Anyone working out how to study English in Malta for non-EU students quickly learns that course length decides almost everything else: which visa you need, whether you can work, and how much paperwork follows after landing. Get that one decision right and the rest of the plan falls into place. Get it wrong and you may end up rebooking flights or cutting a course short.
Courses up to 90 days fall under Schengen short-stay rules, either with a Type C visa or a visa-exempt entry depending on your passport, while any English course longer than that needs a National Long-Stay (Type D) visa before you travel, even for nationalities that normally visit Malta visa-free (StudyU). In the rest of this guide, a short course means one that stays within that short-stay limit and a long course means one that crosses it.
The sections below follow the order you will meet things in real life: choosing a licensed school, the visa, full-time hours, proving funds, housing, health screening, work and what comes after. Prices in Malta move quickly, especially rent, so the budget table tells you exactly what to collect quotes for instead of pretending one average fits everyone.
Visa rules to study English in Malta for non-EU students
Malta is in the Schengen area, so the starting point for every non-EU student is the same question: how long will you actually be here? Count from the day you land to the day you leave, not just the weeks of class. A course that ends neatly inside the short-stay limit can still push you over if you add a holiday week before or after it.
Short courses
On a short course you enter either with a Schengen Type C visa or visa-free, depending on your nationality. This is the simplest route: fewer documents, no residence card process and no health screening. The trade-off is that you cannot work at all, so your savings have to cover the entire stay. Check the current entry rules for your own passport with the official visa authorities before you pay a deposit, because they differ by nationality.
Long courses
A long course needs a National Long-Stay (Type D) visa, and you must have it before arrival. Applications for study visas are handled by Identità’s Central Visa Unit. Your school will normally provide an enrolment letter confirming the course dates and full-time registration, and you will need proof of funds, accommodation details and insurance documents that match the length of your stay.
Plan the full length up front. Do not assume a short stay can be stretched into a long one once you are in Malta. If there is any chance you will want a longer course, apply for the long course from the start and save yourself a second, rushed application.
Choosing a licensed English school
Two names matter when you compare schools. The ELT Council, a government body under the Ministry for Education, licenses and annually inspects English language schools in Malta (StudyU). FELTOM, the Federation of English Language Teaching Organisations in Malta, represents and quality-assures its member schools. A licence is the baseline; FELTOM membership is an extra signal, not a substitute.
Beyond the licence, the questions worth asking every school are practical rather than glossy:
- Can you issue the enrolment letter the visa unit needs for my course length?
- Does my chosen course count as full-time for visa purposes?
- What is the maximum class size, and are classes split by level after a placement test?
- Are lessons in the morning or afternoon, and can that change week to week?
- What happens to my fees if my visa is refused or delayed?
- How do you record attendance, and who sees those records?
We compare licensed options in our guide to the best English schools in Malta, and the separate breakdown of Malta English course costs covers weekly fees, registration and the extras that quietly add up, such as materials and exam fees.
Location matters more than brochures suggest. Many schools cluster around Sliema, St Julian’s and nearby towns, and the distance between your school and your bed decides how much time you spend waiting for buses. Pick the school first, then look for housing on a direct bus route to it.
Full-time hours and attendance
For a study visa you need to be registered full-time, which usually means at least 15 hours of tuition per week (Malta Pathway). Standard general English courses are often built around that threshold, while intensive courses add extra lessons on top.
Two habits keep you on the right side of the rules. First, keep copies of your enrolment letter, timetable and any course changes in one folder, digital and printed. Second, treat attendance as part of your visa, not just your learning. Skipping classes for beach days might feel harmless in week three, but your school’s records are what show you are a genuine full-time student.
Changing course mid-stay? If you switch level, school or timetable, ask your school in writing whether the new arrangement still counts as full-time before you agree to it.
Proof of funds and a monthly budget
Applications through Identità’s Central Visa Unit generally require proof of at least 75% of the national minimum wage for each month of your stay, roughly €746 or more per month, when accommodation is not prepaid (StudyU). Treat that as a legal floor, not a comfortable budget: it is the amount the authorities want to see, not what a student life in Sliema actually costs once rent, food and a social life are included.
Prepaying your accommodation through the school can change what you need to show, so ask your school how they present prepaid housing in the visa paperwork. Bank statements should be in your own name or come with a clear sponsor letter, and the balance should be stable rather than appearing the week before you apply.
Rather than publish averages that would be out of date within months, the planner below lists every cost line you should get a real quote for. Fill it in with your school’s quote, your housing quote and the official fees on the day you apply.
| Cost line | How it is usually billed | What pushes it up | How to price it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course fees | Per week, plus registration and materials | Intensive hours, exam preparation, peak season | Written quote from the school for your exact dates |
| Accommodation | Per week (school housing) or per month (private flats) | Single room, summer dates, seafront areas | Compare residence, homestay and flat quotes for the same dates |
| Utilities | Usually included in residence and homestay; often extra in flats | Air conditioning in summer, heating in winter | Ask whether bills are included, capped or metered |
| Food | Weekly shop | Eating out, imported brands | Check which meals a homestay includes |
| Transport | Monthly | Ride-hailing instead of buses | Check student and card options with the public transport operator |
| Phone and data | Monthly prepaid SIM | Large data bundles | Compare local prepaid plans on arrival |
| Health insurance | Usually one payment for the stay | Longer stays, wider cover | Buy cover matching your full stay |
| Visa and residence admin | One-off | Long courses with residence paperwork and screening | Official fee lists at the time you apply |
| Social life and trips | Monthly | Boat trips, Gozo weekends, eating out | Set a fixed monthly cap |
| Proof-of-funds benchmark | Per month of stay | Accommodation not prepaid | Roughly €746 or more per month (StudyU) |
A simple rule from years of watching newcomers: add a buffer of at least one extra month of living costs on top of your plan. Deposits, a broken phone or a week of feeling homesick and eating out all cost more than people expect.
Accommodation: residence, homestay or shared flat
Most English students choose between three options. None is best for everyone; the right choice depends on your course length, budget and how much privacy you want. Our full guide to student accommodation in Malta goes deeper into areas and booking, but this table covers the core trade-offs.
| Type | Usually included | Privacy | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| School residence | Furnished room, bills, often near the school | Shared rooms common; single rooms cost extra | First-timers and short courses | House rules, guest limits, shared kitchens |
| Homestay | Room in a local home, some meals | Moderate; you live by the family’s routine | Arriving alone, practising English daily | Commute distance, house rules, meal times |
| Shared flat | Room in a private flat; bills often extra | Highest, usually your own room | Long courses and independent students | Deposits, contract terms, who pays which bills |
A common pattern that works well: book school housing for your first weeks, then look for a shared flat in person once you know which bus routes and neighbourhoods suit you. Never send a deposit for a flat you have not seen, either in person or on a live video call with someone you can verify.
If you are thinking ahead to a degree, University of Malta accommodation for students works differently from language-school housing, with its own options and application timing. Our guide for University of Malta international students explains what to look at.
Health screening for longer stays
Third-country nationals staying in Malta for longer than three months must complete health screening, which can include a chest X-ray or tuberculosis check depending on country of origin, before residence documentation can be completed (Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Directorate). Short-course students do not go through this step.
In practice, this is one of the first admin tasks after arrival on a long course. Ask your school whether they help book the appointment, bring your passport and visa documents, and keep any clearance paperwork safe because you will need it for the residence stage. Building a little slack into your first weeks for appointments makes the whole process calmer.
Part-time work rules
Non-EU students on English courses longer than 90 days can apply for a part-time employment licence through Jobsplus from their fourth month, capped at 20 hours a week, while students on short-term visas are strictly barred from working (StudyU). The licence comes first: you cannot start a job and sort the paperwork afterwards.
That timing shapes your budget. For the first months of a long course, you live entirely on savings, and even after you become eligible it can take time to find a job and get the licence approved. Plan your finances as if work income will arrive late, and treat it as a bonus rather than the thing that pays your rent.
Common student jobs include hospitality, retail and customer service roles. Our guide to part-time jobs Malta students can take covers the rules and the realistic options in more detail.
Red flag: anyone offering cash-in-hand work before you hold a licence is putting your visa at risk, not theirs. Say no.
Best time to study English in Malta
There is no single best time to study English in Malta; there is a best time for what you want. Here is how the year tends to feel on the ground.
Summer
Summer is hot, sunny and busy. Schools fill up, many run junior programmes, and accommodation is in the highest demand, so book early and expect classrooms and buses to be crowded. If you want beaches and a lively student scene, it delivers, but focused study takes more discipline.
Spring and autumn
The shoulder seasons are the sweet spot for many adults. The weather is warm enough for the sea on good days, schools are less crowded and finding housing is usually easier than in midsummer. Classes are more likely to mix ages and nationalities.
Winter
Winter is mild but damp, and many older Maltese homes are poorly insulated, so check heating before you sign for a flat. It is the quietest period in many schools, which suits students who want to concentrate. If you are applying for a long course, remember that visa processing adds lead time whatever season you pick, so start the application well before your preferred start date.
After the course: University of Malta vs MCAST
Plenty of students arrive for English and leave thinking about a degree or diploma. The two main public options are quite different, so the University of Malta vs MCAST question is really about what kind of study suits you.
- University of Malta offers academic degrees across a wide range of faculties, with entry requirements that usually include proof of English level. Read our guide for University of Malta international students for fees and student life.
- MCAST focuses on vocational and applied courses with a practical, career-led angle. Our MCAST international students guide explains courses, fees and campus life.
Whichever you choose, treat a move from a language school to a degree as a new application, with its own entry requirements and immigration paperwork. Start checking the rules and deadlines while your English course is still running, not in its final week, and ask whether an English certificate from your school is accepted or whether you need a recognised exam.
Checklists for each stage
Before you apply
- Confirm total stay length, including holidays, and decide short or long course
- Choose an ELT Council-licensed school and get a written quote
- Confirm the course counts as full-time
- Request the enrolment letter for the visa application
- Gather bank statements or a sponsor letter covering every month of the stay
- Arrange insurance covering the full stay
- Book first-weeks accommodation and keep the confirmation
First weeks in Malta
- Get a local SIM and sort a transport card
- Do a test run of your bus route to school before day one
- Book health screening if you are on a long course
- Start the residence documentation process with your school’s guidance
- Save digital and paper copies of every document in one place
During the course
- Keep attendance high and save timetables and certificates
- If on a long course, prepare the Jobsplus application before you reach eligibility
- Review your budget against real spending every month
- Start planning your next step well before the course ends
Meeting people when you arrive alone
Most students arrive solo, and the first fortnight can feel lonely even in a busy town. Your classmates are your easiest network: say yes to the school’s activity programme, suggest a coffee after class and join group trips to places like Mdina or Gozo. Homestay families and flatmates can also become your first guides to daily life.
When you meet anyone new outside school, keep it simple and safe:
- Meet in a public place such as a café or a busy promenade
- Tell a friend or flatmate where you are going and who with
- Plan your own way home and check bus times in advance
- Leave whenever you feel uncomfortable, no explanation needed
Want to turn this into an actual plan? MeetNow is a free app for meeting people in person: a host posts a plan at a public place, says who pays (host pays, split, pay your own or free) and picks who joins. It is live on the web and works in your browser, starting in Malta. The Android app is on Google Play; the iPhone app is not in the App Store yet. Open MeetNow and see the plans posted in Malta.
FAQ
Do non-EU students need a visa to study English in Malta?
It depends on course length and nationality. Courses up to 90 days use Schengen short-stay rules, with a Type C visa or visa-exempt entry, while longer courses need a National Long-Stay (Type D) visa before arrival, even for visa-exempt nationalities (StudyU).
Can I work while studying English in Malta?
Only on a long course. Students on courses longer than 90 days can apply for a Jobsplus part-time licence from their fourth month, capped at 20 hours a week, while short-term visa holders cannot work (StudyU).
How many hours a week must my English course be?
For visa purposes you must be registered full-time, which usually means at least 15 hours of tuition per week (Malta Pathway). Confirm with your school in writing that your course qualifies.
How much money do I need to show for a study visa?
The benchmark is generally at least 75% of the national minimum wage per month of stay, roughly €746 or more per month, when accommodation is not prepaid (StudyU). Real living costs are usually higher, so budget above this floor.
When is the best time to study English in Malta?
Summer is the busiest and most expensive for housing, spring and autumn balance good weather with quieter schools, and winter is the calmest for focused study. For long courses, allow extra time for visa processing whichever season you choose.
Do I need a health check to study in Malta?
Only for longer stays. Third-country nationals staying more than three months must complete health screening, which may include a chest X-ray depending on country of origin, before residence documentation is completed (Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Directorate).
