 euros (INR 2,231 – INR 7,808 approx.)
Grooming:
- Men’s Haircut: 10 euros (INR 1,115 approx.)
- Women’s Haircut: 30 to 80 euros (INR 3,343 – INR 8,915 approx.)
- Hair Colouring: Starts from approximately 50 euros (INR 5,572 approx.) and varies significantly by salon and technique.
Childcare Services
Childcare availability has improved significantly in Malta recently, with the government’s free childcare scheme.
Childcare Costs:
- Government Free Childcare Scheme: If both parents of a ward are either employed or earning an education, their child is eligible for free childcare starting from 3 months of age until the child begins schooling.
- Private Nursery / Daycare: 200 to 708 euros (INR 22,310 - 78,979 approx.) per month per child.
- International Primary School (Annual): Average 4,000 to 13,500 euros (INR 4,46,210 - 15,05,958 approx.) per year.
Domestic Help:
- Nanny (Live-out): 8 to 15 euros (INR 892 – INR 1,673 approx.) per hour.
- Live-in Nannies: Full-time nannies typically earn 15,000 to 20,000 euros (INR 16,73,287 – INR 22,31,050 approx.) annually.
Other Regular Expenses
A few costs tend to catch newcomers off guard when setting up life in Malta.
Monthly Miscellaneous:
- Mobile Plan: 23 euros (INR 2,565 approx.) monthly on average.
- Visa / Residency Fees: Vary totally based on visa type and nationality.
Comparison with Other Countries
Malta is more expensive than its Southern European neighbours, such as Portugal and Greece, but less expensive than Northern European countries, such as the UK and Germany.
Advantages of Living in Malta:
- Indian expats find it easy to get by in places where English is widely spoken.
- Registered people can access public transportation and public healthcare free of charge.
- Childcare is free for employed or student parents.
- Being a Mediterranean country, the weather is very pleasant in Malta.
Where Costs Are Higher Compared to Other Countries:
- The heavy import dependency of the country makes day-to-day items expensive.
- Rents are skyrocketing in several cities in Malta.
- Traffic congestion adds significant time costs for car owners due to the island’s limited road network.
- Clothing and consumer goods are priced higher than in larger EU markets.
Money-Saving Strategies for Living in Malta
Managing expenses in Malta is very achievable with a few deliberate decisions.
Practical Cost-Reduction Tips:
- When you arrive, sign up for a Tallinja card to travel the island’s public buses for free.
- Opt for accommodation in places such as Birkirkara, Qormi or Hamrun instead of Sliema or St Julian’s and slash your rent by 20 to 40%.
- Shop at local markets and the Farmers’ Market in Ta’ Qali for fresh produce at significantly lower prices than supermarkets.
- Take advantage of the government’s free childcare scheme if you have young children; it covers full-day care for working parents.
- Cook at home regularly. Eating out in tourist-heavy areas like Valletta and Sliema is noticeably more expensive than local neighbourhood restaurants.
- Buy second-hand furniture and appliances from Facebook Marketplace or local classified sites to reduce one-time setup costs.
Expected Salaries in Malta
Malta’s job market is strongest in financial services, gaming and iGaming, tourism, and technology.
Average Monthly Salaries:
- Minimum Wage (As of 2026): 994 euros (INR 1,10,883 approx.) per month.
- Average Net Monthly Salary (After Tax): 1,608 euros (INR 1,79,376 approx.) per month.
- Financial Services: Typically 38,000 to 42,000 euros (INR 42,38,995 – INR 46,85,205 approx.) annually.
- iGaming services: 35,000 - 45,000 euros (INR 39,04,337 - 50,19,862 approx.) per year
Typical Employee Benefits:
- Statutory bonuses of 135.10 euros (15,070 INR approx.) are paid in March and September each year.
- Annual Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) applied to all wages.
- Paid annual leave of a minimum of 24 working days per year.
Conclusion
Malta is a destination for people looking for a mediterranean life within the EU. This country offers a high standard of living, with the cost of living excluding rent at INR 85,998 per month for an individual. Malta offers free world-class public transportation as well as free healthcare services to its residents.
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