Global Real Estate Markets Series | Malta

Hi, I'm Fabio Lombardi, Director and Head of Global Affiliates at Bathrooms. Welcome back to our series, where in each episode, we explore the world's most compelling real estate markets. My name is Andrew Camilleri and I'm one of the Directors of Arcus Estates. Today, I'm pleased to talk about Malta, a place known for its unique blend of culture, history and modernity. With its dynamic atmosphere and growing influence, Malta continues to capture the world's attention. The property market in Malta has been on an upward trend for the last 40 to 50 years. Traditionally, the capital appreciation is between 5% to 7% per annum. Predominantly, the most sought-after areas in Malta are the downtown area, which is Sliema, St. Julian's and Valletta. This is because there are several hotels, restaurants and businesses alike. More or less, one can achieve between 5% to 7% ROI per year. The purchase process for both locals and foreigners is more or less the same. The only difference is that for non-EU nationals, one would have to obtain an Acquisition of Immovable Property Permit. This permit is 99% granted on most cases, but prohibits the individual from renting out the property. For non-EU nationals who would like to invest in Malta in order to rent out the property, one would have to look for properties in special designated areas. There are 16 special designated areas in Malta. These areas are typically high-end projects, gated community projects with several amenities attached to them, such as communal pools, high-end restaurants, cafeterias and also high-end shopping malls. During the last number of years, Malta has been steadily moving away from quantity to quality. There are several up-and-coming developments which are focusing on luxury. The two most notable developments to date are the Mercury Tower development, which is the last ever tower designed by the late Zaha Hadid, and also the Ora Residence, part of the Hard Rock Hotel. The luxury property in Malta is predominantly in the east of the island, which is the areas of Madlena, Slema, St. Julian's, Valletta and the neighbouring areas. For a two-three-bedroom apartment sea-facing, the entry level is around 800,000 to a million. They keep on going up depending on the level and the view of the property. The two most sought-after villa areas in Malta are Madlena and Santa Maria Este. Here, property prices start at 2.5 million. Thank you for tuning in. Stay tuned for more insights in the world of real estate, and don't forget to subscribe to our channel for the latest updates from the global luxury property market. Thanks for watching and see you in the next episode.