What Salary Do You Need to Live Comfortably in Malta

Despite being a small Island, Malta’s beauty and thriving economy has attracted job seekers from around the world. According to the National Statistics Office Malta , foreigners make up 28.1% of the total population in Malta. These numbers show that Malta has been so welcoming to foreign workers and there are numerous companies in Malta who are actively looking for foreign workers. A lot of people ask this question before moving to Malta for work. What salary do I need to live comfortably in Malta?

Keeping the cost of living, inflation and other factors into account, €40k gross per year is considered enough for a single person to live a comfortable life in Malta. Some people might not agree with the amount mentioned above as it totally depends on personal preferences. The definition of comfort is different for everyone, some might be comfortable in sharing a room but others might not be. Similarly, some people might prefer cooking at home while others might prefer eating out.

There will be things that you can compromise on, and there will be some things that you cannot compromise on even if you have to spend more money on them. This is why you might find different opinions on this topic from different people. Let’s break it down further and understand how much actually is needed to maintain a good standard of living in Malta.

First of all, you won’t be taking all your salary home, you need to find out your take-home pay first before starting to look for options to spend it. You can do it manually but using a net salary calculator will be more reliable and time saving. 

Monthly Cost Breakdown for a Single Person

Following is a breakdown of monthly expenses for a single person. It also compares low, mid and high-budget lifestyles. 

Cost of Rent

Whether you are looking for a shared apartment, a single bedroom or a villa, rent is considered the biggest monthly expense in Malta—often accounting for more than 30–40% of your take-home salary. The cost of rent largely depends on the type of accommodation and more importantly, the location.

In central areas like Sliema, St. Julian’s, Valletta, and Gżira, rent prices are typically higher due to their popularity, nightlife, beaches, and expat-friendly facilities. A one-bedroom apartment in these areas can cost anywhere between €850 to €1,600 per month. On the other hand, more affordable towns such as Birkirkara, Mosta, Żabbar, Marsascala, or Qormi offer better value for money, with one-bedroom apartments often ranging from €550 to €750 per month.

For those on a tight budget or just starting out in Malta, sharing an apartment or even a room is a practical and cost-effective option. Shared accommodation significantly reduces the rent, sometimes by half or more. Renting a shared room can cost as little as €250–€400 per month. This is especially common among students, interns, and young professionals who are looking to keep expenses low without compromising on a central location.

Choosing where to live and whether to share accommodation plays a major role in your overall cost of living in Malta. While living alone offers privacy and freedom, shared living can make a comfortable lifestyle more affordable, especially in high-demand areas.

  nQuick Lets is an excellent place to find an accommodation of your choice.

Cooking vs Eating Out

Cooking at home in Malta is far more economical than eating out. A home-cooked meal may cost around €6 to €10 depending upon what you eat, while eating out can get quite expensive. Fast food typically costs €6–€10, while a small, honest restaurant may charge €18–€25 per meal. At fancier places, expect to pay €35–€50 or more. Drinks range from €3 to €15, depending on the area and venue. While occasional dining out is enjoyable, doing it frequently can double or triple your food expenses. Many expats cook during weekdays and reserve restaurant outings for weekends to maintain both comfort and budget control.

Transportation

Renting a car

Renting a car in Malta can cost anywhere from €5 to €50 per day, depending on the type of car, rental duration, and season. Smaller cars like economy hatchbacks are generally cheaper and fuel-efficient, while SUVs or luxury models are on the higher end of the price range.

Maltacar offers a wide range of rental options, including compact cars, family vehicles, and automatic models. Many rentals come with basic insurance and unlimited mileage, but it’s important to check fuel policies, deposit requirements, and whether the vehicle includes collision damage waiver (CDW).

While renting a car can give you the freedom to travel to any part of the Island, it costs way more than public transport and getting a parting slot is another challenge in busy areas.

Public Buses

Ticket Prices:

• Single Day Journey (Winter): €2.00
• Single Day Journey (Summer): €2.50
• Single Day Journey on Direct Buses: €3.00
• Single Night Journey: €3.00

Apart from the regular ticketing system, Malta has a card system as well for the convenience of public transport users. Each card has a different package having multiple services like a specific number of day, night and direct trips. These cards are very effective for regular public transport users in order to save money. The packages of these cards are designed carefully to suit every type of customer like people staying for shorter periods, people staying for longer periods and for permanent residents.

Using a Taxi

Taxis in Malta are convenient but can be more expensive than other transport options. A short ride of 5–10 minutes may cost around €10–€15, while longer trips like from the airport to Sliema can go up to €25–€30. Prices can vary depending on time, traffic, season and also the taxi company you choose.

Some of the most popular and reliable taxi services include Bolt, eCabs, and Cool Ride-Pooling. These apps work just like Uber and show you the price before you book. Booking through an app is usually cheaper than hailing a taxi from the street.

Will You be able to Save Money?

Well it looks pretty doable to save some money if you earn €40k a year. But it totally depends on how you spend your money and what options you choose from the ones we have discussed above. 

There are people who earn way less than €40k. For instance, minimum wage in Malta is €​​221.78 per week and there are over 60,000 people earning minimum wage. It shows that Malta has a lot of cheap options.

If you can compromise on your privacy and choose a shared accommodation, it can save you a big amount. Similarly eating out occasionally is fine but doing it regularly can cost you way more than cooking at home. Same applies to transportation options as well. 

There are many other things like groceries etc but accommodation, transport and food are the biggest expenses in Malta. Make your choices wisely and you will see a good amount in your pocket at the end of each month.