Monthly cost overview
Malta is one of the cheaper EU member states for students, but it varies dramatically by neighborhood. The premium coastal areas (Sliema, St Julian's, Valletta) cost 40–60% more than the inland student areas (Birkirkara, Hamrun, Qormi). Below — the realistic monthly student budget for 2026:
Monthly budget breakdown
€1,000Accommodation costs by area
Single biggest expense — 35–55% of total monthly budget. Malta has 3 student-friendly tiers:
Sliema / St Julian's
- Studio (30 m²)€700–950
- 1-bed (45 m²)€850–1,200
- 2-bed shared€450–650 per room
- Shared room (with 2-3)€350–500
Pros: igaming companies, restaurants, beaches. Cons: tourists in summer, expensive.
Gzira / Msida
- Studio (30 m²)€550–750
- 1-bed (45 m²)€650–900
- 2-bed shared€350–500 per room
- Shared room€280–400
Pros: 10 min walk to UoM, mixed local + international. Cons: parking limited.
Birkirkara / Hamrun
- Studio (35 m²)€450–650
- 1-bed (50 m²)€550–750
- 2-bed shared€280–400 per room
- Shared room€220–350
Pros: traditional Maltese life, halal groceries, mosque. Cons: less English-speaking expat density.
Qormi / Mosta / Paola
- Studio (35 m²)€500–700
- 1-bed (50 m²)€600–800
- Shared rooms€250–380
- House share (3-4)€280–400
Pros: spacious, cheap, near MCAST. Cons: bus-dependent for nightlife.
Food + groceries
Groceries (cooking at home)
Cooking 5 nights/week + groceries: €140–200/month. Cheaper supermarkets: LIDL, Pavi, Greens. Mid-tier: Welbee's, Pama. Premium: Sciacca, Arkadia.
- Rice 1 kg — €1.50–2.50
- Chicken 1 kg — €5.50–7.50
- Eggs (12) — €2.80–3.80
- Bread loaf — €1.20–1.80
- Milk 1 L — €1.10–1.50
- Indian groceries (Birkirkara markets) — basmati, lentils, masala available
Eating out
- Pastizzi (Maltese savoury) — €0.50
- Kebab roll — €5–7
- McDonald's meal — €8–10
- Mid-range restaurant — €15–25 per person
- Indian restaurant (Spice Route, Curry Garden) — €12–20
- Wine bottle — €6–12 (supermarket); €18–30 (restaurant)
Public transport — Tallinja card
Malta has no train. Public transport = buses operated by Malta Public Transport.
- Tallinja Student Card (unlimited) — €21/month → €26/month with replacement insurance. Best value for students who use bus daily.
- Pay-per-trip — €1.50 winter / €2 summer (Jun–Oct). For occasional users.
- Tallinja Day Card (unlimited day) — €1.50, great for tourist days
- Bolt / Uber / e-Cabs — €5–15 per ride. Useful late nights.
- Bicycle rent / share — Mosta-Sliema have bike share schemes
Most student areas are 15–30 min by bus from MCAST/UoM. Plan for ~45 min commute peak hours.
Mobile + internet
3 main providers: Vodafone Malta, Epic (formerly Melita), GO. All offer student-friendly plans.
- Vodafone Pay-As-You-Go — €15/month for 100 GB data + unlimited calls/SMS
- Epic 12-month student plan — €18/month, 200 GB data + free EU roaming
- GO Mobile — €20/month, 250 GB
- Home internet — €25–40/month for 250 Mbps fibre (usually split with roommates)
- EU roaming — included free under EU "Roam Like at Home" regulation
Practical: get a Vodafone or Epic SIM at the airport on arrival. Both have English-speaking staff.
Health insurance
Required by visa: Schengen-valid, €30,000+ coverage, full study duration. Annual cost spread monthly:
- AXA Schengen — €350–550/year → €30–46/month
- Cigna Global — €380–600/year → €32–50/month
- Allianz Care — €450–800/year → €38–67/month (premium tier)
- IMG Global — €320–500/year → €27–42/month (budget option)
Public Maltese healthcare is excellent and free at point of use for residents, but student visa holders typically maintain private insurance until they have a job + Single Permit.
Books, supplies, course materials
Varies by program. MCAST and UoM cover most material in tuition; ICT programs sometimes require specific software/licenses.
- Textbooks (used / library) — €50–150/semester
- Printing & copies — €5–15/month
- Stationery — €10–20 one-off
- Software (Microsoft 365 student) — usually free via institution
- Laptop (one-off, if needed) — €600–1,500
Monthly average: €30/month.
Malta vs Lisbon vs Madrid vs Berlin (monthly)
| 🇲🇹 Malta (Gzira) | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | 🇪🇸 Madrid | 🇩🇪 Berlin | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio rent | €550–750 | €800–1,200 | €700–1,000 | €900–1,400 |
| Shared room | €280–400 | €400–550 | €350–500 | €450–650 |
| Groceries | €180 | €160 | €170 | €220 |
| Public transport | €26 | €40 | €20 (Joven Card) | €29 (Deutschlandticket) |
| Mobile | €25 | €20 | €18 | €18 |
| Total (mid-range) | €900–1,100 | €1,000–1,400 | €900–1,200 | €1,100–1,400 |
Malta is 10–20% cheaper than Lisbon and on par with Madrid; significantly cheaper than Berlin or Anglo cities (UK/IE).
Part-time income offsets
Student visa holders can work 20 hours/week during term, full-time during holidays.
- Igaming customer support — €11–17/hour (high English + 2nd language = €15+)
- Hospitality (waitstaff, hotel) — €7.50–11/hour + tips
- Tutoring (math, IELTS, science) — €15–25/hour
- Delivery (Bolt Food, Wolt) — €6–10/hour effective
- Online freelance (writing, translation) — €10–20/hour
Realistic income math
20 hours × €11/hour × 4.3 weeks = €946/month gross. Tax-free up to €9,100/year for students. Net €900+/month — covers shared accommodation + food in Gzira/Birkirkara.
Practical: most Birlay Malta students start earning by month 2–3 after arrival. Plan to fund first 3 months from savings, then become 50–80% self-sufficient.
Budget calculator (interactive)
Use the rows below to assemble your personalized monthly budget. Print or screenshot for visa application.
3 real student budgets (anonymized)
- Rent (shared room)€320
- Utilities + internet€45
- Food (cooks at home)€170
- Transport (Tallinja)€26
- Mobile€18
- Insurance€35
- Social€80
- Misc + buffer€126
- Rent (studio)€620
- Utilities + internet€80
- Food + groceries€220
- Transport (Tallinja)€26
- Mobile€25
- Insurance€40
- Books + supplies€20
- Social + misc€19
- Rent (1-bed)€880
- Utilities + internet€110
- Food + groceries€250
- Transport (Tallinja)€26
- Mobile€25
- Insurance€48
- Social + gym€41
- Buffer included
FAQ
What is the average monthly cost of living for a student in Malta?
€800–1,400 per month depending on area and lifestyle. Median Birlay-tracked student budget: €1,000/month. Cheapest viable: ~€700 (Birkirkara shared, cook at home). Premium: €1,500+ (St Julian's 1-bed, frequent eating out).
Is Malta expensive for international students?
No — Malta is among the more affordable EU destinations for English-speaking students. Year-1 total cost €14–20K vs UK £22–35K or Ireland €22–28K.
How much does rent cost in Malta for students?
Shared room €280–500/month. Studio €450–950/month. 1-bedroom €550–1,200/month. Varies by area — Sliema/St Julian's most expensive, Birkirkara/Hamrun cheapest.
Can I survive on €800 per month in Malta?
Yes — if you live in a shared room in Birkirkara, cook at home, use the Tallinja card, and limit eating out to 2 times/month. Tight but workable, especially first 6 months while you find part-time work.
What's included in Malta utility bills?
Electricity (Enemalta), water (WSC), and sometimes gas. Often NOT included in advertised rent. Budget €60–120/month — higher in summer for A/C, in winter for heating.
How much does food cost in Malta?
€180–280/month if cooking at home most nights. €350–500/month if eating out frequently. Indian groceries available in Birkirkara/Hamrun.
Is public transport in Malta affordable for students?
Yes — Tallinja student card €21–26/month for unlimited buses. Malta has no train; buses cover the whole island. Bolt/Uber for late-night.
Do students pay for healthcare in Malta?
Schengen health insurance is required for the visa (€30K coverage, ~€350–800/year = €30–67/month). Public Maltese healthcare is free for residents but students typically use private insurance.
How much can I earn part-time in Malta?
20 hours × €11/hour = €946/month gross. Tax-free up to €9,100/year for students. Real earnings €800–1,000/month net — covers shared accommodation + food.
What's the cheapest area to live in Malta as a student?
Birkirkara, Hamrun, Qormi — authentic Maltese neighborhoods, €450–650 studio, €220–350 shared room. Less English-expat density but lower cost.
Is Sliema worth the higher rent?
For social life + igaming jobs + beaches — yes. €1,200 vs €900 in Gzira buys you 5-min walk to the beach, gaming companies, and the best food scene. Most expensive area but most active.
How much should I save before moving to Malta?
Minimum €15K total: €11K visa requirement (kept in bank) + €1,500–2,500 move-in costs + €1,500 first month buffer + €510 visa/permit fees. Don't arrive on €11K nominally — that's the visa floor, not your safety floor.
Next steps
- Match your budget to an area — Birkirkara if €800 is your max, Gzira for €900–1,100, Sliema/St Julian's for €1,200+.
- Plan part-time work — line up igaming or hospitality applications before arrival. Most Birlay students get first job in months 2–3.
- Read related guides — visa requirements, MCAST application, programs + cities.
Social life & entertainment
Reasonable monthly: €100–150. Premium social calendar: €250+.