Originally Posted by Julesprivate (Post 12327743)

Hi

I have been coming to Malta 4-5 times a year for the last 10 years or so, I love the rock and enjoy the Mediterranean approach to life.

I have just (10 minutes ago) been offered a role in Malta on a (3 year) fixed term contract basis.

The salary is pretty good (for Malta) but obviously significantly less than my typical rate in the UK (roughly 40% of my UK rate).

I am still confident that I can make it work financially, but to do so I'd have to sell the house in the UK and my cars/bikes too, although I'd look to bring one of the bikes over as I like it far too much and it'd be ideal in Malta.

It's the nature of the contract that concerns me, I hadn't initially realised that the role was a contract, through a third party (Castille) and that leaves me a little concerned with the longer term implications.

If I make the move, the aim is to do so for the rest of my life, not just 3 years, so that's a bit worrying, although TBH most of my Maltese friends seem to change jobs quite often so maybe it's not that big a deal.

I am also unclear on what the residency status would be if I am contracted rather than "employed", I don't want to get into a situation whereby if I lost my job (unlikely but possible I guess) I'd also lose my residency status - does anyone know what the situation might be there?

This has been a dream of mine for a long time, now that it has the real potential to happen it's become very real, and a little scary. Although it shouldn't as I served in the RAF for 13 years and spent 9 of them overseas, this is a little "different".

I noticed that rental prices have gone up a bit lately, but they're still pretty good (comparatively).

I probably ought to give a little more info just to clarify things. I am married, my wife works here in the UK (I am self employed), she'd be giving up her job to come with me and looking for something when in country. We are in our early 50s, have had a very good standard of living in the UK but we'd be looking to "start over" in Malta and just lead a comfortable life in a better climate - kinda like a lot of Brits like to do.

Any words of wisdom for us?

T.I.A.

Jules

Originally Posted by Julesprivate (Post 12327743)

Hi

I have been coming to Malta 4-5 times a year for the last 10 years or so, I love the rock and enjoy the Mediterranean approach to life.

I have just (10 minutes ago) been offered a role in Malta on a (3 year) fixed term contract basis.

The salary is pretty good (for Malta) but obviously significantly less than my typical rate in the UK (roughly 40% of my UK rate).

I am still confident that I can make it work financially, but to do so I'd have to sell the house in the UK and my cars/bikes too, although I'd look to bring one of the bikes over as I like it far too much and it'd be ideal in Malta.

It's the nature of the contract that concerns me, I hadn't initially realised that the role was a contract, through a third party (Castille) and that leaves me a little concerned with the longer term implications.

If I make the move, the aim is to do so for the rest of my life, not just 3 years, so that's a bit worrying, although TBH most of my Maltese friends seem to change jobs quite often so maybe it's not that big a deal.

I am also unclear on what the residency status would be if I am contracted rather than "employed", I don't want to get into a situation whereby if I lost my job (unlikely but possible I guess) I'd also lose my residency status - does anyone know what the situation might be there?

This has been a dream of mine for a long time, now that it has the real potential to happen it's become very real, and a little scary. Although it shouldn't as I served in the RAF for 13 years and spent 9 of them overseas, this is a little "different".

I noticed that rental prices have gone up a bit lately, but they're still pretty good (comparatively).

I probably ought to give a little more info just to clarify things. I am married, my wife works here in the UK (I am self employed), she'd be giving up her job to come with me and looking for something when in country. We are in our early 50s, have had a very good standard of living in the UK but we'd be looking to "start over" in Malta and just lead a comfortable life in a better climate - kinda like a lot of Brits like to do.

Any words of wisdom for us?

T.I.A.

Jules

Originally Posted by Julesprivate (Post 12329413)

This second offer is for a role that involves travel to work in the UK every month, for a week. Unfortunately I'd still need to sell up in the UK to make it work BUT there'd be sufficient spare income to start a proper saving fund.

Originally Posted by HKG3 (Post 12331122)

Have you think of downsizing? Sell your current home in the UK to buy a smaller place elsewhere in the UK?

Originally Posted by Julesprivate (Post 12329413)

Thanks for the replies, things have changed a bit since my first post, I have received a second offer for a different role in Malta, on a bit more money and "permanent" (but I take on board the view on what that actually really means especially in Malta).

I currently have an RAF pension (I became a pensioner in 1997 at the bright old age of 32, it's been paying out ever since) that pops up in value in 3 years (despite me not paying in to it any more) and I have another couple of "frozen" pensions that will probably between them provide me with sufficient income for Malta, especially alongside my wife's NHS pension - but that's a good 10+ years from now.

This second offer is for a role that involves travel to work in the UK every month, for a week. Unfortunately I'd still need to sell up in the UK to make it work BUT there'd be sufficient spare income to start a proper saving fund.

Financially - this is risky I admit BUT it's also more to do with a lifestyle change and a better work/life balance.

I work in a very stressful environment, and I have done for much longer than I should, it impacts every aspect of my life and this is a chance for a fresh start.

I am still undecided, and I expect I'll have to come over for 3-6 months on my own anyway, just to get the house sale sorted so there should be time to decide it's all a mistake just before those bridges get burned!

Originally Posted by Julesprivate (Post 12335409)

Had an additional couple of estimates done so it's not as bad as I'd thought, so that's one less thing to worry about LOL.

I'll be flying over in just over 2 weeks to start the new job..

Blimey this all happened very quickly..