Is Malta part of Italy?

No. Malta is an independent republic and EU member state. It was a British colony until independence in 1964. Malta has significant historical, cultural, and linguistic ties to Sicily and Southern Italy (the Maltese language has roots in Sicilian Arabic), but it is politically and legally entirely independent.

Is Malta cheaper than Italy?

Malta is generally similar in cost to Southern Italy and cheaper than Northern Italy (Milan, Turin, Bologna). Malta's tourist belt (Sliema, St Julians) is broadly comparable to cities like Naples or Palermo. Rome and Milan are significantly more expensive than Malta for rent and eating out.

Is Malta or Italy better for expats?

It depends on what you value. Malta wins on: English-language environment, compact simple logistics, iGaming job market, and bureaucratic simplicity for EU residents. Italy wins on: food culture, landscape diversity, historical depth, fashion/design, arts, and the Italian lifestyle experience. If you speak Italian or plan to learn, Italy offers an incomparably richer experience. If English is your working language and you want EU Mediterranean without Italian bureaucracy, Malta is easier.

Malta vs Italy: Living and Working Comparison 2026

Malta and Italy share a sea, a cultural heritage, and an EU membership — but they are very different places to live and work. Malta is compact, English-speaking, and iGaming-heavy. Italy is diverse, Italian-speaking, and offers much more for culture, food, and landscape.

Official SourceLast updated 9 June 2026

Side-by-side comparison

Factor	Malta	Italy
Working language	English (official)	Italian (essential for most employment)
1-bed rent	€1,100–€1,500/mo (central)	€600–€1,800/mo (varies widely — Milan much higher)
Groceries (1 person/week)	€40–€65	€40–€70 (fresh produce very affordable)
Average gross salary	€18,000–€30,000/yr	€20,000–€35,000/yr
Climate (summer)	Very hot, sea nearby	Varies widely; South and islands similar to Malta
Bureaucracy	Complex for non-EU; simpler for EU	Notoriously complex (permesso di soggiorno, etc.)
Non-EU permit	Single Permit (employer)	Permesso di soggiorno — quota-based, complex
Outdoor/nature space	Very limited	Exceptional (Alps, Dolomites, coasts, islands)
Food culture	Good (Mediterranean, British influence)	One of the world’s great food cultures
iGaming sector	World-leading	Not significant

Numbeo / ExpatistanLast verified: 2026-06-09.

Italy’s non-EU immigration: the quota system

Italy’s immigration system for non-EU workers uses an annual quota (decreto flussi) that limits the number of non-EU workers who can enter for work in a given year. Competition for quota places is significant and the system has faced criticism for being slow and opaque.

Malta’s Single Permit system, while not fast, does not have annual quotas in the same way — employers can sponsor a permit for a specific worker at any point in the year, subject to processing timelines.

The Maltese-Italian connection

Malta has deep cultural and linguistic ties to Italy and Sicily. Italian television has historically influenced Maltese culture. Many Maltese people speak Italian. Sicilian cuisine and Maltese cuisine share roots. Malta is geographically closer to Sicily (93 km) than to the nearest part of the African continent.

This connection means Italian speakers often find Malta very comfortable — and the reverse is true for Maltese expats in Italy. For non-Italian speakers, Malta’s English base removes the linguistic barrier that Italy’s beautiful country otherwise presents.

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Author and editorial standard

Maintained by MaltaPathway

This guide is written from public official sources and labelled limitations. MaltaPathway is independent, not a law firm or government agency. Founder proof, source policy, correction policy, and monetization disclosure live on the About and trust page.

Sources

Expert AnalysisCost of Living in MaltaVerified 9 Jun 2026

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MaltaPathway is not a law firm, immigration consultancy, or government agency. The information on this page is based on publicly available official sources and is provided for informational purposes only. Immigration rules change — always verify with the relevant authority before making decisions. If your case is complex, consult a licensed immigration lawyer.