Published on and written by Cyril Jarnias
Relocating to Malta is a rewarding experience, but it’s natural to want to stay connected with family and friends back home. Fortunately, thanks to modern technology, staying in touch from Malta has never been easier. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you maintain those precious relationships, even from a distance.
Malta’s Telecom Giants: Your Gateway to the World
To stay connected, choosing the right internet service provider is essential. In Malta, three main operators share the market:
- Melita: Known for offering the best connection speeds, Melita provides fiber optic packages up to 1 Gbps. The operator covers the entire Maltese territory and also offers mobile phone and television services.
- GO: The second largest operator on the island, GO offers competitive fiber optic internet packages along with 4G mobile services. Their coverage is excellent throughout the archipelago.
- Epic (formerly Vodafone Malta): Although smaller, Epic offers attractive packages, particularly for mobile phones and 4G internet. Their network covers almost all of Malta and Gozo.
All three operators offer packages suitable for expatriates, with international calling options and generous mobile data allowances. It’s recommended to compare their offers to find the one that best fits your needs.
Communication Tools: Your Arsenal for Staying Close Despite the Distance
As Malta is a member of the European Union, you benefit from great freedom in using communication tools. Here are the most popular and effective applications for staying in touch:
- WhatsApp: Very popular in Malta as in the rest of Europe, WhatsApp allows you to send messages and make free voice and video calls over the internet.
- Skype: Ideal for group video calls, Skype remains essential for family conversations.
- FaceTime: For Apple device users, FaceTime offers exceptional video call quality.
- Zoom: Popular during the pandemic, Zoom is perfect for organizing virtual meetings with multiple participants.
- Facebook Messenger: Integrated with Facebook, Messenger makes it easy to stay connected with your social network.
All these tools are perfectly legal and functional in Malta. Unlike some countries, there are no restrictions on their use.
Tips for Optimizing Your Communications from Malta
To make the most of these tools and stay close to your loved ones despite the distance, here are some tips:
- Choose an unlimited home internet plan. This will allow you to use communication applications without worrying about your data usage.
- Invest in a good mobile plan with data. Since Malta is a small country, 4G coverage is excellent almost everywhere, allowing you to stay connected even while on the go.
- Take advantage of the many free WiFi hotspots available in public places in Malta to save your mobile data.
- Consider the time difference, even though it’s minimal with France (1 hour in summer, 0 in winter). Schedule regular “appointments” with your loved ones for video calls.
- Use groups on WhatsApp or Facebook to easily share news and photos with multiple people at once.
Good to know:
Most cafes, restaurants, and public places in Malta offer free WiFi connection. Don’t hesitate to take advantage of it to send messages or even make video calls when you’re out and about.
The Maltese Touch: Integrating Local Culture into Your Communications
Staying in touch isn’t just about using technology. It’s also an opportunity to share your new Maltese life with your loved ones. Here are some ideas:
- Organize virtual tours of your new living environment via video calls.
- Share photos of your Maltese culinary discoveries on social media.
- Learn a few Maltese words and surprise your loved ones by using them in your conversations.
- Send traditional postcards to complement your digital communications. It’s a nostalgic touch that will please your loved ones.
By incorporating these elements of your new life in Malta into your communications, you’ll allow your loved ones to experience this journey with you, strengthening your bonds despite the distance.
Good to know:
The Maltese postal service (MaltaPost) is reliable and efficient. Don’t hesitate to use it to send small gifts or cards to your loved ones, adding a tangible dimension to your digital communications.
Staying connected with loved ones from Malta is not only possible but also easy and rewarding. Thanks to modern telecommunications infrastructure and a multitude of communication tools, distance is no longer an obstacle. By adopting these different strategies, you’ll be able to fully share your Maltese experience with your loved ones while remaining intimately connected to them.
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Cyril Jarnias is an independent expert in international wealth management with over 20 years of experience. As an expatriate himself, he is dedicated to helping individuals and business leaders build, protect, and pass on their wealth with complete peace of mind.
On his website, cyriljarnias.com, he shares his expertise on international real estate, offshore company formation, and expatriation.
Thanks to his expertise, he offers sound advice to optimize his clients' wealth management. Cyril Jarnias is also recognized for his appearances in many prestigious media outlets such as BFM Business, les Français de l’étranger, Le Figaro, Les Echos, and Mieux vivre votre argent, where he shares his knowledge and know-how in wealth management.
