British Traces in Malta: Language, Driving, and Red Phone Boxes

It has been over half a century since Malta gained its independence. Until then, the island was under British rule, making it one of the last colonies to break away. But what actually remains of that era? Is Malta still British at heart?

English is still the official language

The most obvious remnant of the colonial era is undoubtedly the language. English is still an official language here. This is a massive advantage for holidaymakers and, of course, for my clients.

I’m thinking specifically about the paperwork for setting up a Malta Limited. If these forms were only in Malti – the local language that sounds like a mix of Arabic and Italian – it would be a serious hurdle, and not just for us at Dr. Werner & Partners. As it stands, you can communicate practically anywhere, although you do occasionally meet the odd "refuser" who prefers to stick strictly to Malti.

Driving on the left: A challenge for non-Brits

In Malta, we drive on the left. It’s as normal here as Sunday mass. Just like in the UK, left-hand traffic can cause confusion for the uninitiated.

If you live here, you get used to it quickly. However, I’ve seen plenty of tourists fall back into their right-hand drive routines, which often ends in a crash. If you stay focused – especially when turning right or entering a roundabout – you’ll be fine. For my British clients, of course, it’s just like driving at home (albeit with more sunshine).

Red letterboxes and phone booths

Visually, the British legacy is impossible to miss. The red letterboxes and phone booths dotted around the island are "very British" in the truest sense. They look identical to the originals in England. Standing inside one, you really do feel like you’ve been transported back to the UK.

The one big difference: The weather

There is, however, one decisive difference between the two nations. While rain and grey skies are practically part of the furniture in England, Malta is one of the sunniest countries in the EU. We enjoy over 300 days of sunshine a year.

This climate, combined with the Mediterranean lifestyle, makes the island just that little bit more appealing than the former "mother country" – at least in my opinion.