Local culture in Malta

Many people are attracted to Malta because of the mild yet sunny climate, the proliferation of English among locals, and the island's affordability compared to other European destinations. Malta offers a broadly Mediterranean lifestyle but has a large expat population and hosts countless tourists, which may ease the transition. Despite some things being unfamiliar at first, you should find it fairly easy to adjust to the local culture in Malta.

Language barrier in Malta

How you approach the language barrier in Malta depends on your expectations. Most people in Malta speak English and signs are often bilingual, so expats often don't learn Maltese and are still able to get through their daily business without much trouble. This may limit opportunities to make local friends, though.

If you want to integrate into your new community, learning some Maltese is an ideal way to do so. The language stems from Arabic, uses a Latin alphabet and borrows words from European languages, particularly Sicilian Italian, reflecting the island country's interesting history. A few basic phrases can go a long way towards bridging cultural differences.

Religion in Malta

Roman Catholicism is the state religion in Malta and is the foundation for many of its customs. The most important and celebrated dates on the Maltese social calendar are the Catholic festivals and saints’ feast days.

An emphasis on the traditional family structure affects every interaction in Malta, and the island's small size further reinforces this. Gender roles in Malta are more traditional and the social groups are tight-knit. Making local friends can be challenging but is ultimately worthwhile for a fuller experience.

Time in Malta

Many of the expats living in Malta are retirees attracted to the idea of living a slow-paced life. While this sounds easy enough, it might take a while to adjust to time in Malta.

People do not mind taking their time perusing the stores of specialised traders to get their groceries, so there aren't many supermarkets. Siestas are common among smaller businesses, with many staying open later. The general service can seem slow-moving, which may be frustrating for some expats.

Understanding and accepting that things take a bit longer are vital to adjusting to life in Malta – and stopping to appreciate the little things can improve your stay in the island country.