Malta

Malta is becoming both an investment and retirement hot spot—and it’s easy to see why. Taking up just 316 square kilometers in the southern Mediterranean, the Maltese archipelago (consisting of three main islands) is one of Europe’s smallest countries.

While Malta may be small, it has a lot to offer. Its rugged coastline boasts dramatic cliffs and tiny coves, dotted with ancient forts and quaint fishing harbors.

Inland, stone walls separate fields cut into strips of olives, wheat, and potatoes. Wine production is popular, and vines hang heavy with grapes all over the island. From its weather and food to its history and culture, Malta is quintessential Mediterranean Europe.

Malta has a fascinating history dating back over 8,000 years. In 1798, Napoleon Bonaparte swept into Malta en route to Egypt.

The French didn’t stay long—they were ousted by the English, who would remain in control of the islands until 1964, when Malta secured its independence.

Malta suffered hugely during World War II, when the Axis powers decided to blitz the tiny nation into submission. During this dark time in Maltese history, the country earned the unenviable title of the most bombed place on the planet, which it held until the Vietnam War.

Nowadays, Malta is a modern, First World, European nation with a long-standing, stable democracy in place. Malta is a member of the EU, the single biggest economic bloc on the planet, and the currency used is the euro.

A string of small islands in the southern Mediterranean makes up Malta. One of the tiniest countries in Europe, it also has the tiniest capital: Valletta covers less than a square kilometer… but whatSuperbissima(Latin for “Most Proud”) lacks in size, it makes up for in lifestyle…

Valletta is full of buildings that give evidence to Malta’s colorful history. The country is home to some of the oldest human artefacts in the world, some of which predate the Egyptian pyramids and Stonehenge.

It’s been occupied by various groups throughout its existence, from the Phoenicians to the Byzantines, the Ottomans to the Knights of Templar… all have left their mark on the place.

With its position as a key trading and transport point in the Mediterranean, its popularity as a tourism hub, and its military and colonial history, the Maltese are used to having a large expat population. They are a welcoming people, and, with no language barrier, it’s easy to slip into life here.

There are several expat groups that can help you find your place and get active in the community. Living in Valletta, or any area of the country, you’d be able to find and make friends easily—be them British, Hungarian, Italian, Maltese, or several other nationalities.

Valletta has an extremely low crime rate… You’re unlikely to fall victim to even petty crime here or anywhere else in Malta. At worst, the occasional taxi driver will attempt to overcharge you, but even this is highly unusual.

The only real danger here comes from other foreigners. During the summer, Malta hosts thousands of packaged-holiday tourists, mostly from Britain.

Some are well-behaved, but many of the 20-somethings that converge on Paceville (a neighborhood of St. Julian’s) get rowdy after too much drinking. However, by steering clear of the area after dark, you won’t even know they are there.

There are usually no natural disasters happening in Malta, but the island has a natural rock structure and large portions of land is covered in tarmac and cement. This makes for heavy flooding even with short rains, which causes chaos and traffic jams.

Crime exists everywhere, but Malta is an unbeatable destination to retire because of their low cost of living, existing expat population, active real estate market that is favorable for foreign investment… and extremely low crime rates.