Student Housing in Malta: Options, Costs and Contracts

Why most students rent privately in Malta

University of Malta's main campus sits in Msida, and the university does not run large on-campus halls of residence for the general student population. Both Maltese and international students typically rent private accommodation, share apartments, or, for local students, live at home and commute. Check UM's student life pages directly before you commit to a lease, since housing guidance and any partner schemes change between years.

Search local property listing sites and university-linked student groups for available rooms and apartments, since demand rises sharply in the weeks before the October intake. Many students find shared apartments through informal networks, including current student groups and social media, alongside listed rental agencies.

Where students live

• Msida: closest to campus, walkable to lectures, popular with international students.

• Gzira and Sliema: coastal, close to nightlife and the ferry to Valletta, generally pricier.

• St Julian's: Malta's main nightlife and business district, a short commute to campus.

• Birkirkara, Hamrun, and other inland towns: further from the coast, generally cheaper, still connected to campus by bus.

Malta's islands are small, and the bus network connects most towns to the Msida campus area, so living slightly further out to save on rent rarely adds a long commute.

Furnished rentals and room types

Most student rentals in Malta come furnished, since the market caters heavily to short and medium-length stays. Expect a bed, wardrobe, basic kitchen equipment, and often a washing machine included, though standards vary a lot between listings.

You choose mainly between a private studio or apartment, a private room in a shared apartment, or a shared room in a larger shared flat. Shared apartments cost less per person and suit students who want a built-in social network, while a private studio costs more but gives you full control over your own space and schedule.

Costs to budget beyond rent

Ask your landlord clearly whether utilities, internet, and any building or community charges sit inside or outside the monthly rent figure quoted to you. Utility costs in Malta vary by season, since air conditioning use rises during the hot summer months, so factor this into your budget even if your lease starts in a cooler month.

What a rental contract should cover

Before you sign anything, confirm the contract covers:

• The monthly rent and what it includes: water, electricity, internet, or none of these.

• The deposit amount and the exact conditions for getting it back at the end of the lease.

• The minimum lease length, since many landlords in Malta ask for a fixed term rather than a rolling monthly agreement.

• Notice periods for both you and the landlord if either side wants to end the agreement early.

• Who handles repairs and maintenance during your stay.

• Whether the lease is registered with Malta's rental authorities, since registered agreements give tenants clearer legal protection if a dispute arises.

Get every term in writing, in a signed agreement, even for informal arrangements between students. A verbal agreement leaves you with no proof if a dispute comes up over your deposit or the state of the apartment when you move out.

Before you arrive

• Start your search early, since demand around the Msida campus rises sharply before the October intake.

• Ask to see the apartment on a video call if you cannot visit in person before signing.

• Photograph the apartment's condition on move-in day, before you unpack, to protect your deposit.

• Confirm your address registration requirements with UM's international student services once you sign a lease, since these differ for EU and non-EU students.

• Set up a local bank account or ask whether your landlord accepts international transfers, since some landlords expect rent paid from a Maltese account.

• Check whether your accommodation sits on a bus route if you do not plan to buy a scooter or car, since most students rely on public transport to reach campus.