Relocating to Malta with Children: How to Choose the Right School 

For families considering a move to Malta, choosing a school is one of the most important practical decisions to make before relocating. The choice can influence where a family lives, the daily commute, childcare arrangements, education costs, and how easily children continue their studies after an international move. 

Malta offers three main types of schools: state, church, and independent. State schools may be free for eligible pupils, while church schools generally do not charge conventional tuition fees but may request contributions. Eligibility for free state education can depend on the family’s residence and employment circumstances.

For internationally mobile families, the right choice will depend on factors including curriculum, language, location, and the child’s age and stage of education. 

Key Takeaways  

• Parents in Malta can choose between three main school sectors: state, church, and independent 
• State schools accounted for the largest share of pupils in pre-primary, primary, and secondary education in 2023/24 
• Independent schools offer the widest choice of curricula, including British and International Baccalaureate pathways 
• Church-school places can be competitive, with extremely limited spaces  
• School choice can influence where an international family decides to live, making education an important part of wider relocation planning 

Why This Matters for International Families  

Education is often one of the first practical questions international families need to resolve when considering a move to Europe. 

For families relocating to Malta, the school decision can intersect with several other parts of the relocation process, including: 

• Residence planning  
• Family relocation  
• Property selection  
• Tax planning  
• Employment and business arrangements  
• Childcare  
• Long-term education planning  

For younger children, parents may have more flexibility when choosing between different educational systems. For teenagers, continuity can become more important, particularly if a child has already started working toward qualifications such as IGCSEs or A Levels. This means school selection is best treated as part of the wider relocation strategy rather than as a decision made after a family has already arrived in Malta. 

Understanding Malta’s School System 

Malta’s education system is divided into three main sectors: state schools, church schools, and independent schools. Each provides a different combination of cost, curriculum, admissions requirements, and language arrangements, so it’s important to know the differences between each before you begin your school search.  

1. State Schools

State schools form the largest part of Malta’s education system. In 2023/24, they accounted for 59.6% of pupils in pre-primary, primary, and secondary education. 

They are distributed throughout Malta and its sister island Gozo, and provide an accessible option for families seeking a local Maltese education. However, international families should confirm whether they qualify for tuition-free state education, as residence under the MPRP alone does not automatically provide that entitlement.

The Language in State Schools

Malta has two official languages, Maltese and English, and both form part of the state education system. The balance between the languages can differ depending on the subject and school. 

International parents should therefore investigate the language approach of the specific school they are considering rather than assuming that all schools operate in the same way. 

Children arriving from overseas who require additional support with Maltese or English can also access programs intended to help international learners transition into mainstream education. 

Class Sizes and Transport

State schools also have relatively small average class sizes compared with the other two sectors. The latest NSO figures put average class sizes across Malta at 18.6 pupils in primary education and 19.2 in secondary education, with state schools recording the lowest averages at both levels. 

Eligible pupils can also benefit from the government’s free school transport scheme, which operates across Malta. 

For families prioritizing affordability and integration into Malta’s local education system, state schools can therefore provide a practical option. 

2. Church Schools

Church schools are Catholic schools that form part of Malta’s publicly supported education system. They do not charge conventional tuition fees, although parents are asked to make an annual contribution toward school costs. Families remain responsible for expenses such as uniforms and school supplies. 

For families moving from overseas, the main consideration may be admissions. Places can be very competitive, and admissions operate according to specific criteria, with ballots used in some circumstances. 

For example, for the 2025/26 school year, the Secretariat for Catholic Education received 3,882 applications for 1,577 places in Malta. For 2026/27, the number only slightly increased, with 1,621 places announced in Malta, alongside a further 240 places in Gozo. 

Admissions also operate around particular entry points, including Kindergarten, Year 1, and Form 1. Applications for other years are handled by individual schools. For this reason, families considering church education should investigate admissions requirements and application dates well before their intended move. 

Similar to state schools, eligible pupils may also use the government’s free school transport scheme, subject to the applicable requirements. 

For families looking for a Catholic educational environment without conventional private-school tuition fees, church schools can be an attractive option, provided a suitable place is available. 

3. Independent and International Schools

Independent schools provide the broadest choice for families seeking an international education in Malta. Depending on the school, children may follow British, international, or other educational programs rather than Malta’s National Curriculum. 

Some schools offer British-style education leading to qualifications such as IGCSEs and A Levels, while others offer the International Baccalaureate or other international programs. 

For families relocating from the UK or other countries where children are already following a particular curriculum, this can be extremely helpful. For an older child, continuing with a familiar qualification pathway may make an international relocation easier to manage academically. 

English is also the principal teaching language at many independent and international schools, although language provision varies. Schools can be known to offer additional languages such as Maltese, French, Italian, Spanish, or German. 

There is also a significant international presence within Malta’s schools. In 2023/24, 17.4% of pupils in pre-primary through secondary education were foreign nationals, with foreign pupils concentrated mainly in state and independent schools. 

However, when compared to the other avenues, the principal trade-off here is cost. Independent schools charge tuition fees, and families may also need to budget for registration, uniforms, books, activities, and other expenses. 

The total cost can vary considerably between schools and year groups, so families should assess the full annual cost of attendance, rather than comparing tuition fees alone. 

The British Curriculum in Malta 

For English-speaking families, curriculum continuity can be one of the most important considerations. Malta’s state and church schools operate within the Maltese education system rather than simply following the English National Curriculum. 

Independent schools therefore provide the clearest route for families specifically seeking a British-style education. Several schools offer this curricula, while others provide international qualifications.  

For older children, parents should look beyond a school’s use of the word “international,” and should check: 

• Which curriculum the child will follow  
• Which examination boards are used  
• Which qualifications are offered  
• Whether the curriculum continues through the child’s year level  
• How easily existing qualifications and studies can transfer  
• What language the subjects are taught in  

This can be particularly important when a child is approaching major examinations. 

Where Should Families Live? 

School choice can also affect the property search. The Northern Harbour District, including areas such as Sliema and St. Julian’s, accounted for the largest share of pupils’ home addresses in Malta in 2023/24, at 26.5%. The Northern District followed at 19.8%.

However, families do not necessarily need to live in the same district as their child’s school. According to the 2023/24 figures, around 31% of pupils attended a school that was outside of their home district. For internationally mobile families, this makes the school commute one consideration within a broader property decision. 

A suitable home may need to work for: 

• School travel  
• Parents’ workplaces  
• Childcare  
• Public transport or driving  
• Daily amenities  
• Family routines  

Malta is geographically compact, but the school run remains part of everyday family life. The most suitable property is therefore not necessarily the one closest to a school; it is the one that works best across the family’s wider routine. 

What Is Family Life Like in Malta? 

Education planning does not end with the school timetable. For working parents, childcare and after-school arrangements can be equally important when assessing whether a relocation will work in practice. 

Klabb 3-16, a national program catering for students during after-school hours, provides after-school care for children aged three to 16 attending state, church, and independent schools. The service operates in multiple localities. 

Malta also operates a Free Childcare Scheme for eligible parents in employment or education, covering children from three months to three years old. 

These services can be relevant to internationally mobile families where both parents work, run businesses, or are establishing new professional arrangements in Malta. 

The wider relocation decision therefore extends beyond finding a school place. Families should consider how education, childcare, employment, accommodation, and their residence position can fit together. 

Education as Part of Relocation Planning 

For internationally mobile families, education is often one of the strongest practical factors in determining whether a destination is suitable for a long-term move. 

Malta’s three-sector system gives families several routes into education, from publicly supported state and church schools to independent institutions offering British and international curricula. 

The international composition of Malta’s student population is also relevant. The presence of foreign-national pupils, particularly in state and independent schools, means that international families are already part of the country’s education landscape. 

For families considering Malta residence, education can therefore sit alongside questions about accommodation, taxation, employment, healthcare, and long-term mobility. The school decision should be made according to the individual family’s circumstances rather than simply by choosing the sector with the lowest cost or the broadest curriculum.  

What This Could Mean Going Forward 

For families considering Malta, the education landscape provides several options rather than a single route. Factors that will influence decisions include the child’s age, their existing curriculum, budget, and where the family expects to live. 

Admissions availability can also change between academic years, particularly in church schools and individual independent schools. Families planning a move should therefore check current admission requirements and availability before making decisions about accommodation or relocation dates. 

For families with older children, curriculum continuity may be an especially important consideration because changing schools and countries at the same time can involve additional academic and administrative requirements. 

How Latitude Can Help  

If you are considering relocating to Malta with your family, school selection is only one part of the planning process. Understanding how education fits alongside residence, accommodation, tax, employment, and long-term mobility can help families make decisions in the right order. 

Latitude’s advisors assist internationally mobile individuals and families with residence planning, citizenship planning, relocation strategies, cross-border structuring, and global mobility solutions. 

Contact Latitude to discuss your international planning strategy and arrange a confidential consultation. 

• Contact the Latitude team: Contact Us  
• Book a complimentary consultation with one of our experts: Schedule a consultation 

Related Resources 

• Expert Opinion: Malta’s Residency-Led Value Proposition 
• Malta Leads Europe in Tourism Growth: What It Means for Property and MPRP Applicants
• Why Malta is Becoming a European Base for Family Offices 
• Exploring Malta: A Refined Guide for Prospective Residents  
• Why Malta’s Improving Public Finances Matter to Those Considering Permanent Residence 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Is education free in Malta?

State schools are free for eligible pupils, while church schools do not charge conventional tuition fees but ask parents for contributions toward school costs. Independent schools charge tuition fees, with additional expenses potentially applying for items such as registration, uniforms, books, meals, activities, and examinations. 

Can foreign children attend schools in Malta?

Yes. International children can attend Malta’s education system, subject to the relevant admission and eligibility requirements. Children who need additional support with Maltese or English can also access programs designed to support their transition into mainstream education. 

Can my child follow the British curriculum in Malta?

Yes. A number of independent schools offer British curricula and qualifications, including pathways involving IGCSEs and A Levels. Other schools offer international programs, including the International Baccalaureate. 

Do children need to speak Maltese to attend school in Malta?

Not necessarily. Maltese and English are both part of Malta’s state education system, while independent schools have their own language policies. Families seeking an English-medium education should check the specific curriculum and language arrangements of each school. 

Is school transport available in Malta?

Eligible pupils in state, church, and independent schools can access the government’s school transport scheme, subject to the applicable conditions. 

When should families apply for schools in Malta?

Families should begin investigating schools before relocating. This is particularly important for church schools, where admissions follow defined entry points and application periods, and for independent schools where availability can differ between year groups. 

Should families choose their home before choosing a school?

Not necessarily. For families with school-age children, school location and commute can be useful factors when deciding where to live. The best property choice will also need to account for parents’ work, childcare, transport, and other everyday requirements. 

Does choosing a school affect Malta residence planning?

School choice does not itself determine a family’s residence status, but education can be an important part of wider relocation planning. Families considering Malta should assess residence requirements alongside accommodation, schooling, tax, employment, and other practical aspects of the move.