Study abroad in Malta
Visa, costs, healthcare and the best cities for exchange students in Malta.
Capital
Valletta
Languages
Maltese / English
Academic Year
The University of Malta runs an October–June academic year across two main semesters (Semester 1: Oct–Jan, Semester 2: Feb–Jun), with a shorter Semester 3 in summer used mainly for postgraduate research and placements.
Population
588,254
Typical Budget
EUR 800 - 1,400/month
Study Abroad in Malta: What to Expect
Study abroad in Malta works best when you plan around its scale: one small island network of towns rather than one single city. Valletta anchors the country as its historic capital while the University of Malta's teaching campus sits a short bus ride away in Msida, so most students split daily life between the two.
Who loves this country?
Students who want a genuinely English-friendly EU semester with beach access, a small and social exchange community, and low travel friction between class, the coast, and nightlife — all within one small island.
What makes it special
Malta is the only EU country where English is a genuine co-official language and the default teaching language at university, combined with 300+ days of sunshine, warm sea swimming from May to October, and a landmass small enough that no part of student life is ever really far away.
Newcomer shocks
- Public transport is a single island-wide bus network (Tallinja) with no metro or trains — journeys that look short on the map can take 40+ minutes in traffic.
- August heat is intense and humid; most buildings outside modern developments have weak or no air conditioning, and locals plan around it.
- The island is genuinely tiny — everyone in the exchange community tends to know everyone else within a few weeks, for better and worse.
- Good rooms near the University of Malta (Msida, Gzira, Sliema) go fast; students who wait until arrival to search often end up further out or paying more.
Safety & Cost Indices
Source: Numbeo crowdsourced data. Lower crime = safer. Higher safety = safer.
Crime Index
Moderate
World avg: 44.5
Safety Index
Moderate
World avg: 55.5
Cost of Living
Moderate cost
EUR 800 - 1,400/month
The cost of studying in Malta sits below Western European capitals but above Southern European averages, and it is rent-led: budget EUR 800-1,400/month overall and expect Sliema and St Julian's to run well above Msida or Birkirkara for the same room.
Safety: Malta ranks among the safer EU countries for violent crime, but bag-snatching and pickpocketing cluster around Valletta's bus terminus, Sliema's waterfront, and the Paceville nightlife strip late at night.
Culture & student life in Malta
Student culture in Malta blends bilingual Maltese-English daily life with a strong Catholic festa calendar and an unusually tight, social exchange-student community given how small the island is.
Social Norms
Malta runs on a very Mediterranean sense of time — meetings and buses can run a little late, and rigid punctuality is not the norm outside official appointments.
Maltese and English are both genuinely everyday languages; most locals switch fluently between the two, often mid-sentence.
Catholic feast days (festas) still shape the social calendar of many towns and villages, especially in summer.
Tipping around 10% is appreciated in restaurants but not strictly expected; check if a service charge is already added.
Daily Rhythm
Local pace07:30–09:00
Morning
Bus commutes into Msida or Valletta start early to beat traffic; a quick pastizz and coffee from a corner kiosk is a normal breakfast on the go.
12:00–14:00
Midday
Long Mediterranean lunch culture persists — many shops and some offices close for an hour or two, especially outside the main towns.
14:00–17:00
Afternoon
Classes and part-time work fill the afternoon; students head to the seafront in Sliema or Gzira after lectures when weather allows, which is most of the year.
18:00–20:00
Evening
Dinner runs later than in Northern Europe, often 19:30-20:30. Waterfront promenades in Sliema and St Julian's fill up for the evening walk (passiggata-style).
21:00–02:00
Night
Nightlife concentrates hard in Paceville (St Julian's) — bars and clubs run until the early hours on weekends, and it is the busiest student and tourist strip on the island.
Food Culture
Pastizzi
EUR 0.50-0.90 eachDiamond-shaped flaky pastry filled with ricotta or mushy peas — Malta's iconic cheap snack, sold from small kiosks (pastizzerija) at almost any hour.
Late-night pastizzerija near Valletta and Msida stay open past midnight and a couple of pastizzi plus a drink rarely costs more than EUR 2.
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Kinnie
EUR 1.50-3.00Malta's own bittersweet, bitter-orange soft drink — the default local alternative to Coke on every café and bar menu.
Buy 1.5L bottles from a supermarket for under EUR 2 instead of paying bar prices for single cans.
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Ħobż biż-żejt
EUR 3-6Crusty Maltese sourdough rubbed with ripe tomato, olive oil, capers, and tuna or ġbejniet — the classic packed lunch.
Village bakeries sell it far cheaper and fresher than cafés aimed at tourists in Valletta or Sliema.
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Stuffat tal-Fenek (rabbit stew)
EUR 14-20 for a fenkata sittingMalta's national dish: rabbit braised slowly in red wine, garlic and bay leaves. A fenkata is a full communal rabbit meal, usually two courses, at a village restaurant.
Book a fenkata as a group — inland village restaurants (Mgarr, Siggiewi) are noticeably cheaper and more authentic than coastal tourist-zone versions.
Timpana
EUR 6-10A baked pasta pie of macaroni, minced meat, eggs and cheese wrapped in pastry — comfort food descended from Sicilian and Italian influence.
Home-style trattorias sell a slice for a few euros — cheaper than the tourist-priced whole pies in Valletta.
Ġbejniet
EUR 1-2.50 eachSmall, round Maltese sheep or goat cheeselets, sold fresh, dried, peppered, or sun-baked — a farmers'-market and village staple.
Cheapest and freshest at the Sunday Marsaxlokk market or local greengrocers rather than supermarket chains.
Cultural dos & don'ts in Malta
Do
Greet shopkeepers and bus drivers — small daily courtesies are noticed on an island this size.
Dress modestly when visiting churches; Malta is still a strongly Catholic country and many churches expect covered shoulders and knees.
Join a village festa at least once — free fireworks, brass bands, and street food are a genuine local tradition, not a tourist show.
Carry a reusable water bottle; Malta has faced periodic water-quality and supply concerns, and bottled water is the local default — but tap water is treated and safe in most areas.
Book housing and Campus Hub or private rooms as early as the application window opens — rooms near Msida fill up fast before each semester.
Don't
Don't expect fast public transport during peak traffic hours — Malta's roads are congested, and buses can run well behind schedule.
Don't leave phones or bags unattended on the Sliema-to-Valletta ferry queue or in Paceville late at night — petty theft is the main real risk.
Don't assume all of Malta is walkable in summer heat; distances that look short on a map can be a sweaty 30-minute walk with no shade.
Don't skip health insurance paperwork — a gap between EHIC/insurance coverage can mean paying full price for care.
Don't wait until arrival to sort housing if you are not booking Campus Hub — private landlords in Sliema and St Julian's move fast on good rooms.
Things to do in Malta as a student
Lifestyle in Malta means sea access most of the year, a single island-wide bus network instead of a metro, and a climate that makes outdoor plans the default rather than the exception.
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Blue Lagoon swimming and snorkelling
Turquoise, shallow, current-free water around an uninhabited islet — the single most iconic swim spot in the archipelago and a rite-of-passage group trip for exchange students.
Learn more
Dingli Cliffs sunset walk
The highest point on the island, with sheer cliffs dropping to the Mediterranean and clear views to the islet of Filfla — a favourite free student sunset spot reachable by bus.
Learn more
Mdina Silent City evening visit
A near-empty fortified medieval city after sunset, a short bus ride from Msida — one of the most atmospheric free evenings out on the island.
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Golden Bay beach afternoon
Malta's best sandy beach (many are rocky), reachable directly from Valletta on the 44 bus in about 50 minutes — the default weekend beach plan for students without a car.
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Scuba diving and wreck diving
Exceptional visibility, wrecks, and reefs make Malta one of the Mediterranean's best-value diving destinations — PADI courses are widely available and cheaper than in Northern Europe.
Learn more
Marsaxlokk Sunday fish market
Malta's most photogenic fishing village, with its colourful luzzu boats and a weekly waterfront market — a cheap, easy half-day trip and a good source of fresh gbejniet and produce.
Learn moreFestival Calendar
Lively
February (annual)
Malta Carnival
Valletta and Floriana
Elaborate parade floats, marching bands, and costumed dancers fill Valletta and Floriana's streets for five days of free public celebration.
Relaxed
January (annual)
Valletta International Baroque Festival
Valletta (Teatru Manoel and historic venues)
Three weeks of baroque orchestral and chamber concerts inside Teatru Manoel, St John's Co-Cathedral, and other historic Valletta venues.
Active
Late June (annual)
L-Imnarja
Buskett Gardens, Rabat
Malta's oldest folk festival: traditional għana singing, livestock and produce shows, and an overnight picnic in Buskett Gardens' woodland.
Lively
Late July-early August (annual)
Farsons Beer Festival
Ta' Qali National Park
Ten nights of free entry, live music on four stages, and dozens of local and international beers including Malta's own Cisk — a student-crowd summer staple.
Lively
October (annual)
Notte Bianca
Valletta
One night of free arts and culture programming across Valletta's streets, palaces, and piazzas — museums, concerts, and outdoor stages open until late.
Active
Late April (annual)
Malta International Fireworks Festival
Grand Harbour, Valletta
International pyrotechnic teams compete over several nights, launching synchronised displays over the Grand Harbour — best watched from the Valletta or Three Cities waterfront.
Travel Tips
- Buses are the only public transport option island-wide; download the Tallinja app for live times before relying on posted schedules.
- Ferries connect Sliema/Valletta and the mainland to Gozo — book Gozo ferry crossings ahead in peak summer weekends.
- Malta's small size means most day trips are under an hour by bus; a rental scooter or car can save time but summer traffic is genuinely heavy.
- Book Blue Lagoon and Comino boat trips in the morning in July-August — afternoon crossings get crowded and slower.
Scholarships & student benefits in Malta
Student benefits in Malta run through free bus travel with a personalised Tallinja card, ESN Malta membership, and university wellbeing and sports services — register for each in the first two weeks.
If you are coming to this country
Grants, discounts, and student support you can unlock once you study here.
Free public transport for students
Full-time students who register a personalised Tallinja card travel free on all day and night bus routes across Malta and Gozo.
Malta Public Transport
Official sourceESN Malta membership
The ESNcard unlocks discounted housing, food, sport, travel and nightlife partners across Malta and the wider ESN network in Europe.
Erasmus Student Network Malta
Official sourceUniversity wellbeing and counselling
The University of Malta's Counselling Unit and Health and Wellness Centre offer free confidential sessions to enrolled and exchange students.
University of Malta
Official sourceSports club access
The Malta University Sports Association (MUSA) and campus sports facilities are open to registered exchange students at low or no extra cost.
Malta University Sports Association
Official sourceMalta student visa requirements
Difficulty: EasyMalta visa planning splits cleanly by citizenship: EU/EEA/Swiss students only register after arrival, while non-EU students need a Type D visa before travel plus a study residence permit application once in Malta — insurance, funds, and accommodation proof all matter.
Valid passport or national ID card
EU/EEA/Swiss nationals can enter and move freely with no visa. No registration is needed for stays under three months.
eResidence registration certificate
A semester or full-year exchange means registering residence with Identità (Form CEA/21) within three months of arrival — it is free for EU/EEA/Swiss citizens. Missing the window risks a EUR 300 fine.
Passport valid for the Schengen area, visa if required by nationality
Nationals of visa-exempt countries can enter Schengen/Malta for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. This does not cover semester-length study.
National Long-Stay (Type D) visa, then a study residence permit
Students from countries requiring a Schengen visa must get a Type D student visa from a Maltese embassy/consulate before travel; visa-exempt non-EU nationals apply for the residence permit directly after arrival. Either way, a study residence permit application (Form CEA N.01) with Identità follows within 90 days: acceptance letter naming course, MQF level and dates; proof of funds (around 60% of Malta's annual minimum wage/poverty line, pro-rated to the study period, evidenced with 3 months of bank statements); private health insurance (minimum EUR 30,000 for the visa stage; a EUR 100,000 policy is required for the residence-permit stage unless you are enrolled at the University of Malta, MCAST or ITS, which are exempt); and proof of accommodation (a Housing-Authority-registered lease, university housing declaration, or licensed host-family declaration).
Application Checklist
8 steps-
1
Confirm whether you are EU/EEA/Swiss (registration only) or non-EU (visa + residence permit) before planning any other step.
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2
Non-EU: check if your nationality needs a Type D visa before travel, or can apply for the residence permit directly after a visa-free entry.
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3
Non-EU: budget at least 45 days before departure for the D-visa application at a Maltese embassy or consulate.
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4
Line up private health insurance early — EUR 30,000 minimum for the visa stage, EUR 100,000 for the residence permit unless you study at the University of Malta, MCAST or ITS (exempt).
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5
Get your accommodation documentation right the first time: a Housing-Authority-registered lease and attestation form, or — far simpler for exchange students — a booking at Campus Hub, which the University of Malta explicitly recommends to avoid permit delays.
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6
Gather 3 months of bank statements (or a sponsor declaration) proving roughly 60% of Malta's annual minimum wage, pro-rated to your stay.
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7
EU/EEA/Swiss students: register with Identità within 3 months of arrival even though no visa is required — missing it risks a EUR 300 fine.
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8
Keep your acceptance letter precise: it must state the course title, MQF level, and exact start/end dates, or the permit application can be rejected.
Healthcare for international students in Malta
How It Works
EU/EEA/Swiss students with a valid EHIC get free or reduced-cost treatment at Malta's state health centres and Mater Dei Hospital, Malta's main public hospital. Non-EU students must hold private health insurance for the full stay — a minimum EUR 30,000 policy is required to obtain the visa, and a minimum EUR 100,000 policy is required for the study residence permit unless the student is enrolled at the University of Malta, MCAST or ITS, which are exempt from that higher threshold.
Student Needs
Register with a local health centre or the university's health service early, and keep proof of insurance on hand — it is checked at multiple points in the permit process, not just once on arrival.
Emergency vs Clinic
Call 112 for genuine emergencies, which routes to Mater Dei Hospital's emergency department. For non-urgent issues, local health centres and pharmacies (widely available and often able to advise without an appointment) are faster and cheaper than an ER visit.
Public Coverage Notes
Free public healthcare access for non-EU/EEA nationals is normally limited to emergencies only, unless a bilateral agreement or specific visa condition applies.
Mater Dei Hospital in Msida is Malta's main public hospital and sits a short walk from the University of Malta campus.
University Plans
University of Malta, MCAST and ITS students are explicitly exempted from the higher EUR 100,000 non-EU insurance threshold required for other institutions' students — check the current UM international office page for the exact accepted minimum before buying a policy.
Private Coverage
Non-EU students need coverage valid for the whole Schengen area for the visa stage (EUR 30,000 minimum), then a study-specific policy for the residence permit.
Coverage should include hospitalisation, emergency treatment, and repatriation; confirm the exact minimum sum with Identità before buying, as thresholds can be revised.
Best cities to study in Malta
Valletta is the confirmed study base for Malta: the historic capital itself, with the University of Malta's Msida campus, Sliema, and St Julian's all within a short, well-connected bus ride.
Valletta
Malta's fortified, UNESCO-listed capital is tiny — most exchange students actually live and study a short bus ride away in Msida, Gzira,…
Open City Guide