Malta has placed tenth out of 192 countries and territories in the 2026 Rumavi Global Relocation Index, scoring 69.8 overall and securing a spot in the world’s top ten for living and relocation.

The index placed Malta behind Czechia, St Kitts and Nevis, Hong Kong and Lithuania in the rankings, though comfortably ahead of a significant portion of the field. Estonia led the overall table with 72.8 points, narrowly ahead of Singapore on 72.6 and Malaysia on 72, with Portugal and Taiwan completing the global top five.

The index highlighted Malta’s currency and banking infrastructure as a particular strength, awarding it 97 out of 100. English proficiency scored 88 points. Green space, however, received just 21 out of 100 and street safety came in at 57, indicating areas where the island trails its peers.

Malta’s performance varied considerably across specific relocation profiles. It ranked 12th globally for digital nomads and 18th for tax-friendliness, results that reflect the country’s established appeal among remote workers and those seeking a lighter fiscal environment. It placed 22nd for retirees and 26th for entrepreneurs. Families told a different story: Malta ranked 43rd in that category, a notable gap relative to its overall position.

The Rumavi Global Relocation Index covers 192 countries and territories, assessing them across a range of factors relevant to people considering a move abroad. Malta’s tenth-place finish puts it alongside some of the world’s more consistently favoured relocation destinations, even as the green space and street safety scores signal real trade-offs for prospective residents.

For a small island nation, the result is a credible showing, particularly in categories tied to connectivity, finance and language accessibility. Whether those strengths are enough to offset the lower scores will depend heavily on what any individual or business is actually looking for in a new base.