Country Background:
Country Background:
- The 2 official languages of Malta are English and Maltese.
- It is a constitutional republic and parliamentary democracy, and the Prime Minister is the head of the Government.
- The country is a member of the major international organizations including the United Nations and the Council of Europe, the International Monetary Fund and is a member of the European Union as well as the Eurozone and the Schengen Area.
- The currency is the Euro.
- The island’s international airport is modern and efficient; connecting the island to most European cities via major airlines.
- The country has a warm Mediterranean climate with hot dry summers, short mild winters and a warm sunny spring, and autumn with adequate rainfall. The temperature is very stable.
- The capital of Malta is Valletta, which is the smallest national capital in the European Union
Having a Malta passport and dual citizenship benefits your future generations with increased political and economic freedom, as well as significant educational opportunities in the West.
History
Malta has a rich history spanning over 7 millenaries and has often played a crucial role due to its strategic location in the Mediterranean Sea.
Over the years, the Phoenicians, the Carthaginians, the Romans, the Byzantines, the Arabs, the Spanish, the French, the Italians and the British have ruled the islands.
Language
The main business language in the Maltese islands is English.
For official purposes, both Maltese and English are recognised and given equal status and use in Government.
Maltese is of Semitic origin written in Latin script. Over the centuries and the various dominations, it has incorporated words derived from English, Italian and French.
Climate
Malta’s climate is typical of the Mediterranean, with mild rainy winters and hot dry summers. The archipelago enjoys 300 days of sunshine per year, with a daily average of 6 hours’ sunshine in mid-winter, to more than 12 hours in summer.
Lifestyle
The island’s small size facilitates everything on a daily basis from a day at work to relaxation at the beach. Archaeological sites, cultural monuments and other historical treasures attract people to discover the Maltese history. For those who enjoy nightlife activities,, many bars, restaurants, cafes, discotheques and casinos offer a large range of choices.
Many sporting activities can be enjoyed including tennis, golf, sailing, windsurfing, horse riding and diving. During summer every locality celebrates its parish patron saint during the village feast.
Everything in Malta is close and easily accessible. Living in Malta is a unique experience, especially for those used to hectic city environments and long travels between work and home. The island’s small size and wealth of entertainment options mean that in Malta, it is possible to have everything in one day, being a day at work, a good work out, and relaxation at the beach.
Malta offers many archaeological sites, cultural monuments and other historical treasures. For those who enjoy the nightlife, Malta also offers many bars, restaurants, cafes, discotheques and casinos. Many sportive activities can be enjoyed throughout the year including tennis, golf, sailing, and windsurfing, horse riding and diving. Malta boasts a packed calendar of cultural events throughout the year including art exhibitions, classical performances, plays, and concerts. During the summer months, a visit to a Maltese ‘festa’ is a must, with every village or town celebrating its parish patron saint involving village decorations and fireworks.
Malta’s Mediterranean cuisine is as healthy as it is tasty. Domestic menus are often set by seasonal food items, particularly aubergines, tomatoes, peppers, and courgettes, together with freshly caught fish. Typical year-round dishes include rabbit and bragoli (beef olives), served with the renowned local bread baked in a traditional wood-burning stone oven. However, one finds numerous restaurants in Malta which provide menus including Italian, French and Asian cuisine.
Residents can enjoy an exceptional standard of living and the very low criminal rate of the country allows Malta to be a safe country to live in and an ideal place to relocate.
Trade
Malta imports machinery and transport equipment, chemical products, and mineral fuels. The country’s main export products are semiconductors, but it also exports other manufactured goods and refined petroleum. Italy, the U.S., Germany, France, the U.K., and Singapore are Malta’s major trading partners.
Services
Services account for about half of Malta’s GDP and employ about three-fifths of the labour force. Tourism is a major source of income and follows a seasonal pattern, with June through October being the peak season. Some notable tourist sites include the ancient megalithic temple Ġgantija on Gozo and the temples of Ħaġar Qim, Mnajdra, and Tarxien on Malta; this group of temples was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1980. Also on Malta are spectacular medieval castles and cathedrals, as well as the ancient inland capital of Mdina. Tourism has had a major impact on the natural environment of the Maltese islands, and the government has attempted to promote ecotourism.
Malta is a republic island in the Mediterranean and has been a member of the European Union since 2004. Having formed part of the British colony, Malta has strong ties with the United Kingdom and is a Member of the Commonwealth of Nations.
Malta Residence and Visa Programme
