Malta

'Old churches, stone farmhouses and stone cottages. Beautiful  Comino's blue lagoon'

Buying & Selling:  Buying property in Malta is mainly straight forward, although some regulations stand for foreign buyers. Surveys and enquiries should be undertaken in conjunction with a reputable property agent and professional legal representation.

Locating a property and signing an initial contract and putting down a 10% deposit is step 1. The interim period between the draft contract and final exchange of contracts is the normal searches completed and checking by your legal representative that the property for sale is by the correct owner. Foreigners purchasing property in Malta should bear in mind that buying a villa without a swimming pool means that the property can not be rented out unless it is in the designated area of Malta.

Restrictions are in place against foreigners buying multiple properties, foreigners can only purchase one residential property to live in or to let, however in certain areas of Malta foreigners can purchase more than one property, those areas being: Tigne Point, Cottonera, Chambray, Portomaso and Manoel Island.

Once a foreigner has been resident for 5 years plus they can purchase more than one residential property anywhere in Malta. Foreign nationals can only buy commercial property in conjunction with  a local Maltase national. Its not an option to go to Malta and purchase multiple properties for renovation and development is not an option with restrictions in place. Land and residential property is at a premium and not unlimited, therefore legislation against foreigners owing multiple properties stands. Restrictions are in place against foreigners buying multiple properties

Currency:  Maltese lira(Lm), often referred to as the Maltese pound. Changing to the Euro as of 1st Jan 2008

Getting To or Through:  Most European cities operate direct flights to Malta, with an average journey time of 2-3 hours. There are also high-speed passenger ferries from Sicily and car ferry services from other Italian ports operating several times a week. The fares for both sea and air travel are highest during the main tourist season, June to September. These fall slightly during the shoulder months and you'll get the cheapest prices from December to March, excluding Christmas and New Year when prices predictably jump. Visitors from EU or commonwealth countries need only their national identity cards or a valid passport to travel to Malta. People travelling from countries outside need a full valid passport and a visa, obtainable from a Maltese Embassy or Consulate. The public transport system in Malta is excellent. Buses serve all the major tourist areas on Malta and Gozo and many people find they need nothing else. Hiring a car, motorbike or pushbike is a good idea however, if you want to explore some more remote areas, as taxis can be expensive. The ferry service between Malta and Gozo departs regularly taking about 20 minutes; a less regular service travels to the smaller island of Comino.

Culture:  Malta’s setting at the crossroads of the Mediterranean shipping lanes has always played a crucial role in the island’s history. Over the centuries the great powers have fought to dominate the islands, each power leaving its legacy. Today is a complex mix of ethnic influences. The Arabs introduced citrus trees and the flat-topped houses, and laid the foundations for the Maltese language. The Aragonese people, from central Spain, left their mark in the medieval architecture of Malta’s historic town centres and the enclosed wood balconies which typify the character of Malta’s town houses. Craft villages on Malta have been set up to demonstrate and sell traditional handicrafts. Though outside these villages the artisan is a dying breed, but you can still occasionally glimpse a fisherman weaving cane into fish traps.

Geography:  Situated in the central Mediterranean the Maltese Archipelago consists of seven Islands, of which only Malta and Gozo are inhabited. Malta lies south of Sicily, east of Tunisia, and north of Libya. It lies central of the Mediterranean Sea (in its eastern basin), some 93 km south of the Italian island of Sicily across the Malta Channel; east of Tunisia and north of Libya in Africa. There are no rivers or lakes and few green spaces. A patchwork of tiny fields, bounded by rubble walls, is scattered with stone farmhouses, old churches and peaceful villages.

Seasonal Climate:  The climate is mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers. In essence there are only two seasons, which makes the island attractive for people especially during the drier months. However, strong winds can make Malta feel cold during the spring months.

Population:  Approx 400,000

Capital City:  Valletta

Language:  Maltese and English spoken

Religion:  Mainly Roman Catholic/ Christian.

General:  The rocky coastline, dotted with limestone coves, is perfect for swimming, with smooth rocks and an unpolluted sea as clear as a teardrop. You can swim, sail or windsurf, waterski or parasail, or simply soak up the sun beside Comino’s vividly blue lagoon.