Malta is small, densely built and comprehensively wired, which makes connectivity one of the easier parts of living here.
Fixed broadband coverage is high, mobile coverage is effectively universal, and speeds are good by European standards.
Getting connected
A local number takes minutes
A prepaid SIM is quick and needs identification. It is worth doing on day one, because almost every other process wants a local number.
EU roaming applies here, so an EU plan works at home rates in the meantime.
Know before you go
Fibre is fast and tied to your address
Fibre and cable are widely available and contracts usually run twelve or twenty-four months. Installation needs an appointment and proof you live there.
If you are renting short term, check whether the landlord already has a line rather than starting a new contract.
Renting here
Fast enough to work on
Speeds and reliability are sufficient for video calls and remote work, which is part of why the nomad permit exists at all.
Power cuts do happen in summer peaks, so a laptop that holds charge is worth having.
The nomad permit
Getting connected
What to expect
- Fixed broadband
- Delivered over fibre and cable, with bundles combining internet, television and a mobile line. Bundling is how the market is priced, so a standalone connection is rarely the cheapest option.
- Mobile
- Prepaid and contract both widely available. As an EU member state, roaming within the EU applies, which matters if you travel.
- Buying a SIM
- Identification is required to register a SIM, so bring your passport or residence card rather than expecting to buy one anonymously.
- Installation
- A new fixed line in an older building can take longer than the provider suggests. In some historic properties the delay is the cabling route rather than the network.
- Contracts
- Minimum terms are common. Check the length and the early exit charge, particularly if your residence here is time-limited.
Ask whether a connection already exists and whose name it is in. Taking over an active line is much quicker than ordering a new installation. In a shared or short let it may be included in the rent.
Electronic communications are regulated by the Malta Communications Authority, which publishes consumer guidance and handles complaints that a provider has not resolved.