Capital: Valletta
Language(s): Maltese
Population: 407,000
Total Area: 316 km²
GDP (in billion USD): 8
Malta, officially the Republic of Malta, is a southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the center of the Mediterranean, 80 km south of Sicily, 284 km east of Tunisia and 333 km north of Libya.
Property prices in Malta are falling, after a short-lived surge in the first half of 2010. Malta's overall house price index dropped by 2.61% over the year to Q1 2011, according to the Central Bank of Malta. When adjusted for inflation, house prices actually fell 5.04% over the same period.
There are many restrictions on property ownership in Malta. Foreign nationals and EU citizens can only buy one property in Malta, and usually only for owner-occupancy. But they can buy more properties in 'specially designated areas' such as Tigne Point, Portomaso, Cottoenra, Manoel Island, and Chambray.
Properties owned by foreigners can be rented out only if the property is valued over €233,000, it has a swimming pool, and it is registered with the Hotel and Catering Establishments Board. Foreign-owned properties can only be rented out for short-term lease agreements.