Setting Up Utilities, Internet, and Phone in Malta: New Arrival Guide 2026

Step 1: Set up ARMS (electricity and water)

Electricity and water in Malta are billed together through ARMS. When you move in, either the landlord transfers the account into your name or you contact ARMS directly.

To transfer the ARMS account into your name:

• Contact ARMS by phone, online portal, or in person at an ARMS office.
• Provide your lease agreement or proof of residence.
• Provide your passport and Maltese residence permit.
• Record the meter reading on the day you move in and the day you move out — this is your reference for the first and last bill.

Bills are issued every two months. Pay by bank transfer, at a BOV branch, or through the ARMS online portal. Many residents use BOV eBanking standing orders for ARMS payments.

Step 2: Order broadband (GO or Epic)

The two main home broadband providers are:

• GO (formerly Maltacom): Fibre broadband across most of Malta. Standard plans from approx. €22–€30/month. Can bundle with TV and landline. Visit go.com.mt.
• Epic (formerly Melita): Similar coverage and price range. Some apartments may already have Epic cabling installed from a previous tenant. Visit epic.com.mt.

To order, go to their website or visit a shop. You will need your Maltese address and proof of identity. Engineer installation typically takes 1–3 weeks. Check whether your apartment building already has cabling from either provider — this can reduce setup time.

Step 3: Get a Maltese mobile SIM

Malta has three main mobile operators: GO, Epic, and Vodafone Malta.

• Prepaid SIM: Available at the airport, telco shops, and many supermarkets. Prepaid is the fastest option for your first day — no contract, just buy and activate. Data bundles of 5–20 GB for €10–€20/month.
• Monthly contract: Requires ID and sometimes a Maltese bank account or credit check. Contracts from €15–€25/month include voice + data. Better value for long-term residents.
• EU roaming: Malta is in the EU. Once you have a Maltese SIM, you can use it across all EU/EEA countries at domestic rates.

Interim solution: use your existing SIM or digital eSIM

If you are arriving from an EU country, your existing SIM works in Malta at domestic rates — no roaming charges. If you are arriving from outside the EU, either buy a local prepaid SIM at the airport or use an international eSIM (Airalo, Holafly) to cover the first few days while you set up a local account.

Setting up the ARMS account: common issue

Some landlords leave the ARMS account in their own name and pay the bills themselves, then include utilities in the rent (all-inclusive arrangement). If utilities are included in your rent, confirm in writing what happens if your consumption exceeds the landlord’s expectation — especially in summer. Some landlords impose a cap and charge excess consumption separately.