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Essential Malta: Importing a Car

Essential Malta: Importing a Car

There are a lot of steps to climb if you want to import a car into Malta!

There are a lot of steps to climb if you want to import a car into Malta!

This is probably one of the most difficult topics we’ve covered. We can only guide you, provide some personal insights and give you a feeling for what’s involved. We’ll be building on this article, adding to the body of links here. Your insights will be invaluable too.

Basic background
If you are foreign and importing a car into Malta to drive it here beyond the six months deemed permissible as a ‘tourist’ stay, then you will have to pay a vehicle registration tax (though may be eligible for an exemption). If you have a Maltese ID card, you will not be able to drive the car beyond the ferry and home, if that, without having it licensed here. With Maltese ID, you cannot claim to be a tourist visiting.

Vehicle Registration Tax
Malta has among the highest registration taxes for most types of vehicles. Some concessions were made in the 2008 budget, effective from 1 January 2009, that reduced the tax on some small- and medium-sized vehicles but increased them for larger ones. The new system was introduced to encourage us to purchase/import more environmentally-friendly cars so the calculations involve the registered value (RV), car length, carbon dioxide emission volumes and particulate matter volumes (diesel only). Also, under the new system comes a useful exemption – private individuals relocating to Malta will be able to bring in a car they’ve owned for two or more years without having to pay vehicle registration tax here. This exemption is limited to one vehicle per person relocating.

Of key interest to those bringing a car into Malta is the Registration Value (RV). The old system depended on a valuation carried out by the Malta Transport Authority and was a somewhat haphazard affair I’ve heard. But now, to quote the official document: “As of 1st January 2009, the valuation system [is] replaced with a new system which will take into account the depreciation rate (and residual value) of a similar vehicle in Malta, and [is] available online. The system [allows] the user to calculate the tax that would be due if the vehicle were to be registered.”

Vehicle registation tax rates have long been a contentious issue, among both local Maltese and incoming residents – the latter often left facing a nasty tax shock when their six months’ temporary vehicle permit (tourist stay period on the vehicle) is up! It can still be the case, when the RV calculations are done, that you face car registration taxes that are higher than the real value of the car. But, since used car prices hold up in Malta (see photo above for how we keep our cars going!), you might end up selling it here and not losing out too much in the long run, depending on vehicle type and its demand.

If you do end up driving a car with foreign plates for several months here, but within your six-month, temporary permit period (which you should get earlier rather than later in your stay!), you might be pulled over by ADT (Malta Transport Authority) officials doing road-side, spot checks. They can be officious. Know your rights – click here for some advice on how to deal with this.

Procedures
These are quite long and complicated and we’ve some links to help get you through them.
ADT siteRegistration, Tax & Documentation‘ page gives you a blow by blow list of the procedures and what paperwork you’ll need.
The Malta Chamber for SMEs – the GRTU – has an unofficial guide that makes for an interesting read, and mirrors the official one step by step.
British Expat Forum – Malta has lots of Q&A threads that are worth spending an hour drilling through.

Official Links:
The ADT is the Malta Transport Authority. Its site has downloadable forms and details of the various, possibly useful, tax exemptions such as for overseas’ students or people taking up fixed-term, contract work in Malta who wish to bring their own car in with them for their stay.
http://www.maltatransport.com/en/

http://www.valuation.vehicleregistration.gov.mt/Car.aspx This is a quick, online calculator of the RV you can expect to pay.

Expat Insights
If expats have friends already here, they know the ropes and often opt to hire or buy in situ in Malta. Average hire car rates, for a family car (Ford Focus) on long-term hire, can be around €10/day.

Here’s one car import tale:
“Bringing the car in was fairly easy as you are given a 6 month visitor’s permit. However, the hassle started once this permit ran out. We were being asked to pay massive duty on the car (I think it was about 60% of the total car value) to get Maltese registration or send it back to the UK. Finally, after many meetings and heated discussions my husband ended up meeting both the finance and transport ministers (eds. note: Malta is small, and if your business has clout or you have connections, it’s possible!….) to get them to agree on an exemption for cars of incoming foreign staff at our firm. This meant we only had to pay a comparatively small fee to get it registered. The ADT seem to have clamped down significantly on foreign cars. Our main issues were: (1) duties and (2) the whole minefield of a procedure for getting the car registered.

Would I do it again? Maybe if laws on duty were relaxed – but at the time? No! It was major hassle and meant we couldn’t drive the car for months on end once the permit had expired. One guy I know in the same firm had his car seized and was told: either pay the duty or put the car on the next ferry out of Malta.

Another person’s experience…
We now have some kind of deal on vehicle registration tax because we have had the car more than 2 yrs and therefore fulfilled another criteria. We paid around €300 to get it registered with ADT, BUT they have our UK plates and logbook – which basically means we can’t sell the car here. Unless of course we pay the import duty, which seems to be assessed also, unofficial word has it, on the state of your car; if it looks a bit bashed up, you are more likely to get a lower rate!”

Photo: Gethin Thomas

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Posted in Arrival, Car hire, Driving, Expats, Work3 Comments

Essential Malta: Business Links

Essential Malta: Business Links

Business information in Malta used to be about walking past shop fronts.  Now it's more likely found online.

Business information in Malta used to be about walking past shop fronts. Now it's more likely found online.

This is a single listing page of the kind of contact details individuals and firms might need when exploring business opportunities or setting up in Malta, or just wanting to forge links with the islands’ business community. This list will serve you well for standard ‘first port of call’ type enquiries about living, working and doing business here in Malta. We’ll be adding to it as we go along so feel free to add comments on what we may have missed out. We’ll be posting more ‘Essential Malta’ listings on specialist areas such as Visas, Personal Tax, Schooling and so on.

Business Associations

Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise & Industry
(encorporates the former ‘Malta Federation of Industry’)
Exchange Buildings
Republic Street
Valletta VLT 1117
Malta
Tel: (+356) 2123 3873
Fax: (+356) 2124 5223
Email: admin@maltachamber.org.mt
Web:www.maltachamber.org.mt

Malta Hotels & Restaurants Association
Nr 2, Gallina Street,
Kappara SGN4111
San Gwann
Malta
Tel: +356 21318133/4
Fax: +356 21336477
Email: mhra@mhra.org.mt
Web: www.mhra.org.mt

Diplomatic & Expat

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malta
Useful for Visa, Expat and advice to third country (non-EU) nationals
Palazzo Parisio
Merchant Street
Valletta
Malta, VLT 1171
E-mail: info@mfa.gov.mt
Tel: (+356) 2124 2191
Fax: (+356) 2123 6604
(see also government portal).

Employment & Education

Employment & Training Corporation
Head Office
Hal Far BBG 3000
Malta
Tel: (+356) 2165 4940
Fax: (+356) 2220 1811
Email: etc@gov.mt
www.etc.gov.mt

University of Malta
Msida MSD 2080
Malta
Tel: (+356) 2133 3903
Fax: (+356) 2133 6450
Email: comms@edu.com.mt
Web: www.um.edu.mt

Federation of English Language Schools Malta (FELTOM)
c/o The Radisson Blu St. Julian’s
St. George’s Bay
St. Julian’s STJ 3391
Malta
Tel: (+356) 2744 5422
Email: executive@feltom.com
Web: www.feltom.com

See also the Malta government portal.

Finance & Banking

Central Bank of Malta
Pjazza Kastilja,
Valletta, VLT 1060,
Malta
Tel: (00356) 2550 0000
Fax: (00356) 2550 2500
Email: info@centralbankmalta.org
Web: www.centralbankmalta.org

Malta Financial Services Authority
Notabile Road
Attard BKR 3000
Malta
Tel: (+356) 2144 1155
Fax: (+356) 2144 1188
Email:communications@mfsa.com.mt
Web: www.mfsa.com.mt

Finance Malta
A non-profit, public-private initiative, set up as an autonomous Foundation in 2007 aimed at promoting Malta as a financial services centre. It has a secretariat based at Malta Stock Exchange (see below).
Web: www.financemalta.org
Email: info@financemalta.org

Malta Stock Exchange
Garrison Chapel
Castille Place
Valletta VLT 1063
Malta
Tel: (+356) 2124 4051
Fax: (+356) 2569 6316
Email:borza@borzamalta.com.mt
Web: www.borzamalta.com.mt

VAT Department
16, Centre Point Building
Triq ta’ Paris
Birkirkara CMR 02.
Tel: (00356) 21 499330-4/6. Fax: (00356) 21 499365
Web: www.vat.gov.mt
Email: vat@gov.mt

Malta Environment & Planning Authority
St Francis Ravelin
Floriana FRN 1230
Malta
Tel: (+356) 2290 0000
Fax: (+356) 2290 2295
Email:enquiries@mepa.org.mt
Web: www.mepa.org.mt

Media & Communications

Malta Communications Authority
Valletta Waterfront
Pinto Wharf
Valletta FRN 1913
Malta
Tel: (+356) 2133 6840
Fax: (+356) 2133 6846
Email: info@mca.org.mt
Web: www.mca.org.mt

Malta Information Technology Agency
MITA has been entrusted by government with executing the Smart Island Strategy 2010, and with promoting the national ICT policy.
Gattard House
National Road
Blata-l-Bajda HMR 9010
Malta
Tel: (356) 2123 4710
Email: webmaster@mita.gov.mt
Web: www.mita.gov.mt

Tourism

Malta Tourism Authority
Auberge d’Italie
Merchants Street
Valletta VLT 1170
Malta
Tel: (+356) 2291 5000
Fax: (+356) 2291 5893
Email: info@mta.com.mt
Web: www.mta.com.mt

Trade & Inward Investment

Malta Enterprise
Industrial Estate
San Gwann SGN 3000
MALTA
Tel: +356 2542 0000
Fax: +356 2542 3401
Email:info@maltaenterprise.com
Web: www.maltaenterprise.com

Transport & Shipping

Air Malta plc
Head Office
Luqa LQA 4000
Malta
Tel: (+356) 2122 9990
Fax: (+356) 2167 3241
Email: info@airmalta.com.mt
Web: www.airmalta.com

Gozo Channel Company
Head Office
Mgarr Harbour
Mgarr – Gozo (Malta)
Tel: (+356) 2155 6114
Fax: (+356) 2155 6743
Email: admin@gozochannel.com
Web: www.gozochannel.com

Malta International Airport plc
Website has all flight arrivals and departures, schedules and more or less ‘real-time’ updates.
Luqa LQA 4000
Malta
Tel: (+356) 2124 9600
Fax: (+356) 2124 9563
Email: mia@maltaiport.com
Web: www.maltairport.com

Malta Freeport Terminals Ltd
Freeport Centre
Port of Marsaxlokk
Kalafrana BBG 3011
Malta
Tel: (+356) 2165 0200
Fax: (+356) 2225 1900
Email: marketing@maltafreeport.com.mt
Web: www.maltafreeport.com.mt

Malta Maritime Authority
Maritime Trade Centre
Xatt L-Ghassara ta’ l-Gheneb
Marsa MRS 1917
Malta
Tel: (+356) 2122 2203
Fax: (+356) 2125 0365
Email: info@mma.gov.mt
Web: www.mma.gov.mt

Yachting Centre Directorate
Ta’ Xbiex Seafront,
Ta’ Xbiex XBX 1028
Malta
Tel: (356) 2133 2800
Fax: (356) 2133 2141
Email: info@mma.gov.mt

Utilities

Enemalta Corporation
Customer Care Section
Triq Belt il-Hazna
Marsa HMR 01
Malta
Tel: (+356) 2122 4600 Fax: (+356) 2122 6637
Email: customercare@enemalta.com.mt
Web:
http://www.enemalta.com.mt

Water Services Corporation
Qormi Road
Luqa LQA 9043
Malta
Tel: (+356) 2244 5566 Fax: (+356) 2244 3900
Email: customercare@wcs.com.mt
Web: www.wsc.com.mt

Miscellaneous

Lotteries and Gaming Authority
La Concorde
Abate Rigord Street
Ta’ Xbiex XBX 1121
Malta
Tel +356 21316590/1/3/4
Email: info@lga.org.mt
Web: www.lga.org.mt

National Statistics Office
Web: www.nso.gov.mt

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Posted in Business, Expats, Travel, Work2 Comments

Top places in Malta for a relaxed business meeting

Top places in Malta for a relaxed business meeting

Cappuccino and a cornetto

Malta has some great places if you want to have a business meeting in an informal setting. Or it may well be that you just don’t have an office, and need to have access to a place where you can meet someone in peace and quiet over a drink and some snacks. These are our personal favourites, but we can always add to this list if there are some hidden gems we have missed.

1. Café Juliani, St Julians. Otherwise known as the lobby cum cafe of the Hotel Juliani. This is anything but your normal hotel lobby – in fact, it’s difficult to actually spot the reception area. Here you get wi-fi, comfortable seating, pastel furnishings and areas for tete a tetes or group huddles in the sofa area hidden at the back of the cafe. The food is pretty decent and you can find parking close by.

2. Café La Rive, 33-34, Tigne Sea Front, Sliema. Just walk past the really busy cafe’s at Ferries and you will get to La Rive. Wi-fi, leather sofas if you want them, and lovely pastas and giant salads. As long as you avoid the very busy lunchtime slots, you’re normally guaranteed peace and quiet. And it stays open late.

3. Prego, 58, South Street, Valletta. If you want to chat over classic ham, egg and mayonnaise sandwiches or pastizzi in 1950s decor, this is the place for you. A throwback to old Valletta, no wi-fi but plenty of atmosphere. More here.

4. Saracino’s, Pjazza tal-Knisja, Attard. Grab a wrap, a baguette or even a pizza in this converted farmhouse in a very charming setting opposite the parish church.

5. Manoel Theatre Café, Old Theatre Street, Valletta. A bit more up-market, if you want to impress your business associates in a cultural setting. And a lovely courtyard to behold.

6. Irrera, Ta’ Xbiex Wharf, Ta’Xbiex. The place to go to if you want Valletta bastions for a view. Food is OK, but it’s really the ambience that sets this one apart, especially on a sunny day. Gets busy round lunchtime.

7. Café Jubilee, 209, The Strand, Gzira. If you walk to the back of the cafe, you get some quiet seating areas. Food is good, the beer is even better and you get wi-fi if you ask for the password from the guys in the bar.

8. The Golden Harvest Bakery, San Gwann Industrial Estate, San Gwann. What it lacks in style it packs in with great value snacks, great cappuccino and fresh bread and confectioneries if you want to take some goodies back home.  Not for everyone, but to be listed under ‘alternative’.

9. German-Maltese Circle, Messina Palace 141, St Christopher Street, Valletta. Grab a soup or whatever’s being served and chat to your heart’s content in the lovely converted arched inner yard.

10. Café Cordina, 244/5 Republic Street, Valletta. The queen of cafés and more. Go inside if it’s cold or want to get closer to the confectionery. Or find an isolated table in the square and put on your shades. Not the most discreet of places. But a great location if you want to impress foreign visitors.

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Posted in Business, Cafes, Featured, Work1 Comment

Mobile Monday comes to Malta

Mobile Monday comes to Malta

Mobile Monday, a networking forum for those in to all things mobile

Mobile Monday, a networking forum for those in to all things mobile

Malta prides itself on having a great mobile network – even if we keep waiting for tariffs to creep down to mainland EU levels. For most of us, the days when calls dropped because of lack of coverage are long gone. There’s also finally some element of competition between the three main mobile providers.

Now, there’s going to be a forum for anyone interested in mobile to talk about these issues and more, whichever operator they advocate or subscribe to. A forum for exchange, intelligent debate and promotion of the best that mobile technologies can bring Malta.

Those of you interested in all things mobile, take note of the launch of Mobile Monday in Malta on 14 September. Mobile Monday is a global grass roots organisation present in over seventy countries / regions, focusing on the mobile industry. It’s a framework for regular live networking events for professionals within the mobile industry, and others increasingly converging with it, such as ICT, entertainment, publishing, and others. People use Mobile Monday to meet regularly to discuss, network, exchange ideas and create value for themselves, and their communities.

It’s free to attend and participate. As well as networking, the major objective of the organisation and all its chapters is to act as a catalyst for innovative companies and new ideas, and to bring fresh global ideas and services to the local market. It’s also there to help local market players – established, and budding entrepreneurs – to find partners across the globe through the Mobile Monday Global network.

The Malta chapter kicks off with Jari Tammisto and MadanMohan Rao, two international mobile visionaries.

If you are an entrepreneur, mobile enthusiast, technology worker, or just plain interested in joining this exciting community, be sure to register your attendance here. There’s further information on the event and speakers at Mobile Monday Malta’s website.

The event on the 14th September is at the Palace Hotel, Sliema. Things kick off at 18.30 hrs.

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Posted in Business, Events, People, Work0 Comments

Where to find free Wi-Fi hotspots in Malta

Where to find free Wi-Fi hotspots in Malta

W-Fi waterside, if you trust your laptop so near!

Wi-Fi waterside, if you trust your laptop so near!

There are Wi-Fi hot spots across Malta now, but not all are conducive to business meetings or quiet working. You can work in most hotel lobbies, for instance – but most expect you to buy a voucher. The list below includes locations I have used in the past to access wireless internet for free. We’ll keep it updated. Please include any others you are aware of in the comments section below and feel free to add info on coffees, snacks and other facilities that go with the Wi-Fi!

All McDonald’s across the islands

St Julians

Cafe Juliani – lobby of Hotel Juliani (just buy a cappuccino)

Bianco’s – cafe, Spinola Bay

Balluta Bay Gardens – wifi zone between Exiles and Cara’s

Paceville

Hang around outside the large English Language Schools like EC or EF.  There are wireless zones here, primarily from spillage in the business centres.

Bay Street Shopping Centre

Westin Dragonara

Portomaso

Cafe Nero

Eden Superbowl (next to Eden Cinemas)

Sliema

McCafe at the Plaza Centre

McDonalds by the Ferries

Plevna Hotel in Hughes Hallet Street

St James Hospital

Café La Rive

Misto

Valletta

British Hotel

Marks & Spencer, cafe (entrance: Strait Street)

McDonald’s

Burger King (requires login, ask at the counter)

Cafe’ Jubilee (requires login, ask at the counter)

Ta’ Xbiex

Irrera

Mdina

Outside Xara Palace hotel, by the Trattoria A.D. 1530

At the Carmelite Priory Museum cafe, in Villegaignon Street

Elsewhere

University

South East Cafe in Marsaxlokk

Malta International Airport – where you can see the ‘Open‘ logo in a public place

Luqa – McDonald’s by the airport

Cafe Jubilee Gzira & its Gozo outlet (Victoria) too:  ask the waiters for the FREE pass key.

Melita cafe in Balzan, next to San Anton Gardens

Melita outlets – just park yourself outside a Melita showroom. Their networks are currently open.

Meet ‘N Eat, just outside the University gate (we’re told you can get chicken ftiras there too!)

GOZO

All McDonalds outlets
Cafe Jubilee, Rabat

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Article sponsored by:

Stephen Hall, Your iTdept 53 Norfolk Street Sliema SLM 2014 Web: www.youritdept.biz Email: info@youritdept.biz Tel: +356 2133 0879 Mob: +356 7932 4522 Skype: youritdept LinkedIn: Your iTdept Facebook: Stephen Hall Twitter: twitter.com/liveITsupport

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