March « 2013 « Malta Property

Malta is a wonderful place to spend a vacation or live in for the rest of your lives. Like any country, Malta has a very rich history. This explains why its architecture is beautiful, scenic and clearly historic. Many tourists interested in monumental structures and architecture take interest in Malta because of its European-Mediterranean look.

Malta’s architecture derives from the use of soft globigerina limestone, which most of the island’s buildings are made out of. Of course, these structures make use of modern bricks, cement, foundation practices and other materials. The globigerina limestone does not yield to seasonal changes, which makes it a good and unique building material.

Experts trace the limestone’s history back to 3,000 BC during the Neolithic period. The limestone could be weathered to have the colour of natural sandstone and can be sculpted down to hairpin detail.

Malta’s architecture, aside from the stone, also derives from the Baroque period. Baroque utilized wide spaces and high ceilings common in most cathedrals and churches. Experts believe that Malta was under Roman rule during its reign and this is what led to the development of Baroque-style structures, to which the people of Malta lay an influence of the Mediterranean feel in architecture.

Malta has a long history of military strength starting from medieval knights to serving as a fortified base to defend against invaders. Italian military engineer Pietro Paolo Floriani strengthened the defences of the country and protected Malta from any invasion.

1. Ordinary Residence
Individuals must live in the island for more than six months. There is no minimum value property requirement for non-residents when shifting from a high-tax jurisdiction to a lower tax overseas country and it is available to all nationals in the world. However, the qualifying criteria varies if the applicant wishes to be a resident in Malta as an EU national or a third country national, which may prove to be easier or more challenging depending on their circumstances.

2. Long term Residence
Long term residence status can only be given to Malta ordinary residents who have lived five years in the country or more. This means that the resident lived in Malta for five years and has not left the country more than six months during this term.

3. Education Terms
Malta can provide temporary residence for overseas students who are having education in any Maltese Private School, College or at the University of Malta. Minors will need to stay with a legal guardian for accompaniment. The guardian can also apply for a temporary Malta residency. The individual must also confirm that they are receiving stable income and has a good residence in Malta.

4. Temporary Residence
Like students attending Maltese education, anybody who can declare their intentions of staying in Malta can have temporary residence as decided by the government. Temporary residence can be granted to individuals with no intention of permanent residence and have not stayed more than 183 days consecutively in the country.

If you’ve been enticed by the quality of life and the luxuries that await you living in Malta, you need to know the process of how to purchase a property in Malta. There is no property tax in Malta because its citizens believe in buying property rather than renting it. Here are the first few things you need to know when purchasing Malta properties.

1. Negotiations AKA “Kovenju”
Malta calls the Preliminary Agreement between property buyer and seller as Kovenju, which is essentially an agreement that concludes that the buyer and seller made a transaction in a date they established. Upon signing the Kovenju, the property buyer will need to pay 1% provisional stamp duty, which would be counted in the full 5% due when the final deed and a final deposit amount (which is 10% is agreed upon. The documentation of the transaction would entail notary public services to verify the legal title and that the property is clear for selling, and that all requirements for buyers and sellers are fulfilled.

2. Identifying as a Primary or Secondary Home
Buyers can choose to nominate their properties as their foremost home in Malta or as a secondary property that could be used for business. For primary homes, a buyer must have residence in Malta for five years before they can declare the residence as a primary home. They can purchase the property, but not declare it as a primary home. Secondary homes need not the minimum residence requirement, but will need to pay for an Acquisition of Immovable Property permit to secure the property.

3. Income Tax
Malta has no property or wealth taxes, which makes it plausible to rent out the property if it is a secondary home. The property, if rented out, will provide a tax revenue of 15% from the property profits.

Malta is a South European country near Sicily and Tunisia and is one of the world’s smallest countries on par with South American countries. Malta has great historical significance dominated by different countries until its last captor, the United Kingdom, finally ended its reign in the country in 1964. The country has a good economy, but that is just one reason why you should stay and get a property in Malta.

1. The Mediterranean/ South American Vibe
Many tourists find South America as the foremost “summer vacation spot” because of its tropical atmosphere. In Malta, you could have the same atmosphere and scenic sunsets, yet have the best weather of having 5 hours of sunshine a day. The tropical vibe could visit by the morning with the country’s lush tropics, then end up with a Mediterranean mood as the sun sets.

2. Architecture
Because of its rich history dominated by Phoenicians Greeks, Christian Crusaders and later the British, Malta’s culture is very diverse as it is very endearing. Greek architecture is interspersed with Mediterranean and British architecture throughout history. Many of the oldest manmade structures in the world, such as the Ggantija, exists in Malta. It’s Roman heritage explains the mosaic floors and classical architecture that also exist in the country.

3. Economy
Malta has an advanced economy that depends on cotton and tobacco exports. It ships to different countries all over the world through its shipyards. It’s primary resources are limestone and it produces 20% of the food it consumes. Film production is a booming business in Malta because of its scenic locations visited by different film producers and companies. It also has no property tax.

Every UK citizen has the right to file for accident claims if they suffer injuries when it is not their fault. With high risk of injuries and loss of wages, an accident claim can provide victims the support they need. However, the Ministry of Justice plans to reduce the number of fraudulent accident claims by abolishing the win/lose no fee accident claims system and replacing it solely with the no win no fee accident claims system.

With only the no win no fee accident claims system, victims may be undercompensated because they need to pay 25% of their compensation to their legal representatives. In a win/lose no fee situation, legal representatives take their fees and success fees from the MOJ or the insurance company while victims keep all their compensation. For serious cases, such as severe car accident injuries or medical negligence, having legal help may not be an option, allowing insurers and offenders to pay less.

The MOJ imposed the new claims system because claims management companies and personal injury lawyers brought in a great number of claims, with some appearing to be fraudulent or exaggerated, yet bound by legal expertise, were able to earn great compensation. To lessen the number of claims management company-dependent claimants, they enforced the no win no fee claims system back on track.

However, personal injury lawyers say that it is unfair for victims because without legal advice, insurance companies and offenders can just offer a lump sum payment, which will leave customers undercompensated. Critics agreed with their statements, given that the implementation of the no win no fee would leave victims at a lose-lose situation.

Malta Property

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Monthly Archives: March 2013

Malta’s Architecture: Its History, Culture and Common Materials

Malta Residency Tips Malta Residence Requirements

General Steps and Securing a Property in Malta

Reasons to Stay And Get a Property In Malta

Accident Claims: Problems You Could Face In the Future