If you needed a signal that Malta’s profile on the international stage is shifting, look no further than the British press. In a recent feature, UK newspaper The Times has boldly declared Malta the “new Dubai” for British expatriates. But what’s driving this comparison? Is it the year-round Mediterranean warmth? The improving infrastructure? According to the report, the primary magnet is a familiar one: A favourable fiscal environment.

The article paints a picture of a seamless transition for Brits seeking sun without the culture shock. It highlights the obvious comforts: “They drive on the same side of the road, there are red postboxes, HSBCs on the corner and they have Marks & Spencer.” For families like Louise Burley’s, who moved from Wakefield, these familiarities make settling in effortless.

But the core of the “new Dubai” label lies deeper than postboxes and M&S. The Times pinpoints the key advantages attracting British entrepreneurs, remote workers, and retirees:

• A flat 15 per cent tax levy: Malta’s attractive tax schemes, particularly for high-net-worth individuals and highly-skilled expatriates, offer a predictable and efficient fiscal landscape. The ability to cap one’s income tax rate at 15 per cent on foreign income remitted to Malta is a powerful draw, especially for those seeking to optimise their financial planning post-Brexit.
  

• Subsidised Private Schools: For families, the availability of high-quality, internationally-recognised private education at a subsidised cost adds a significant layer of appeal, making the move not just a lifestyle decision, but a strategic investment in their children’s future.

While the “new Dubai” moniker is catchy, it’s essential to look at what makes Malta unique. Unlike the Gulf giant, Malta offers something beyond a tax-efficient setup: A pathway to full EU citizenship and integration. For Britons navigating the new complexities of post-Brexit travel and business, Malta provides stable access to the European single market, a robust legal system, and a rich, English-speaking community embedded within a millennia of history.

The narrative that Brits are “flocking there to avoid paying taxes” is an oversimplification. They are relocating to an EU member state that not only shares language and culture, but that competes for global talent with a compelling, packaged offer.

For Malta, this growing attention from quality publications like The Times is a validation of its economic strategy. It signals that the island is successfully positioning itself not just as a holiday destination, but as a serious, stable, and highly attractive hub for international residents seeking a superior quality of life within a fiscally efficient and familiar European setting.

The “new Dubai” may be a headline, but the reality is distinctly Maltese – and for a growing number of Brits, that’s precisely the point.