Malta

Under 90 days: UK citizens can enter Malta (and the Schengen Area) visa-free for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned departure and issued within the last 10 years. For short internships, this is straightforward - no visa needed.

Over 90 days: You need a Single Permit - a combined work and residence permit issued by Identity Malta. Your employer must sponsor the application. Required documents include a signed employment contract, proof of accommodation, health insurance, and a clean criminal record. Processing takes 4-8 weeks, sometimes longer.

The honest picture: The bureaucracy is slow. Identity Malta is notoriously backed up with applications. Start the process as early as possible - ideally 10-12 weeks before your intended start date. Our team handles the paperwork and chases the agency on your behalf, but delays do happen.

Important: You cannot start working while your permit is being processed. Some companies work around this by having you begin in an "orientation" phase, but formally, you need the permit in hand before your first working day.

Malta is very safe. Violent crime against foreigners is extremely rare. The island has one of the lowest crime rates in the EU. You can walk around at night without the kind of caution you'd need in most European capitals.

What to watch for: Petty theft in crowded tourist areas (Valletta, Paceville) - keep your phone and wallet secure. Drink spiking has been reported in Paceville nightclubs - standard precautions apply. Road safety is the biggest genuine risk - Maltese drivers are aggressive and the roads are narrow with poor signage.

Health risks: Sunburn and dehydration in summer are real concerns - temperatures above 35°C with high humidity are no joke. Stay hydrated. Tap water is technically safe but most people drink bottled due to taste. Jellyfish are common in summer - not dangerous, just annoying.

Healthcare: Mater Dei Hospital is a modern, well-equipped public hospital. As a post-Brexit UK citizen, you are no longer covered by GHIC/EHIC. Private health insurance is strongly recommended. An A&E visit without cover can cost £200+.

St Julian's: Where most iGaming companies are based. Walking distance to work for many interns. Paceville (nightlife district) is here - great or terrible depending on your tolerance for noise. Shared room: £550-700/mo.

Sliema: The expat favourite. Seafront promenade, shops, restaurants, good bus connections. Slightly more residential than St Julian's. Shared room: £550-700/mo.

Gzira/Msida: The budget-friendly alternative. Between Sliema and Valletta, with university proximity. Less polished but significantly cheaper. Shared room: £425-550/mo. This is where most interns on a budget end up.

Valletta: The capital. Beautiful, UNESCO-listed, but limited rental options and can feel quiet in the evening. Suited for culture lovers. Shared room: £500-650/mo.

Gozo: Malta's sister island. Beautiful and cheap (rooms from £340/mo) but impractical unless your placement is there. The ferry takes 25 minutes but the commute adds up.

Malta's iGaming sector is genuinely impressive. Over 300 licensed companies, thousands of international employees, and a mature ecosystem with regular industry events, networking meetups, and conferences (like SiGMA, held in Malta every November).

What you'll learn: iGaming companies are essentially tech companies with complex products, huge marketing budgets, strict regulatory requirements, and multi-market operations. An intern can get exposure to product development, performance marketing, data analytics, compliance, customer operations, and more - often all within one placement.

Career value: iGaming experience is highly transferable. The skills in data, marketing, compliance, and tech translate directly to fintech, e-commerce, SaaS, and traditional finance. Many former iGaming professionals now work at major tech companies across Europe.

The downside: Some people have ethical concerns about the gambling industry. That's a personal decision. We'll always be honest about what a company does so you can make an informed choice.

Buses: The Tallinja bus network covers the entire island. A monthly pass costs just £22 - by far the cheapest transport option. Buses are air-conditioned but can be unreliable (late, crowded, or simply not showing up). Download the Tallinja app for real-time tracking.

Bolt/ride-hailing: Available and affordable for occasional use (£3-8 for most trips). Useful for nights out or when the bus doesn't go where you need.

Walking: Many areas (Sliema-St Julian's-Gzira) are walkable. The seafront promenade connects them. In summer, walking in the heat requires planning.

Driving: Not recommended unless essential. Traffic is terrible, parking is scarce, and insurance for rental cars is expensive. Malta drives on the left (like the UK), which is one small comfort.

Boat trip to Comino and the Blue Lagoon (book early - it gets crowded in summer), scuba diving at some of the best sites in the Mediterranean, day trip to Gozo (Victoria's Citadel, Ramla Bay, Azure Window site), exploring Valletta's museums and cafes, rooftop bars in St Julian's, temple visits at Hagar Qim and Mnajdra (older than the pyramids), and swimming at the many rocky coves around the coast. The intern community organises group activities regularly.

It depends on the sector. iGaming and fintech companies often pay intern stipends of EUR 800-1,200 per month - significantly better than most European internship destinations. Hospitality and marketing agency roles are more likely to be unpaid or offer a small allowance. Malta's minimum wage is EUR 229 per week (roughly £195). Paid internships require a work permit, which your employer must sponsor.

Potentially, yes. The Turing Scheme funds international placements through participating UK universities. You cannot apply directly - check with your university's placement or international office. The scheme covers travel and living expenses and is confirmed through the 2026-27 academic year. We provide all the documentation your university will need.

Most UK universities accept international placements if they meet their learning criteria. Malta's regulated industries (iGaming, fintech) provide structured, professional environments that universities tend to view favourably. We provide formal documentation including learning agreements, supervisor reports, and internship confirmations. We have experience with placement year, sandwich year, and year in industry formats.

No. English is one of Malta's two official languages - a legacy of British colonial rule until 1964. All business, government, and education operates in English. You will never struggle to communicate. Maltese (the other official language) is spoken between locals, but everyone speaks fluent English. This is genuinely one of Malta's biggest advantages over other European destinations.

3-6 months is the sweet spot. Under 3 months and you're only just settling in. Over 6 months and the small island can start to feel limiting - though some students do a full placement year and love it. For visa simplicity, staying under 90 days avoids the Single Permit process entirely. If your placement year requires 6+ months, start the permit application early.

Yes. Malta is one of the safest countries in Europe for women. The island is small enough that you're never far from populated areas. Standard precautions apply in Paceville at night (as with any nightlife district). The intern and expat community is welcoming, and our local team provides a safety briefing on arrival and is available around the clock. Many of our female interns specifically cite feeling safe as a highlight.

Spring (April-June) and autumn (September-November) are ideal - warm weather (20-28°C), lower rents, and fewer tourists. Summer (July-August) is extremely hot and peak season with inflated rents. Winter (December-February) is mild by UK standards (12-16°C) with occasional rain, and offers the cheapest accommodation. The iGaming sector operates year-round, so placement availability is not seasonal.

Gzira and Msida offer the best value near the main business areas - shared rooms from £425/month. Bugibba/Qawra in the north are cheaper still (from £380/month) but further from St Julian's and Sliema. Gozo is cheapest of all (from £340/month) but only practical if your placement is on the island. Within the central area, the further you are from the Sliema-St Julian's seafront, the cheaper rent gets.