Doing business in Malta is fairly straightforward for expats, owing to the country's largely Western business practices and etiquette.
Thanks to its investment incentives, central location, political stability and modern infrastructure, Malta is the main Mediterranean business hub. The tourism and service sectors are some of the country's biggest and most lucrative industries. Malta also offers a low-cost centre for manufacturing operations, particularly for electronics, shipbuilding, and pharmaceuticals. In addition to being the capital, Valletta is also Malta’s commercial centre.
Fast facts
Business hours
Office hours are typically between 8am and 5pm from Monday to Friday.
Business language
Maltese and English.
Meeting and greeting
Handshakes and exchanging business cards on the first meeting are standard greetings in Malta.
Dress
Professionals are expected to dress in formal and conservative business attire. Men should wear suits, while women may wear smart dresses or suits for meetings. Some business sectors may accept casual clothing.
Gifts
Gifts are not mandatory, but a small present is always a nice gesture. Giving something from your home country is standard and appreciated.
Gender equality
Gender equality has improved in Malta, but women still do not have equal representation in senior business positions.
Business culture in Malta
Communication
Malta has a well-educated population, and all schools teach English. Nearly everyone speaks Maltese and English, and many also speak additional languages such as French and Italian.
English is the official business language, and most documents, including legal, commercial and official correspondence, are in English, which limits communication barriers for most expats.
Time
Businesspeople in Malta expect prompt service and correspondence, so it's important to acknowledge emails and phone calls quickly. That said, you'll need to be patient – doing business in Malta takes time, usually due to restrictions and regulations.
Traditional values
Malta is a conservative and family-orientated country. Although no longer the case, it was once tradition for women to resign after getting married because men were supposed to provide for their families while women looked after the home. Today, women receive equal treatment in business, and more women are landing senior management positions.
This patriarchal, family-focused view still affects business in Malta. Traditional notions of company loyalty and a family atmosphere persist, especially in small businesses, making for a pleasant work environment but complicating resignations and job changes.
Titles
You should acknowledge Maltese associates by using their personal or professional titles (Mr, Mrs, Dr). Once you've established a good working relationship with them, you can move to a first-name basis.
Dos and don’ts of business in Malta
- Do acknowledge the receipt of emails and phone calls
- Do maintain eye contact and be direct
- Do address those in a senior position formally
- Don’t be late for appointments or meetings
- Don’t dress casually for business meetings