Living in Sliema
What it really costs to live in Sliema, what you can earn, the visas that get you in, and the taxes you'll pay — for Malta, updated 2026. Sliema is the most affordable of the 3 Malta cities we track, so it can be a smarter base than the capital if budget matters. Sliema lies in Southern Europe. Malta's capital is Valletta. The main languages are Maltese, English. The currency is the euro.
Cost of Living in Sliema
Full Monthly Breakdown for Sliema
How Sliema Compares to Other Malta Cities
Sliema is not the only option in Malta. Here is how its single-person monthly cost (€1 750) stacks up against the other cities we track — Sliema is the cheapest, Valletta the priciest.
| City | Single / month | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| St. Julian's | €1 750/mo | 0% vs Sliema |
| Valletta (capital) | €1 750/mo | 0% vs Sliema |
What You Can Earn in Malta
Typical gross annual salaries in Malta by sector (entry · median · senior). Sliema pay usually sits around the national median.
| Sector | Entry | Median | Senior |
|---|---|---|---|
| it | €29 500 | €42 000 | €59 000 |
| retail | €12 500 | €18 000 | €25 000 |
| finance | €28 500 | €41 000 | €57 500 |
| education | €18 000 | €26 000 | €36 500 |
| healthcare | €21 500 | €31 000 | €43 500 |
| engineering | €26 500 | €38 000 | €53 000 |
| hospitality | €14 000 | €20 000 | €28 000 |
| construction | €20 500 | €29 000 | €40 500 |
Living in Sliema: Safety, Health & Climate
Sliema shares Malta's wider quality-of-life profile. Sliema has a mediterranean climate. Here is what daily life looks like on the things that matter most when you relocate.
Visa Routes to Malta
Affording Sliema is only half the question — you also need a visa that lets you stay in Malta. The main routes:
- A job offer is normally required for the main work route.
- Permanent residence after about 5 years.
- Citizenship after ~5 years — dual nationality allowed.
- Investment route from about €220 000 (USD).
Taxes in Malta
Top marginal rate 35%, VAT 18%. Special regime — Global Residence Programme: 15% flat tax on foreign income remitted to Malta. EUR 15,000 minimum tax | Highly Qualified Persons: Flat 15% tax on employment income for qualifying roles. 5 years
Settling into Sliema
- Foreigners can open a local bank account in Malta.
- Budget around €1 800 for first-month setup in Sliema.
- Regulated professions needing credential recognition: Medicine, Law, Engineering, Architecture, Accounting, Teaching.
Get Your Malta Emigration Report
Personalised visa options, costs and a 90-day plan for Malta.
Get Essential Report — €5or start the free assessmentSliema FAQ
How much does it cost to live in Sliema?
A single person in central Sliema should budget about €1 750/month, roughly €1 488 outside the centre. A family of four needs around €4 000/month.
Can I get a visa to live in Malta?
Yes — the main route usually needs a job offer, with permanent residence reachable in about 5 years. See the full Malta visa comparison for the route that fits you.
Sources: salaries, taxes, safety, healthcare and visa data from World Bank, OECD, the Global Peace Index and official government portals. Cost-of-living figures are community-sourced benchmarks — a guide, not a quote. Last reviewed 2026-05.
Related: Malta Guide · Visa Comparison · All Countries