What renting in Malta costs: rents by town, upfront costs and bills.
In Next To Rent's 2025–2026 closed deals a 1-bedroom apartment rents from about €750 a month in Marsaskala and Mosta up to €1,400 in Sliema and St Julian's; a 2-bedroom for €900–1,700; and a 3-bedroom for €1,200–2,350. In Valletta and Ta' Xbiex homes of any size rent for €1,250–1,500. On top of rent, budget for a deposit of usually one month and the first month in advance.
In Next To Rent's closed deals, a 2-bedroom apartment costs €1,350–1,700 a month in Sliema, €1,300–1,600 in Gżira, €1,200–1,500 in Msida and San Ġwann, €1,050–1,250 in Mosta and €900–1,200 in Marsaskala. Most town pages give 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom ranges; 4-bedroom homes and penthouses are valued individually.
We can't call a trend yet: the NTR Rental Index, which tracks asking rents on every home we list, began in Q3 2026 with a median of €1,500 a month across 122 homes, and the first comparison comes with the Q4 2026 edition. Asking rents sit above what tenants finally agree, which is why we also publish closed-deal ranges.
It depends mostly on air conditioning: in summer it can double or triple the electricity bill. Make sure the account is on the cheaper residential tariff by registering everyone who lives there with ARMS, photograph the meters at handover, and pay on actual readings, not estimates. Internet is billed separately by your provider.
Budget for the first month's rent in advance, a security deposit (usually one month's rent, occasionally two for a furnished home), and the agency fee if you rent through an agent — at Next To Rent, 50% of one month's rent + VAT, payable only when you sign. Pay only against a written contract and receipts.
Location matters most: harbour towns and sea views cost more than central and southern towns. After that come size, condition and finish, outside space and parking, whether the home is furnished, and timing — demand peaks before September and in the summer months. A well-finished home in a cheaper town can beat a tired one in Sliema.
Sometimes. You have most room on a home that has been listed for a while, needs work or is let in a quieter month, and on longer leases: offering 18 or 24 months, a flexible move-in date or strong references is often worth more to a landlord than a higher rent. In-demand homes in Sliema or St Julian's priced on the market rarely move.