Cost of Studying in Malta: Breakdown 2026

Malta's headline numbers split by passport, but the whole picture is friendlier than most of Western Europe. EU/EEA citizens pay no or low tuition at the public University of Malta, and Maltese and EU students often draw a small monthly stipend on top. Non-EU/EEA students pay tuition: roughly €10,800 per year for an undergraduate degree at the University of Malta (UM), €10,800–18,000 per year for postgraduate programmes, and around $16,000–22,000 per year at the private American University of Malta (AUM). Living costs sit around €700–1,100 per month, with a room costing €450–900 depending on whether you land in busy Sliema or quieter inland towns. The currency is the euro, everything in higher education is taught in English, and the Mediterranean climate keeps winter heating bills low. Here is the full 2026 breakdown so you can budget with real figures.

Tuition Fees

Three things decide your bill: nationality, institution, and your level of study.

EU/EEA and Swiss Students: No or Low Tuition

If you hold an EU/EEA passport (or Swiss citizenship), tuition at the public University of Malta is generally free or heavily subsidised. Maltese and EU students in many programmes also receive a modest monthly maintenance stipend during term. You pay only minor registration and administrative charges. Bachelor's and most master's programmes follow this pattern — confirm the exact position for your specific course on the UM admissions page, since a few specialised or self-financing master's carry fees even for EU students.

Non-EU/EEA Students: Tuition Applies

If you are from outside the EU/EEA, you pay tuition for English-taught programmes. Typical annual ranges for 2026:

• University of Malta (UM) undergraduate: around €10,800/year
• University of Malta postgraduate (master's): €10,800–18,000/year, depending on the programme
• American University of Malta (AUM): roughly $16,000–22,000/year for its US-style degrees
• MCAST (Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology): applied and vocational programmes, fees set per course — generally lower than UM degree rates

Always confirm the exact figure on each programme page — fees are set per programme, not a single national rate.

Scholarships Lighten the Load

This matters: Malta runs a real public scholarship system plus university awards. The Malta Government Scholarship Schemes ("Master it!", "Endeavour", co-funded by the European Social Fund), TESS (the Tertiary Education Scholarships Scheme), and Reaching High support postgraduate and doctoral study, while Erasmus+ funds exchange students. See our Malta scholarships guide for the full landscape.

Living Costs by City

Sliema and St Julian's

The seafront student-and-nightlife hub — the priciest place to rent, but where most international students want to be.

• Room in a shared flat: €500–900/month, often utilities extra
• Studio: €750–1,100/month
• Groceries: €180–260/month (Lidl and local grocers keep this manageable)
• Eating out: a casual meal €12–18; a ftira or pastizzi snack under €3
• Tallinja bus card (student): public buses are free for students and residents who hold the Tallinja card
• Phone plan: €10–20/month for generous data
• Total monthly estimate: €850–1,200 including rent

Msida, Valletta, the Three Cities, and Gozo

Living near UM in Msida, in the historic capital, or across the harbour cuts your rent.

• Room in a shared flat: €450–700/month
• Studio: €600–850/month
• Total monthly estimate: €700–950 including rent

Msida puts you on UM's doorstep; Gozo, the quieter sister island, is the cheapest of all but adds a ferry to your commute. For the full housing picture, see our student housing in Malta guide.

Proof of Funds for the Residence Permit

Non-EU/EEA students apply for a National Long-Stay (D) visa and a residence permit through Identity Malta / Residency Malta. You must prove you can support yourself — typically by showing funds in line with your living costs (budget around €700–1,100/month), confirmed accommodation, an acceptance letter, and valid health insurance. EU/EEA students do not need a visa but register their residence locally if staying beyond three months. The full process is in our how to apply to Maltese universities guide and on the official Malta student visa page.

One-Time Setup Costs

Budget for these in your first month:

• D visa and residence permit fees: budget €100–300 across the visa and permit application
• Rental deposit: typically one to two months' rent — €450–1,800
• Tallinja card: a few euros for the card; bus travel itself is then free for students
• Bedding, kitchen basics: €100–250 if your room comes part-furnished
• Health insurance: required for the visa — €150–500/year for non-EU students
• Total one-time costs: €900–2,800

Scholarships and Fee Reductions

Several routes lower or eliminate your Malta tuition:

• Malta Government Scholarships: "Master it!" and "Endeavour" (ESF co-funded) support master's and doctoral study with tuition and maintenance.
• TESS (Tertiary Education Scholarships Scheme): funds postgraduate study, often in priority fields.
• Reaching High Scholarships: targeted doctoral and advanced research funding.
• University of Malta awards: faculty and departmental bursaries for strong applicants.
• Erasmus+: exchange students pay no tuition at the host and receive a monthly grant.

The full landscape is in our Malta scholarships guide.

Working Part-Time

EU/EEA students may work freely. Non-EU/EEA students need a Jobsplus employment licence and may work up to 20 hours per week, typically only after the first 13 weeks of their course. Common student jobs sit in tourism, hospitality, retail, English-language schools, and the iGaming sector. Hourly pay for entry-level work runs roughly €6–9, with hospitality often topped up in summer. A realistic 20-hour week brings in €500–700/month gross — useful, rarely enough to cover non-EU tuition. The rules are in our working while studying in Malta guide.

Annual Budget Summary

Two scenarios to show the range.

Scenario A: EU Student, UM Bachelor's, Msida Shared Room

• Tuition (EU citizen): €0
• Rent (Msida shared room): €6,000/year (€500/month)
• Food and groceries: €2,640/year (€220/month)
• Transport (free bus with Tallinja card): €0
• Phone, internet, personal: €2,400/year
• Total: ~€11,040/year

Scenario B: Non-EU Student, UM Master's, Sliema Studio

• Tuition (UM postgraduate): €12,000/year
• Rent (Sliema studio): €10,200/year (€850/month)
• Food and groceries: €3,000/year (€250/month)
• Health insurance: €300/year
• Personal / leisure: €2,400/year
• Total: ~€27,900/year

Model your own numbers with the cost-of-study calculator.

Cost Comparison: EU vs Non-EU

Item (per year)	EU/EEA student, Msida	Non-EU, Sliema (no scholarship)
Tuition	€0–low	€10,800–18,000
Rent	€5,400–7,200	€8,400–10,800
Food	€2,400–3,000	€3,000–3,600
Health insurance	EHIC (free)	€150–500
Other	€1,800–2,800	€2,400–3,200

Hidden Costs Students Miss

• Summer cooling: Malta winters are mild, but July and August are hot — budget for air-conditioning electricity, which can spike summer bills.
• Utilities on top of rent: many Sliema and St Julian's lets quote rent excluding water and electricity — confirm before signing.
• Ferry to Gozo: if you live or study across the channel, factor the Gozo Channel ferry into your weekly costs.
• Health insurance for non-EU students: required for the visa — €150–500/year for adequate cover.
• Flights home: Malta International Airport links cheaply across Europe via low-cost carriers; budget €200–900/year depending on distance.

Banking in Malta

Once you have your residence documents and a Maltese address, you can open an account with BOV (Bank of Valletta), HSBC Malta, APS Bank, or BNF Bank. You will need your passport, residence permit or registration, proof of address, and your university acceptance letter. Maltese banking can be slower than the Nordic norm — book an appointment early and bring originals. Card payments are widely accepted, but keep some cash for small kiosks and the occasional cash-only café.

Healthcare and Insurance

EU/EEA students use the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for state healthcare during their stay. Non-EU/EEA students must hold private health insurance meeting the visa requirement — typically €150–500/year. Malta's public health system, centred on Mater Dei Hospital, is well regarded, and English is spoken throughout. Keep your insurance documents handy for both the visa application and any medical visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to study in Malta?

EU/EEA students pay no or low tuition at the University of Malta and may receive a small stipend. Non-EU/EEA students pay around €10,800/year for an undergraduate degree at UM, €10,800–18,000/year for a master's, and roughly $16,000–22,000/year at AUM. Living costs run €700–1,100/month.

How much money do I need to show for the residence permit?

Non-EU/EEA students must show enough to cover living costs — budget around €700–1,100/month — plus confirmed accommodation, an acceptance letter, and valid health insurance, when applying for the National Long-Stay (D) visa and residence permit via Identity Malta. EU/EEA students do not need a visa.

Is Malta cheap for students?

Reasonably, by Western European standards — especially for EU students with no or low tuition. Buses are free for students with a Tallinja card, the climate keeps heating costs low, and food is affordable. Rent in Sliema and St Julian's is the main expense; Msida and Gozo are cheaper.

Can I cover my living costs by working part-time?

Partly. EU students work freely; non-EU students need a Jobsplus employment licence and may work up to 20 hours per week, usually after the first 13 weeks. At €6–9/hour, a 20-hour week brings in €500–700/month gross — enough to ease living costs, rarely enough to cover non-EU tuition.

What's the cheapest way to study in Malta?

If you are EU/EEA: study at the University of Malta (no/low tuition), live in Msida or Gozo (€450–700/month rooms), use the free student bus, and cook at home. That keeps your all-in cost around €700/month.

Do I need health insurance?

Non-EU/EEA students must hold private health insurance meeting the visa requirement (€150–500/year). EU/EEA students use the EHIC for state healthcare during their stay.

Are there student discounts in Malta?

Yes. The Tallinja card makes public buses free for students and residents, the University of Malta student ID unlocks library, sports, and on-campus discounts, and many cinemas, museums, and shops offer student rates. Erasmus and ESN networks add social and travel discounts.

For the complete picture — tuition, the residence permit, scholarships, and life as a student — see Study in Malta and our why study in Malta guide. If you need to sharpen your English before applying, sprachschule.org lists accredited English courses, including in Malta's large language-school sector.

Related guides

• Scholarships for Malta 2026
• Student Housing in Malta 2026
• How to Apply to Maltese Universities 2026
• Study in Malta: Country Guide
• Malta Student Visa & Residence Permit Guide 2026