We list property for sale in Malta and Gozo, from modern apartments on the Sliema seafront and restored townhouses in Birgu to villas with pools in Mellieħa and farmhouses in rural Gozo. Our agents work in these towns every day, so they can tell you which street gets the evening sun and where parking’s easier.
If you love character, you’ll be looking in the old villages and harbour towns, where townhouses, houses of character and palazzos are built from honey-coloured limestone along narrow streets. If you’d prefer a lift, a sea view and less upkeep, head for the coast between Sliema and St Paul’s Bay, where most homes are apartments and penthouses in newer blocks. This choice shapes almost everything else, from parking to renovation costs.
When you read a Maltese listing, check the finish first, because it changes the real cost of the home. A property in shell form is a bare structure with no plastering, plumbing or wiring, so you’ll need a permit and contractors before you can move in. Semi-finished usually means the walls, services and apertures are done but you’ll still need to fit the tiles, bathrooms and kitchen, while finished means you can move straight in. Definitions vary between developers, so ask for the specification sheet before you compare prices.
You’ll also come across airspace for sale, which gives you the right to build above an existing property. Garages are often sold separately, so if you need parking, check it’s included before you book a viewing. If you’re looking at maisonettes, a ground-floor one gives you a front door at street level, while an overlying one sits above another home but still has its own street door and staircase.
If you’re relocating for work, you’ll probably want to be close to the offices around Sliema, St Julian’s or the central towns like Attard or Naxxar . If you’re retiring or buying a second home, a quieter village, a seafront apartment in the north or a farmhouse in the countryside might suit you better. Tell us how you’ll use the home and we’ll narrow the search for you.
Malta is small, but each town has its own pace and its own kind of housing. A seafront apartment in Xemxija and a farmhouse in Siggiewi are very different ways of living, even though they’re less than half an hour apart. These are the areas our buyers ask about most:
Sliema and St Julian’s are where most buyers start looking, especially those relocating for work. Mornings can start with a walk or a swim off the rocks along the Sliema Front, the ferry gets you across to Valletta in minutes, and Spinola Bay is full of places to eat in the evening. Most Sliema property for sale is apartments and penthouses, many close to the seafront or at Tigné Point, while real estate for sale in St Julian’s includes some of the island’s best-known homes at Portomaso.
Valletta and the Three Cities (Birgu, Senglea and Cospicua) face each other across the Grand Harbour, and most homes here are in buildings that are centuries old. Valletta property for sale includes townhouses with wooden gallariji, palazzos with internal courtyards and apartments carved out of older houses, many with harbour views from the roof. Across the water, properties for sale in Senglea and Birgu tend to be on quieter streets, with the waterfront and Birgu’s marina close by. Much of the area falls under conservation rules, so it’s worth having a permit look at any restoration plans before you commit.
The north of Malta suits buyers who want the sea on their doorstep. Mellieħa sits on a ridge above Għadira, the island’s longest sandy beach, and the luxury villas in Mellieħa often have pools and terraces looking out towards Comino and Gozo. St Paul’s Bay takes in Qawra, Buġibba and Xemxija, and you’ll find seafront apartments for sale in St Paul’s Bay along the promenade that links them. The area gets much quieter once summer’s over, and the Gozo ferry at Ċirkewwa is a short drive away.
Gozo is slower, greener and usually more affordable than Malta, and many buyers come here for a farmhouse with a pool and views across the valleys. Other homes for sale in Gozo include apartments in seaside villages like Xlendi and Marsalforn, and townhouses around Victoria, the island’s capital. The ferry between Mġarr and Ċirkewwa takes around 25 minutes, so Gozo still works for buyers who need regular trips to Malta.
Apartments for sale in Malta make up most of the stock along the coast, from compact one-bedroom homes in Gżira and Msida to large seafront apartments in Sliema. Lifestyle developments like Tigné Point, Portomaso and Pendergardens add shared pools, gyms, 24-hour security and underground parking. Penthouses take the top floor, usually with a wide terrace and sometimes a private pool, and they’re popular with buyers who want outdoor space without a garden to look after.
A maisonette gives you your own front door, usually at a lower price than a house in the same area. Ground floor maisonettes open straight onto the street and often have a back yard, while overlying maisonettes sit above another home but still have their own street door and staircase. Many overlying maisonettes come with the roof and its airspace, which can leave room to extend upwards, subject to planning.
Townhouses are older homes in the village cores and towns, usually on two or three floors with a roof terrace and sometimes a small internal yard. Terraced houses are newer, built in rows in residential areas like Naxxar, Mosta and San Ġwann, and usually come with a garage and a back garden or yard. If you’re comparing houses for sale in Malta as a family, terraced houses outside the coastal towns tend to give you the most room for your budget.
A house of character is an older stone house that keeps its original features, like arched rooms, timber-beamed ceilings, a central courtyard and sometimes a well. Many have been converted with modern kitchens, bathrooms and pools, while others need full restoration. Farmhouses follow the same style on a rural scale, and Gozo has the widest choice, many with pools and open views across the countryside.
Detached homes are in short supply in Malta, which is a big part of their appeal. You’ll find them in Santa Marija Estate in Mellieħa, in Madliena above Swieqi and around the Three Villages, usually with a garden, a pool and parking. Bungalows are single-storey and popular with retirees and families with young children, and the biggest villas often appear in our luxury property for sale in Malta.
Palazzos are grand townhouses built for noble and merchant families, mostly in Valletta, Mdina and the older village cores. They usually have high ceilings, a courtyard or garden, and enough rooms to work as offices, guest suites or boutique accommodation. Many are scheduled buildings or sit in urban conservation areas, so any restoration needs approval from the Planning Authority and a permit with heritage experience.
How you go about buying homes in Malta depends mainly on your citizenship and the property you choose. Our guides to buying property in Malta and the laws when buying a property in Malta cover each step in detail.
EU citizens buying their main home in Malta don’t usually need a permit. Those who’ve lived in Malta for five continuous years can buy further property on the same terms as Maltese buyers, while a second home bought without that residence history usually needs an AIP permit. Buyers who’ve never owned property may also be eligible for the reliefs on our first-time buyers page.
Non-EU buyers usually need an Acquisition of Immovable Property (AIP) permit, which limits you to one property for your own use and sets a minimum purchase value. Buying in a Special Designated Area (SDA) removes those restrictions, so you can buy several properties and let them out. SDAs include Tigné Point, Portomaso and Pendergardens, and you’ll find the full list on our Lifestyle Developments page.
Once you agree on a price, you and the seller sign a konvenju, or promise of sale, in front of a notary, and you pay a deposit. The konvenju sets a deadline for the final deed, usually around three months, and can include conditions like securing a bank loan or an AIP permit. During that time, the notary checks the title and searches for any debts on the property, and the sale is completed when both sides sign the final deed.
On top of the price, the highest cost is stamp duty, part of which is paid when you sign the konvenju and the rest on the final deed. You’ll also pay notary fees, search and registration fees, and any bank or valuation charges if you’re taking out a loan. A perit’s survey is worth paying for on older properties, and as rates and reliefs change, our page on property tax in Malta has the current figures.
You can let out a property you buy in Malta if you’re Maltese, an EU citizen with full buying rights, or buying in a Special Designated Area. Long lets need to be registered with the Housing Authority, and short lets need a licence from the Malta Tourism Authority. If you’ve bought with an AIP permit, the property is usually for your own use and can’t be let without approval.
Buying a property in Malta usually takes around three to four months from agreeing a price to signing the final deed. Most of that time is the konvenju period, while the notary carries out searches and any bank loan or AIP application is processed. Cash purchases in an SDA can move faster, depending on the seller and the notary.
On top of the asking price in Malta, your main cost is stamp duty, with part paid on the konvenju and the rest on the final deed. You’ll also pay notary fees, search and registration fees, and bank or valuation charges if you’re taking out a loan. Reliefs are available for first-time buyers and some other groups, so ask our team which ones apply to you.
Property in Gozo is usually cheaper than comparable property in Malta, especially farmhouses and houses of character. You’ll often get extra space, a pool or open countryside views for a budget that would buy an apartment in Sliema or St Julian’s. Prices vary between villages, and seaside spots like Xlendi and Marsalforn usually cost more than inland areas.
Non-residents can get a mortgage in Malta, though banks usually ask them for a larger deposit and extra paperwork. Expect to provide proof of income, tax returns and bank statements from your home country, and you may need to open a Maltese bank account. Speak to a bank or mortgage adviser before you sign the konvenju, so you can make the loan a condition of the sale.
The best areas of Malta for families buying a home are usually the central towns and villages, like Attard, Balzan, Lija, Naxxar and Mosta. You’ll find more houses with gardens, quieter streets and easy access to schools across the island. If you want the sea nearby, Mellieħa and the quieter parts of St Paul’s Bay are worth a look, while Gozo suits families after space and a slower pace.
At Malta Property, we will help you discover the right home that fits both your lifestyle and budget, with our portfolio ranging from stylish apartments with sea views to charming family villas and traditional townhouses. With three decades of local expertise, our friendly team makes buying property in Malta straightforward and stress-free. Let us help you find a home you’ll love at a price that works for you.
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