If you are planning to live in Malta, why not settle and work in Gozo? Although it is quieter than the main island of Malta, Gozo can also be an interesting place to live and work in. Located 25 minutes away from Malta by ferry, Gozo is the second biggest island of the Maltese archipelago, stretching over 67 km² in the Mediterranean Sea.
Gozo: A pleasant environment to live and work in
Gozo is the second largest island in the Maltese archipelago, which has eight islands in total. Truly rural, Gozo is appreciated for its nature but also for its treasures, such as the temples of Ġgantija and the Dwejra bay (including the former Azure Window). Like any self-respecting island, Gozo has many seaside resorts, the most popular of which are Marsalforn and Xlendi Bay, but it also beats a kind of record with no less than 46 churches. Among them is the Xewkija church, which has a capacity of 3,000 people!
Gozo is a peaceful and serene island with thousands of years of history to explore. The island consists of 14 municipalities, the largest of which is the capital city of Victoria, also known as Rabat. Gozo's population is around 32,000 inhabitants.
Living and working in Gozo, you will also be able to enjoy exceptional beaches, breathtaking scuba diving sites, beautiful rural landscapes, as well as a rich cultural heritage, with traditional Mediterranean cuisine and a warm and hospitable population.
Gozo is particularly praised for its greener natural landscape than in Malta, which it has managed to preserve over the years despite increased interest in the island by both tourists and expats.
Seen from afar, Gozo looks deserted, except for the few small fishing boats or pleasure boats that can be seen along the coast. Built with limestone, the houses have the same color as the rock and blend into the landscape.
Preserved and wild, the island of Gozo is dotted with pretty villages and traditional farms scattered over a mosaic of terraced fields, steep hills and deep valleys. To the south, the Mediterranean is dominated by the cliffs of Ta' Ċenċ from which one can reach the cove of Mġarr Ix-Xini and the bay of Xlendi, and to the north, one finds the honey-colored salt pans of Xwejni Bay.
To get to Gozo, there is only one option: the ferry! You can take the ferry from two places in Malta: Ċirkewwa (in the very north of Malta) and Valletta (the capital city). Leaving from the ferry terminal of Ċirkewwa in Malta, the ferry operated by Gozo Channel takes you to Mġarr on the island of Gozo in just 30 minutes. Note that, however, it takes around 45 minutes by car and one hour 25 minutes by bus to join the ferry terminal from Valletta. For that reason, fast ferries departing from Valletta were launched in 2021. Two ferries companies are operating: Gozo Fast Ferry and Virtu Ferries Gozo. Thanks to those ferries, you can go from Valletta to Mġarr in Gozo in just under 45 minutes.
Economy in Gozo
Gozo's economy relies heavily on construction and real estate development. Agriculture, animal husbandry, and fisheries are also important parts of the local economy.
Almost half of Gozo's land is used for agricultural purposes, including the farming of fruits and vegetables (tomatoes, potatoes, citrus, melons, watermelons, courgettes, and grapes for wine production). Less than a quarter of land has been left wild. In the past few years, Gozo has been developing a project called Eco-Gozo. Its aims at making Gozo more sustainable and focuses on ecology and agriculture. A center has been opened in Xewkija, Gozo, for research, development and innovation purposes. It is called the Government Experimental Farm (GEF).
Gozo has a long tradition of handicrafts. In the past, Gozitans used to depend on their skills to survive. Today, craftspeople keep working in crafts centers in Gozo (especially the Ta' Dbieġi crafts village). Various traditional arts and crafts can be found: glass blowing, lace making, sculpture, ceramic, etc. As one of the island's specialties is lace making, it is common to see people making lace objects in the streets (bookmarks, doilies, etc.).
Tourism has more recently become one of the leading job providers on the island. However, it has been developing in a different way from that of its big sister Malta. Here it is rural tourism and agritourism. Tourists are looking for calm and serenity. In Gozo, travelers are accommodated in converted farms dating from the 17th, 18th, or 19th centuries and wake up in the morning to the crowing of the rooster. Yet, the vast majority of them stay only one day and return to Malta in the evening.
Do you need a visa or permit to work in Gozo?
Like in other places in Malta, you might need a visa and a work permit to work in Gozo.
If you are a citizen of a European Union country, a European Economic Area (EEA) country member, or Switzerland, you do not need a work permit to work in Malta. However, remember that you need a residence permit to stay for more than three months. This residence permit is called eResidence card. For more information, see our article “Obtaining an eResidence card in Malta”.
If you come from another country, you need a work visa. You are considered a “Third-country national”. Your future Maltese employer will take care of the governmental procedures.
Working conditions in Gozo
Maltese companies have a probationary period that can be as long as one year (though it is often shorter), which applies in Gozo as well. Employees work 40 hours per week and have 24 days off per year plus 14 public holidays. Internships are not the best option to get closer to the job market in Gozo, as companies are not obliged to pay interns, which is perhaps the reason why there are so many internship offers in Malta.
Wages are a bit lower in Gozo than in Malta. In 2022, the average gross annual basic salary was around €19,500 in Gozo and around €20,700 in Malta (the main island).
Knowing that there are more work opportunities on the main Maltese island (Malta), some people think about living in Gozo and working in Malta. This idea can seem seductive because it would let the people enjoy the best of both worlds: the great quality of life in Gozo and the flourishing economy of Malta. Actually, it is not such a good idea. In fact, commuting between both islands every day can be kind of a hassle. This can be surprising, considering the size of the country. Malta is small, but it is the most densely populated country in the European Union, with about 1,672.2 inhabitants per square kilometer. As we mentioned above, it takes time to move between Malta and Gozo by ferry, more time than commuting in some capital and big cities such as Paris or London. Some Gozitans who found a job in Malta actually rent a place to stay there during the week and take the ferry to come back to spend the weekend in Gozo. As a result, Gozo ferries tend to be crowded on Sunday evenings. The new fast ferries operating between Valletta and Gozo slightly improved the situation. However, it is still quite a long trip, and car or bus rides to get to the ferry add up.
Consequently, if you want to live in Gozo, you need to find a job in Gozo. Make sure you study the labor market before you arrive in Gozo.
The labor market in Gozo
Working in Gozo means adapting to rural life and accepting local wages. The minimum wage in Malta is 777 euros per month in 2022. Working in Gozo also means speaking English unless you are fluent in Maltese.
Even though the island is preserved to keep its natural charm, it is constantly developing, and the job market offers more opportunities.
The beautiful nature in Gozo and its historical heritage attract more and more tourists. However, the type of tourism growing in Gozo is a bit different. The sector is focusing on agritourism (or agrotourism), rural and eco-tourism. Sports activities are also developing especially scuba diving. Certified diving instructors come from abroad to work in Gozo and share their passion for the sea.
However, Gozo is not the best place if you want to find an office job. Malta is much more recommended for this.
In a nutshell, it can be more difficult to find a job in Gozo than in Malta. So make sure your skills fit the local labor market before you relocate to Gozo.
Job hunting in Gozo
Gozo is a developing island, with its focus still traditionally on agriculture and the new tourism economy. Finding a job in Gozo is a bit more difficult than in Malta, given the lack of diversity of industry here.
If you are looking into the tourism industry, you could reach out directly to companies of interest to inquire about job opportunities, especially during the high tourist season. It is often best to be in Gozo in person, as local companies prefer face-to-face contact with potential candidates.
You can always start your job search in Malta by registering with JobsPlus and with EURES (for EU Citizens). You can also seek help from the Gozo Business Chamber, which is an official specialized organization.
JobsPlus is the Maltese national employment agency. You will find many job offers throughout the year. JobsPlus also offers free courses to obtain certifications as well as language courses! There is a JobsPlus office in Gozo, located in Victoria, Sir Arturo Mercieca Street. You may need to make an appointment by phone (153) or by email (gozo.jobsplus@gov.mt).
Job offers are also advertised online. Some websites publish job offers in Gozo, but they are not numerous. Maltapark is a good resource; it is a very popular site among Maltese. Social media sites like Facebook are also widely used amongst Gozitans. On Facebook, you will find a lot of groups dedicated to job search in Malta and Gozo. Type keywords such as « jobs in Gozo” or “jobs in Malta”. You will find pages and groups where job offers are posted every day.
Local Maltese and Gozitan newspapers (printed and online) also advertise some job offers.
Gozo being a very small island, being on-site allows you to make contacts quickly and to communicate directly with possible employers, which is a plus.
Good to know:
When searching for a job in Gozo or Malta in general on the internet, remember that the official languages are Maltese and English. Therefore, do all your research in English (or in Maltese). Your CV should also be in English.
Being a self-employed expat in Gozo
If you are planning to work in Gozo, creating your own job may be a good solution. As an expat, there are a lot of businesses you can start on this beautiful island. Malta and Gozo are open to business and offer a lot of incentives, such as a favorable tax system. As the real estate sector is growing in Gozo, you can invest in a property. Some expats open a boutique hotel in Gozo, in line with rural tourism. Sporty people open scuba diving centers, for example, in Marsalforn, or lead tourism tours in Gozo. Other business opportunities include services to individuals, flat sharing between expats, etc. For more information about business creation in Malta and Gozo, see our article “Setting up a business in Malta”.
Finally, consider being a remote worker, a freelancer, or a digital nomad in Gozo. Despite being a rather rural destination, Gozo benefits from a good internet connection. There are a lot of jobs you can do with only a laptop in Gozo, such as copywriter, web developer, web designer, and graphic designer.
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