Hi,
We moved here last year (August) and our experience is slightly
different.

We did not need a permit to purchase, but you should be aware that (as
with every country) the procedures for buying property are different.
Make sure you have a good notary, and be very aware that the date you
agree to in your contract will be very difficult to change, so make sure
all your funds are in place well before that.

As you Identity Cards, you cannot apply for one until you have been here
6 months, but in our experience it was definitely a formality and no
problem at all (although I am not sure I like the A for Alien on the end
of my number!) In the meantime, producing your passport will do fine in
banks, for paying bills etc. But ID Cards really do make life easier,
for example, you will need to put the number on the back of cheques.
Also, cheques are used a lot more here than in my experience elsewhere,
and cash on delivery is not at all unusual. One small tip, if you are
collecting a new cheque book from the bank (well, from HSBC at least),
they only issue cheque books in the morning - irritating if you don't
know.

We have had some problems getting in to the Health Care system, and have
been passed from this office to another then back to the original. And
because we wanted to register rather than receive treatment, no-one took
us very seriously. But we are getting there.

If you are going to work here, it is important to register for Income
Tax (by the way, we have never registered with the Police - hope that is
not a problem!)

And I think the best tip of all is, don't compare. Don't compare
prices, the way things are done, the level of services etc. This is
Malta, yes there are frustrations but we are finding life wonderful
here.
Susan

________________________________

From: britishexpatsinmalta2@...
[mailto:britishexpatsinmalta2@...] On Behalf Of gonzofarr
Sent: 14 February 2007 08:10
To: britishexpatsinmalta2@...
Subject: [British Expats in Malta] Re: Introduction



--- In britishexpatsinmalta2@...
<mailto:britishexpatsinmalta2%40yahoogroups.co.uk> , "jsimple1999"
<jsimple1999@...> wrote:
>
> Hi all
>
> I am moving to malta in the next few months. Just wondered if you
have
> any tips on making the move easier.
>
> CHeers
>
> Jon
>
Hi Jon - That depends on what type of tips you need, we moved out 8
years ago, the only problem was the hassel in buying a house, if you
intend to buy then allow at least 3 month to obtain a permit to buy and
in most cases you are only ever allowed to buy one property.
Appart from that it is plain sailing, language here now problem.
You will need to register with the police if you intend a stay longer
then 90 days also it is a good idea to apply for an ID card as soon as
possible as this save a lot of time an hassel when at the bank and post
office if collecting anything. If you intend to live on Gozo then the
ID card allows you discounted fairs on the ferry from Malta to Gozo.
Hope this has been of some help if you need to know anything else let
me know. John






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