Looking to move to Malta or Gozo, but VERY confused!!

[jess_r_579]

Hello,

I posted a while back, about how me and my mother wish to move to Malta or Gozo. Since then, we've been going over various webpages, but we're still really confused on the matter! If anyone has many advice on the following subjects, we'd be very grateful.

1) Me and my mother were both born in the UK, and so we're also EU citizens. With that in mind, does that mean we'd be able to move to Malta due to 'freedom of movement'? I still see information on Maltese webpages that we'd need residency permits, and that we'd also need to prove our income etc. However, I have seen pages that say we can just go over anyway!

2) Since Malta joined the EU, does that then mean that an EU citizen is entitled to move there as long as they are able to support themselves financially? If so, what would the minimum accepted income be?

That's about it for the time being! Like I said, any ideas and/or advice would be great!

Bye for now,
Jess

[Suzi]

Hello,
I am sorry that you have not had replies yet. I sympathise with your situation and know how difficult it is to find information. On such important issues people have to be able to give accurate advise, otherwise it is useless!
We have to appreciate each person has a different situation/requirements. I have just found Claire Bonello the Mentor for Malta and was about to tell you about it, but then I realised you had already found the site. So I do hope you are now progressing, and I would like to wish you good luck. Remember the old saying seek and you will find.
We have just had a 7day visit to Malta/Gozo on a fact finding trip, and I have to say we were very impressed. We hope to relocate there as soon as it is possible, we are retired. We found the people very helpful and extremely friendly. I think the people who have already moved, are so busy with their new life, they don't come back here to answer too often. They are outdoors enjoying the sun, and doing all the things that please them.
Well good luck, let us know how you are progressing.
Best wishes,
Suzi

[jess_r_579]

Hi Suzi,

Thank you for your message! Ahh yes... there is a lot of conflicting evidence out there it seems regarding moving to Malta. However, me and my mother have come to the final stages now, so yay!

Ahh yes, I did come across Claire Bonello's page, but she's not yet been able to answer my other questions. I guess she must be very busy though.

Oh and I know what you mean about the ex-pats in Malta. It's a shame so few of them set up a webpage to help others in similar situations, but like you say, they must be enjoying the sunshine!

When me and my mother get to Malta, I'll be sure to let you know, and I'll try to offer advice on moving there too, as it's such a mine field!

Many thanks for the good luck!
Best wishes,
Jess

[spainboy]

This link may help The British Council Malta

[Bill Wood]

Hi Jess

Pauline and I moved here almost a year ago. Can't beleve how the time has flown by.

First off, sorry that Tim, the moderater wasn't able to get back to you I know he is away visiting a friend in spain. Any how its great that Suzi managed to keep your interest going about your move to malta.

ok, the boring stuff. eu nationals can Now take up residence in malta without the need to have immigration stamp your passport every 6 months. we are all eu citizens and enjoy most of the rights and privileges of nationals. however malta has negotiated the working of non maltese here. basically its as pre eu. unless you can find a sponsor you cannot work. that said there are always exceptions. you can be self employed. if you have a particular ability that would enhance tourism then they welcome any type of initiative.

medical stuff is reasonably easy to get sorted, you need to apply for certificate of entitlement,this can be arranged before you come to live here. the DSS in newcastle will send you the forms you need form e106 pensions service . once here and you have your ID card you send that to the government office in valletta.ministery of health.

Sorry Did you say you were going to malta or gozo. gozo is much more laid back and quieter than the mainland.

Things have certainly changed since the eu. the weather is not as good and the locals recon its coz of the eu.the wine and beer is reasonable as is then food in the shops. cars on the otherhand are a bit of a ripoff but there's nothing you can do about that unless you hire rather than buy.

Tim, the moderater returns to gozo in the next week so I am sure he will add to my drivel.

thanks agin to suzi in keeping up up to speed.

please drop another message to this board if you need anything else.

best wishes

bill

[jess_r_579]

Hello everyone,

First off, thanks to Spain Boy for the link to the British Council in Malta. I emailed them this evening, as the Maltese authorities have yet to answer my question on what exactly is 'adequate health care and financial resources'. I hope to find out soon though! Me and my Mum would prefer to go into this with knowledge rather than jumping in blind.

And thank you to Bill for replying too. Ahh I'd heard and read about the E106 form and the likes. Me and my Mother were thinking of taking out private health care to ensure that the Maltese authorities are satisified that we have 'adequate health cover'. Also, as neither me nor my mother aren't even close to the retirement age, it may be the easiest option too!

Ahh that does remind me of one thing though... I've heard that you have to pay for medication and dressings prescribed by GPs in Malta. If this is the case, does anyone here know how much inhalers cose in Malta? I'm asthmatic you see, so I need a good supply to keep me in good health.

Oh, me and my Mum are going to move to Malta. We want to set up as self employed when we can, and set up a crafts business.

Oh yes, I had heard that the cars are very expensive in Malta. They're heavily taxed too from what I've heard. Me and my mother won't be looking at buying a car anyway, so that's not a problem for us. We just need to settle the health care and the bank, and then we can really get on with finding an apartment.

Thanks again for the replies!
Bye for now,
Jess

[Tim]

Oh and I know what you mean about the ex-pats in Malta. It's a shame so few of them set up a webpage to help others in similar situations, but like you say, they must be enjoying the sunshine!

I wish!!

Actually, I have been enjoying the sunshine today, but have spent most of the last 18 months on numerous overseas trips to earn my shekels. That's why you find sudden bursts of activity from me on here, and times when I'm just not around! Also another former regular here, Scotdiver, has largely disappeared for the same reason. Bill and Pauline?... well yep, they do enjoy a nice drop of sunshine!

Seriously though, it is difficult for those of us already here to give proper answers about the post-EU situation because we haven't been through it and getting answers to hypothetical questions from agencies here is nigh-on impossible (when you get here you'll soon find that although TyPhoo put the T in Britain, it was the Maltese that put the cuss in customer service!).

Also, I think there is still quite a state of flux. What we know for sure is on the sticky message above.

When me and my mother get to Malta, I'll be sure to let you know, and I'll try to offer advice on moving there too, as it's such a mine field!

Great!! But please do it through this forum so that others can find it easily and it doesn't contribute further to the confusion! The idea is that everybody who wants to join in can do so, not just me rattle out the same old answers to the same old questions all the time! Same goes for Suzi now she's over here - I hope she'll continue contributing. We are getting close to achieving a 'critical mass' of people that can make this a much more interesting forum for us over here as well as for those thinking of coming. We could do a restaurant guide for instance, or some cultural stuff, arrange face to face social events etc etc!

Tim, the moderater returns to gozo in the next week so I am sure he will add to my drivel.

The thing about being moderator is not to be the person who knows all the answers, or who has to put his 5 cents worth into every thread, but to be the one who makes sure things stay on track and don't turn spiteful or nasty. I'm very grateful to everybody who contributes here and, as mentioned above, hope we can now build this into a more rewarding scene for all of us - those already in Malta and Gozo as well as those hoping to come. Hopefully by the end of this summer we'll have a vibrant online community here!

Oh yeah, and the moderator gets to edit out all the drivel too, but Bill will have to get a lot less lucid before that happens to him! I don't have anything to add to his informative post, but Jess if you have further queries let us know and we will continue trying to clarify the fog!

By the way, just out of interest, what sort of crafts are you thinking of doing? I know another asthmatic crafts person, though she won't be setting up shop here, being American!

I'll ask about inhalers in the pharmacy in the next few days. I have to go there because the cat who looks after the house for me when I'm away has got worms and the lady in the pet shop (who barely speaks English) said to go to the chemist, tell them I need a Panadol for cats and how heavy the cat is and they'll make it up for me!

All the best,

Tim

[jess_r_579]

Hello Tim,

Thanks for your reply!

Ohh yes.. me and my mother have discovered that some questions just don't get answered. Many of the Maltese authorities seem to have a terrible problem with 'File 13'!

We thought we just had about settled everything for our move over too, but there is some debate now it seems on tightening up the so called 'loop hole' for self employed persons in Malta. Well, that's according to the Malta Times anyway, but then another article that I came across said that they just want to crack down on those hiring people illegally. They'll sort themselves out sooner or later I'm sure, but they could have been somewhat more considerate with their timing! Hehe!

Ahh yes... there certainly seems to be a lot of confusion still, even within the Maltese departments. I've lost count of the times where people have told me that me and my mother need either a temporary or permanent residency permits rather than the EU Nationals permit.

Oh of course! As soon as we know for sure just how to get to Malta post EU-accession, I'll be sure to let you know about it. And that's a great idea about arranging meet ups for members of the board!

As for the crafting ideas.. well my Mum will be taking charge of the paintings as she's much better at that then me. We'll also be making knitted and sewn accessories, clothes and furnishings (curtains, cushions, throws etc.). I'll be in charge of the jewellery design too, so we'll also be selling various pieces of jewellery and the likes. We'd be more than happy to make up custom pieces too, or repair items for people. And if there's a trend for asthmatic crafters, then we'll have to start a club! Hmm... or maybe start a range in hand crafter inhaler covers or purses? I've seen dafter things on the market!

Ahh thank you very much! I did email Saint James' Hospital about the costs, but I've not got any reply. Ooh.. I had no idea that Panadol worked for cats! Mind you, most of the medication for humans will work for animals too, and vice versa.

Thanks again for your reply!
Bye for now,
Jess

[Tim]

Hi Jess,

That's a wide range of crafts you're into. I'll look forward to seeing them some time!

I spoke to the chemist. She says they do carry inhalers in stock, but it is important to know from you which brand / chemical you use, to check that they've got the right one. You wouldn't need a prescription, but if they don't have the right one then you would need to see a doctor to sort out the changeover, dosage etc. Since I didn't know the brand and there was a queue behind me, I didn't ask about prices; if you let me know the details I can go back to do so.

I'd never heard of an EU Nationals Permit, so it proves how much help I can be on this forum, doesn't it!! I'm looking forward to you and others getting sorted and then getting on here with your experience for those following behind you!

Ciao,
Tim

[jess_r_579]

Hello everyone,

First things first, I hope you're all OK, and that you and your loved ones have not been caught up in the attacks in London. My heart goes out to those who have been affected by it all.

Thank you to Tim and Oceangoing for your replies

[nb Oceangoing's reply was very useful and would've got lost here so I've set it up as the 'Residence status etc' sticky thread. Tim].

I'll respond to them in turn, so that things are easier to read!

Ahh, thank you very much for asking about the inhalers. I didn't think to mention which brands I use, but below I've written out the ones I need. I've also noted the colours in case that makes any odds. I doubt it will, but best to have too much information I guess!

- Allen & Hanburys Flixotide 250mcg Evohaler (Red case with orange cap)

- Allen & Hanburys Serevent (Salmeterol xinafoate) Inhaler 25mcg (Green case with a mint green cap)

- Allen & Hanburys Ventolin (Salbutamol) Evohaler 100mcg (Blue case with a navy cap)

I hope that helps! If you need any more information just let me know.

Ahh yes, I was told by Solvit that as an EU national, you can obtain a residency permit that last for 5 years. It's also featured on the Europa website.

Oh, that's great news there Oceangoing! That would be great too, as at least then me and my Mum would have a chance to settle down, and sort everything else out.

Thanks again for the replies!
Bye for now,
Jess

[Tim]

Hi Jess,

Well, the good news about your meds is they are all readily available over here. But I'm afraid the costs are likely to bring on an attack all by themselves!

So get yourself sitting comfortably and take a deep breath...

Flixotide LM 13.10
Serevent LM 10.21
Ventolin LM 2.28

All the best,

Tim

[jess_r_579]

Hello Tim,

Thank you for checking up on the prices. I nearly fainted however! I had no idea that inhalers were so expensive in Malta though. I'll have a look into it again, and see if I can find any cheaper alternatives.

Thanks again!
Bye for now,
Jess

[oceangoing]

OK, this is not exactly an expat topic, but... what type of asthma do you have? I'm asking because my partner managed to get rid of his asthma completely - on his own, without help from the doctors. If you're interested, perhaps I can put you in touch and you can talk to him about it (off-list). He is completely off inhalers, although he took two different kinds regularly before.

Also - and this is not a long-term solution, but will at least help save some money for the first few months - why not tell your doctor you're going abroad and need a supply of inhalers for a couple of months. S/he writes you a prescription and you're set for a little while.

Sorry if I'm stating the obvious.

Best wishes

oceangoing

[jess_r_579]

Hello Oceangoing,

Well, my asthma isn't too bad now. I have it under control with the use of serevent and flixotide inhalers, and I have managed to half the so called recommended dosage. It was really bad at one point, but I suppose that was due to it not being diagnosed for some time. It's great though that your partner has been able to get rid of his asthma! If he's got any hints and tips, that'd be great. It all has to be worth a try if anything.

Ahh yes... I had thought of that. I'll get a good supply to take over with me, and that will be a big help. I'll be sure to get a doctors note for it too though, so that I don't get caught up in customs or something silly!

Oooh, and no need to apolagise! The more help the better I say! If anything, we can all toss ideas back and forth between us.

Bye for now,
Jess