Do They Speak English in Malta? Yes — And Here's the Proof

Yes — English is one of Malta’s official languages, and you can travel, shop, study and sort out any paperwork here using English alone. Around 96% of working-age Maltese have at least a basic command of English, and it is the language of schools, government, and most menus and signs. You will not need a single word of Maltese to have a smooth trip or a successful study stay, though a few polite phrases are always welcome.

We live here, and this is the most common question we hear from first-time visitors and from students choosing between Malta, the UK and Ireland. So let us answer it properly — with the numbers, where they come from, and what daily life actually feels like.

Key facts

• English is a co-official language, alongside Maltese (and Maltese Sign Language).
• 96.0% of working-age people have at least basic English (NSO Malta Skills Survey, 2022).
• Schools, the University of Malta and government business run largely in English.
• You need zero Maltese as a visitor or student.
• Around 62–66% of people also speak conversational Italian.

Why English is official here

Malta was a British possession from 1800 until independence in 1964, and that long connection left English firmly in place. Since 1964, the Constitution has made both Maltese and English official languages, and in 2016 Maltese Sign Language was added as a third. So English here is not a tourist convenience bolted on for visitors — it is woven into the law, the schools and the workplace. That is the real reason it feels so effortless when you arrive.

How many people really speak it?

You will see two figures repeated online — 88% and 96% — often side by side with no explanation. They measure different things, so here is the plain version.

The current, most authoritative number is 96.0%. It comes from the National Statistics Office’s Malta Skills Survey (2022), which found that 96% of the surveyed working-age population has at least basic knowledge of English — ahead of Maltese (90.4%) and Italian (62.0%).

The older 88% figure comes from a 2012 EU survey (Special Eurobarometer 386), in which 88% of Maltese said they could speak English — up from 76% in 1995. It is a self-reported figure from more than a decade ago, so treat it as history, not today’s reality.

One more telling detail: Malta is left out of the well-known EF English Proficiency Index entirely, because that index ranks countries learning English as a foreign language. In Malta, English is not foreign — it is official, and for a fast-growing number of people, native.

English or Maltese in daily life?

Both, side by side. A joint NSO/University of Malta survey found that 97% of adults still consider Maltese their first language, and most Maltese grow up speaking Maltese at home. English and Maltese do not compete here — they share the day. A shopkeeper might chat to a neighbour in Maltese and turn to you in flawless English without missing a beat.

Only around 10% of the population (roughly 48,000 people) speak English as their first or home language. But that is changing fast among the young: the 2021 Census found nearly 25% of Maltese children under 10, and 14.7% of those aged 10–19, now consider English their first language — concentrated in areas like Sliema, St Julian’s, Swieqi and Mdina.

For you, the practical upshot is simple. In the tourist and student zones — Sliema, St Julian’s, Valletta, Bugibba — English is everywhere. Menus, signs, transport information, museum labels and official forms are all in English as standard.

Do you need any Maltese at all?

No. In our years here, we have never seen a visitor stuck for lack of Maltese. Taxi drivers, market sellers, café staff, pharmacists and hotel receptionists all work in English every day.

The only place you might meet slightly less confident English is with some older people in inland villages or in Gozo’s quieter towns — and even then, someone nearby will happily translate. A few friendly words still go a long way, though:

• Bonġu (BON-joo) — Good morning
• Grazzi (GRAT-si) — Thank you
• Jekk jogħġbok (yek YOJ-bok) — Please
• Saħħa (SAH-ha) — Cheers / bye

Choosing Malta to study English

This is where Malta quietly wins. If you are deciding between Malta, the UK and Ireland for an English course, Malta offers the same English-language immersion — you are surrounded by English all day — usually at a lower cost and with far more sunshine.

Factor	Malta	UK	Ireland
English status	Official & everyday	Native	Native
Typical climate	Warm, sunny most of the year	Cooler, changeable	Cool, changeable
Relative course + living cost	Generally lower	Higher	Higher
EU member	Yes	No	Yes
Also widely spoken	Italian (~62–66%)	—	Irish (limited daily use)

Because English is an official language, your immersion does not stop at the classroom door. Signs, shops, part-time errands and everyday chat all happen in English — the kind of total-immersion environment that actually makes a language stay work.

FAQs

Is English the official language of Malta? Yes. English and Maltese are both official languages under Malta’s Constitution, and have been since independence in 1964. Maltese Sign Language was added in 2016.

Do Maltese people speak English or Maltese in daily life? Both. Most people speak Maltese at home (97% call it their first language) but use English easily at work, in shops and in government. Switching between the two is completely normal.

Can I get by in Malta without speaking any Maltese? Completely. With 96% of working-age people having at least basic English, you can handle everything from taxis to paperwork in English. A few Maltese pleasantries are a nice bonus, not a need.

What language are Maltese schools and university taught in? Largely English. Secondary and tertiary education, including the University of Malta, are conducted almost exclusively in English.