Malta - British Expat Forum

Hi

We are thinking of moving over to Malta from the UK early next year and would like to bring our car, can anyone confirm if there will still be a tax to pay when entering Malta with my car ? also what documents would I need ? I read about a green card insurance for the car but not sure what that involves ? If I am living in Malta does anyone know the cost of car insurance cpmared to the UK ?

Is it easy enough to set up a self employed business in Malta ? I work online so would be working from home.

thanks

Hi and welcome

are you an EU citizen ? - all answers below assume you are (although it doesn't matter for many of them)

can anyone confirm if there will still be a tax to pay when entering Malta with my car ? - no, not on entering, but yes if you keep it here for more than a few months (can't remember if its 3 or 6 months, but its on the forum somewhere), still very high tax

also what documents would I need ? - not sure

I read about a green card insurance for the car but not sure what that involves ? - green card insurance is for tourists - not sure when you will have to switch

If I am living in Malta does anyone know the cost of car insurance cpmared to the UK ? very cheap - about Lm 75-100 odd for fully comp with max NCB

Is it easy enough to set up a self employed business in Malta ? I work online so would be working from home. - simple paperwork from what I've seen

Kev,

I think most of your questions are answered in more detail hereabouts, but in summary:

1. There is no real news about reduction in registration taxes yet, so if you are planning staying more than 6 months you may want to reconsider bringing your car. This depends on Glass's guide trade valuation and engine size.

2. You will need valid insurance, and tax disc for all the time your car is in Malta, and of course the registration log book (V5). Most UK insurance will cover you for Malta (check certificate) but may only give you third party cover. It is worth having some (vehicle) repatriation cover too but you can get breakdown cover locally. You should not need greeen card cover if your certificate of insurance states all EU countries or mentions Malta by name.

3. Malta car insurance is generally cheaper than UK on a like for like basis but not available for UK reg vehicles (at least I have been told so on a few occasions so I am willing to believe that)

I suggest you post your self employment question seperately on the relevant board, but check it out first as you may well find your questions answered already.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

Mr K.

Argh! that GM did it to me again! no posts for days and he beats me by a few minutes!

Mr K

Better late than never

PS NW Gozo Have you been watching that Cary Grant film again 8)

thanks guys for your help. I would be driving from Scotland, the car is an 8 year old ford focus with a few bumps so not worth more than a grand I would think. I was reading somewhere that EU law might be changing and that the car tax might be abolished ?

Otherwise it would be too expensive to take the car and pay about 3 grand after 6 months. The car was my dad's car so I would really like to take it for mostly that reason.

I have emailed the Malta transport website but no reply so far to get an official answer to the car tax issue.

Plan is to take ferry over to Belgium from Scotland then drive to Italy and south to the ferry, if anyone knows a quicker route feel free to share ! I thought a ferry went from Roysth to Italy but been unable to find details.

thanks again

I've decided to move this thread to the Motoring board because that's where all the other questions on a similar theme are.

HTH.

Kay 8)

I was reading somewhere that EU law might be changing and that the car tax might be abolished ? - yes, nothing firm yet, but likely to be phased in over 2-3 years - not abolished, but changed to a tax based on pollution - average tax will come down, but if yours is a heavy polluter....


I have emailed the Malta transport website but no reply so far to get an official answer to the car tax issue. - given that its all in a state of flux, I wouldn't hold your breath for an answer, unless its one so vague as to be useless

Thats right g/m it was headlined in the sunday times but all very vague something along the lines of reg. tax down on imports but road tax up as in u/k going off engine size, diesel/ petrol etc.. so all swings and roundabouts and bound to affect everyone. Need a smart car with a sewing machine engine to profit.

Hi Kev,
I too wrote to adt re: car tax. I did get a reply and said that at this moment there is no change in the cost. As for driving to Malta, we to are doing the same. We drove to folkstone (stop in kent as we have relatives there) We took the euro-tunnel to Calais then drove to Champrey, stayed over night. On to Genoa and took ferry over-night to Sicily, over-night there then ferry to Valletta. Next year we are doing the same but having 2 nights on ferry to Valletta straight from Genoa, as we are travelling in March and not August like last year as ferries don't sail in August straight to Valletta.

Does anyone know whether the ferry between Genoa and Valletta (either direct or via Tunis) is going to operate in 2008?

I've been trying to find the route on various ferry websites and all I can find is information for Genoa-Tunis or announcements that no fares are available yet for Genoa-Valletta. As we want to travel in late March/early April I'm a little concerned about this.

Any info or advice on possible alternative routes (we're driving down with a car-load of personal possessions so security is important) would be greatly appreciated!

No specific knowldge, but maybe an email to the operator could help - infopax@grimaldi.it

I believe the phone number for their ticket office is +39.10.209.45.91, or you can try via your local travel agent.

Good luck, and please let us all know what you discover.

The ferry between Genoa and Valletta (via Tunis) leaves Genoa every Saturday at 6pm in 2008 off season. From Valletta it goes direct to Genoa once a week as well, but I am not sure of the day. I had to call them, the lady was very nice and had a good command of Engleeshie. Via Tunis the trip is two nights, direct only one night. Cost is about 50% more for the extra night IINM. Other option is Genoa to Palermo with either the Superba or Suprema (I recommend the Presidential Suite - heck it's only one night) and then to Catania by highway and Virtu-Ferry to Valletta. Also two nights, but you get to see some of Sicily. I'll let you know how it works out come next week or so...

No I won't be, sorry, we're flying down!