A month in Malta, in numbers
| Item | Monthly | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Room in a shared flat | EUR 400-600 | Msida, Gzira, Sliema |
| Shared room, two people | EUR 280-400 | How many students start |
| Food | EUR 200-280 | Almost everything is imported |
| Transport | EUR 0-26 | Very cheap for card-holding residents |
| Phone and internet | EUR 15-25 | |
| Electricity and water | EUR 40-80 | Air conditioning in summer |
| Personal and other | EUR 70-130 | |
| Total | EUR 700-1,000 |
Where students actually live
Msida holds the campus and is the obvious choice. Students spread into Gzira, Sliema, Ta' Xbiex, Birkirkara and San Gwann; Sliema and St Julian's are the most expensive because of tourism and nightlife, while Birkirkara and Hamrun are cheaper. The island is small, so distance is not the problem — traffic is.
The university
University of Malta is the country's principal public institution and teaches almost entirely in English. Several private providers also operate. Confirm that any institution appears on Malta's national register of licensed higher education providers before you enrol — this matters more in Malta than in most of our nine countries.
Work, honestly
Third-country students in Malta need a separate employment licence, and it is normally available only after a set period of study. The conditions are specific, so read the guidance from Jobsplus and Identità directly. Tourism, restaurants, gaming and call centres do offer genuine English-language work, particularly in summer.
The honest bits
- 1Rent is seasonal — it rises in summer with tourism. A longer lease protects you.
- 2Everything is imported, so the weekly shop costs more than you expect.
- 3Traffic makes short distances slow.
- 4On the other side: English, safety, sunshine, and being inside the EU.
Before you fly
- 1Verify the institution's registration — see the Malta country guide.
- 2Budget EUR 1,500-2,000 for the first two months plus deposit.
- 3After arrival, sort the residence card and, if you intend to work, the employment licence — see the Malta visa guide.
Official sources — check for yourself
Rules and figures change. We review these articles periodically and show the date above, but always confirm the current requirement with the official source before you act on it.
Common questions
How much does a student need per month in Malta?+
Typically EUR 700-1,000, most of it rent. Sharing a room rather than taking your own cuts the total noticeably, and many students do exactly that in their first year.
Is everything in English in Malta?+
Effectively, yes. English is one of Malta's official languages and almost all university teaching is in English, so daily life carries no language barrier — the single biggest practical advantage among our nine countries.
Can I work while studying in Malta?+
Yes, but a third-country student needs a separate employment licence and there is normally a minimum period of study first. The conditions change, so check the Jobsplus and Identità guidance directly.
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