Moving to Malta: What You Need to Know About Mobile Contracts

For many people, moving abroad is a lifelong dream. Every year, I see plenty of new arrivals landing in Malta to try their luck, often driven by the potential for tax optimization. But moving to Malta isn't just about the big picture; it involves a lot of organizational legwork to keep your daily life running smoothly. In this post, I want to share what you need to know about getting a mobile phone contract here.

GO, Melita, and Epic are the main providers

The three main providers for internet in Malta—GO, Melita, and Epic (formerly Vodafone)—also handle the mobile market. Generally, the packages and pricing are quite similar to what you might be used to in the UK or mainland Europe. I’ll focus on GO for this example, but the other providers offer very similar product portfolios.

How Maltese contracts compare to international standards

GO Malta offers mobile contracts that are billed monthly, just like standard plans back home. You have the choice between prepaid options and standard two-year contracts.

To give you an idea of the pricing structure: you might see a plan around €47 per month offering 2GB of data along with unlimited calls and SMS. Usually, these are SIM-only deals, but signing a contract often allows you to purchase a handset from the shop at a discounted rate.

Buy your phone abroad, not in Malta

While we're on the subject of handsets, this is where Malta’s "island status" really becomes apparent. In the UK or Germany, new smartphones are usually available immediately and at competitive prices. That’s simply not the case here.

The selection is often limited, and retailers add a significant markup to cover import costs. If you’re looking to buy a new phone, I’d honestly recommend waiting until your next trip abroad to buy it. You will get a better price and a wider choice.

If you’ve just relocated, you won’t have any trouble finding a suitable mobile contract. It’s a straightforward process. Just remember my tip: get the SIM card here, but buy the actual phone elsewhere.