All you need to know about what it’s like to live and work in Malta

The current world population is 8,258,486,848 (8.2 billion) as of Saturday, November 22, 2025, and approximately 547,700 of them live in Malta.

It’s one of the tiniest countries in the world; even New York City is 11.5 times bigger than the island. But Gwendolyn Amanda Johnson, a Malaysian living in Malta, is making the most out of the tiny island.

“If you look at the map, you can actually barely see it,” Johnson shares. “You have to keep zooming in to find the small island. As small as it is, it’s beautiful in its own way. That’s why a lot of tourists come to visit.”

It was in Malta that Johnson decided to pursue a career in Emergency Medicine. Source: Gwendolyn Johnson

Here’s how this doctor ended up in Malta

Working in Malta wasn’t a part of Johnson’s plan. 

“I had two non-negotiables when looking for a job,” she explains. “I want to work in a country that pays me in a higher currency than Malaysia, and the country has to speak mainly in English, only because I have no more energy in me to learn a new language just to work there.”

It was then, during her Doctor of Medicine degree at the Medical University of Lodz in Poland, that she heard about work opportunities in Malta — all thanks to her seniors. 

It ticked both of her boxes. 

In Malaysia, doctors make approximately 84,000 Malaysian ringgit (US$20,284) per year. Meanwhile, in Malta, doctors are paid an average base salary of 111,248 euros (US$128,203), which is over 80% higher.

The best part? English is one of the two official languages of Malta, along with Maltese.

“I applied for a job here in Malta, and it was before I received my final grade ranking, which was not good, so I thought I was not going to get it,” Johnson admits. “I thought to myself that I’ll just return to Malaysia, but I ended up getting the offer.” 

Today, she works in emergency medicine and has been living in Malta for the past three and a half years.

Johnson, who comes from Ipoh, Perak, is the eldest child of a former army personnel and an accountant. Source: Gwendolyn Johnson

What it’s like working and living in Malta

Malta is known for its warmth, hospitality, beaches, history, and its “cultural melting pot”. Its language itself, the Maltese language, is a result of the fusion of North African Arabic and a Sicilian dialect of Italian.

“The country thrives in the summer because of its beaches, partying, and snorkelling,” Johnson shares. “The best part is that everything is nearby to each other.”

The island of Malta has a total area of 246 square kilometres. For Johnson, living in Malta means it will only take her 20 minutes to drive from her house to the airport. Even her job is just a 10-minute walk away. She takes it as a win, as it helps her achieve a balanced lifestyle. 

“I don’t have a car, so I walk everywhere or take a bus,” she says. “I even carry heavy groceries back home. It helps me have a physical lifestyle.”

 

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The weather is perfect for walking in too when living in Malta. There’s no winter; however, it does get cold, dropping to a maximum of 10 degrees Celsius. While it does not snow, Malta has its rainy days.

During the summer months, locals would wake up in the morning and walk to the nearest beach for a swim before work — that’s their lifestyle. Johnson notes that everywhere you turn, you have a beautiful view of the sea.

When it comes to community, the Maltese are “pretty close-knit”. 

“Maltese are very culturally bound, just like us Malaysians.” Johnson shares. “They are exposed to Italian culture as well as Arabic culture. The Maltese language even sounds Arabic.”

Adapting to Malta was challenging at first for Johnson; however, it became easier over time. 

“It’s different from when you’re a student than a working adult because you don’t have a lot of money but a lot of time,” she explains. “But when you’re an adult, you have money but no time.”

In Malta, especially in the healthcare industry, workdays are Mondays to Saturdays, from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. — a six-hour working day, hence why Saturday is also considered a working day.

 

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“So imagine I’m on call on a Sunday, that would mean I only get a Sunday off every 13th day,” says Johnson. “Adapting to that lifestyle was crazy at the start. It really depends on what your day-to-day life is.”

Given how busy her life can be, finding a community is crucial to keeping her grounded.

When she first moved to Malta, Johnson became good friends with a local she met during her first rotation. Thanks to that friend, she was able to experience Maltese culture as she spent Christmas and New Year’s with the friend and her family. 

Johnson wasn’t alone when she first moved to Malta; she had two other Malaysians whojoined the same time as her. 

Despite her friends leaving, Johnson would still celebrate the festive seasons on her own. She cooks and bakes, sharing the meals with her local Maltese friends. 

“It makes me really happy,” she shares. “We have a WhatsApp group with local Maltese and Malaysians where we try to meet up for a potluck. That’s how we try our best to make a home away from home.”