Nomad Watch

Researched Updated Oct 31, 2026 Last changed Oct 31, 2026 About guide entries

Essentials

City
Għajnsielem is a village and local council on the south-eastern coast of Gozo. The council area includes the island of Comino, and the patron saint is Our Lady of Loreto. 2
Population
The locality, including Comino, had 3,523 usual residents at the census of 21 November 2021, and an estimated 3,764 on 31 December 2024. 1
Internet Speed
GO advertises a 1,000 Mbps home fibre offer with six months free, and Plug and GO wireless at up to 50 Mbps from €27.99 a month. 7
Currency & Banking
Euro (EUR). On 19 October 2026 the ECB rate was 1 EUR = 1.1225 USD, about 0.8909 EUR per USD. Wikivoyage notes that Lombard Bank does not charge an ATM withdrawal fee. 3 4
Tap Water
Tap water meets EU safety standards but tastes salty, because most of it is desalinated seawater or aquifer water. Bottled water is what many people drink. 4
Power
230 V, 50 Hz, Type G (British three-pin) sockets. 5
SIM Card
GO, Epic and Melita. A GO eSIM can be set up in the GO app before arrival. Smart M is €11.99 for 28 days (15 GB, or 20 GB with auto top-up or a Home Pack). Smart Unlimited is €15.99 for 28 days. 6 4
Banking for Expats
Revolut is the most popular choice for nomads. Local accounts are available at BOV in Victoria.
Accommodation
Farmhouses with pools, modern apartments, and boutique hotels like Grand Hotel Gozo.
Cashless Friendly
Yes, cards and contactless payments are accepted in most restaurants and supermarkets (Jans, Ta' Dirjanu).
Short Term Rentals
Airbnb and Booking.com. Local agents like Frank Salt or Simon Mamo offer monthly leases.
Budget Accommodation
Grand Hotel Għajnsielem (approx. €65/night) or private rooms in shared farmhouses (€35/night).
Best Area to Stay for Tourists
Mġarr Harbour area for views and easy ferry access to mainland Malta. 2
Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
The area around Pjazza t'Appoġġ or towards the village center for walking access to groceries and local life.

Working and Networking

Best Coworking Space
Gozo Innovation Hub, on Gozo, is the island coworking space. A hot desk is €15 a day and a dedicated desk is €200 a month (roundup dated 11 July 2026). The operator website returned an error on 26 October 2026. 14
Best Cafe for Work
Gleneagles Bar (by the harbor) for afternoon sessions or Coffee Break Gozo (Victoria).
Networking Events
Digital Nomads Gozo Facebook Group meetups, usually held in Victoria or Xlendi.
Social Events for Expats
Friday night drinks at Mġarr Marina or community events at the Għajnsielem Parish Hall.

Transportation

Best Taxi/Ride App
Bolt and eCabs (very active in Gozo, Mġarr to Victoria approx. €8-€12).
Bike/Scooter Rental
Gozo Pride Tours or Onelife rentals in Mġarr (e-bikes approx. €25/day).
Best Beach Nearby
Ħondoq ir-Rummien is the bay at Qala, the next village to the east. Ramla l-Ħamra, north of Nadur, is the main sandy beach on Gozo. 11
Top Regional Airline
KM Malta Airlines, the flag carrier that replaced Air Malta, has its hub at Malta International Airport in Luqa. It started flying on 31 March 2024. There is no airport on Gozo. 13
Top International Airline
Ryanair, Lufthansa, and Emirates fly into Luqa (MLA) on the mainland.
Highway Access
Main road connects Għajnsielem directly to Victoria (Triq l-Imġarr).
Main Train/Transit Hub
Mġarr Harbour, in the village, is the ferry terminal for Gozo Channel boats to Ċirkewwa and Gozo Highspeed boats to Valletta. The bus from Mġarr to Victoria takes about 20 minutes. There is no passenger train. 2 11 10
Public Transport Passes
A personalised tallinja card is €25 to register (adult, student or Gozo resident), then free on day and night buses in Malta and Gozo. Tallinja Direct routes are not free. From 18 October 2026 to 12 June 2027 a cash or contactless day single is €2 (summer €2.50, night €3). The Explore Adult 7-day card is €25. A 7-day bus pass plus one Gozo Highspeed return is €42. 8 9
Regional Travel
Gozo Channel sails Mġarr to Ċirkewwa. An adult foot return is about €4.65, and children aged 3 to 12 pay €1.15. Gozo Highspeed runs Mġarr to Valletta in about 45 minutes; the standard one-way fare is €7.50 (Gozo residents €2.25). 11 10 12

Other Services and Amenities

Gaming Lounges
None in the village; gamers head to internet cafes in Victoria.
Parcel Delivery Service
MaltaPost (Għajnsielem branch in Triq J.F. De Chambray).
Tech Repair Services
Sintek (Victoria) for laptop and mobile phone repairs.
Table Tennis Spots
Għajnsielem Redcoats clubhouse (local sports club).
Language Classes
IELS Gozo (English language school in Gharb) or private Maltese tutors in Victoria.
Libraries & Study Spots
Gozo Central Public Library (Victoria).
Community Centers
Għajnsielem Learning Hub (focused on inclusive education/community activities).
Casino & Gaming Halls
Oracle Casino (main island, Qawra) or local Maltco betting shops.

Health and Wellness

Best Hospital
Gozo General Hospital in Victoria is the hospital for the island. Wikivoyage lists the phone as +356 2156 1600. For an emergency call 112. 4
Yoga & Wellness Centers
Yellow Rock Yoga (various locations across Gozo/Victoria) or sessions at the Kempinski San Lawrenz.
Gyms & Fitness Centers
Shape Up Fitness Centre (Victoria) or the fitness room at the Grand Hotel Gozo.
Laundry Services
Self-service laundromats are rare; most use 'The Laundry' in Victoria for drop-off services.

Food and Drink

Best Food Delivery App
Wolt and Bolt Food (now operating across Gozo).
Best Local Dish to Try
Gozo Ftira (open-faced pizza with potatoes/anchovies) from Mekren’s Bakery in Nadur (nearby).
Vegan/Vegetarian Options
Front (Xlendi) or the health-focused options at One80 Kitchen in Mġarr.
Best Dessert Spots
Tona’s Pastry Shop (Triq l-Imġarr) for traditional Kannoli and Imqaret.
Affordable Shopping Spots
Ta' Dirjanu Supermarket (Mġarr Road) or the local village market stalls for fruit.
E-commerce/Online Store
Amazon.de (delivers to Gozo) and Maltashopper.it (IKEA delivery service).
Grocery Delivery
Greens Supermarket (via their app) or direct delivery from Ta' Dirjanu.
Bar/Nightlife Area
The harbor front in Mġarr has several bars like Zeppi's (Nadur, 5 mins away) for live music.
Local Brewery
Lord Chambray (tasting room located in Xewkija, a 5-minute drive).
Wine Bars
Vini e Capricci by Abraham's (Xewkija) for high-end Gozitan and Italian wines.
Street Food Stalls
Pastizzi stands near the ferry terminal (€0.50 per pea/cheese cake).
Popular International Cuisine
Ta' Philip (local/Mediterranean) and Tmun (fine dining seafood) at the harbor.

Culture and Attractions

Must-See Landmarks
Our Lady of Loreto parish church and Fort Chambray are in the village, and Mġarr Harbour is the ferry port below it. 2
Museums & Art Venues
The Bethlehem f'Għajnsielem (seasonal nativity village) and Il-Ħaġar Museum in Victoria.
Historical Sites
Ġgantija Archaeological Park, on the Xagħra plateau nearby, is the Neolithic temple site. An adult ticket is €10 and includes the interpretation centre. 15
Religious Sites
Our Lady of Loreto Parish Church. 2
Annual Events
Betlehem f’Għajnsielem (December) and the Village Feast (Last Sunday of August).
Cultural Districts
The Cittadella in Victoria is the fortified old centre of Gozo, about 20 minutes by bus from Mġarr Harbour. 11
Theater Venues
Aurora and Astra Opera Houses (both in Victoria, hosting world-class opera).
Local Markets
It-Tokk Market in Victoria (daily) for local lace, honey, and salt.
Music Scene
Live acoustic sessions at Gleneagles Bar or outdoor concerts at Mġarr harbor.
Street Art
Limited; mostly found in the backstreets of Victoria or seasonal village decorations.
Cooking Classes
Savina Creativity Centre (Xewkija) offers traditional food workshops.
Art Galleries
ArtBox Gallery in Xagħra (nearby) features local Gozitan artists.
Historic Buildings
Fort Chambray (built by the Knights of St. John in 1749).
Local Heritage
The last surviving dgħajsa tal-latini, the traditional Gozitan ferry boat, is exhibited at Mġarr Harbour. 11

Nature and Outdoor Activities

Nearby Nature Escapes
Qala Belvedere for panoramic views of Comino and Malta. 11
National Parks Nearby
Malta has no park titled a national park. Dwejra, on the west coast of Gozo, has the Inland Sea. The Azure Window there collapsed in March 2017. 11
Cycling/Walking Paths
The coastal trail from Mġarr to Ħondoq ir-Rummien.
Scenic Viewpoints
The top of the Għajnsielem church tower or the cliffs at Ta' Ċenċ.
Birdwatching Locations
Simar Nature Reserve (on the main island) or the outskirts of Nadur.
Bonfire-Friendly Spots
Generally restricted; permitted only with Council permission at Ħondoq beach.

Business

Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
NSO 2025 relative apartment price level for Għajnsielem and Comino is 70.06 (national average 100). A 2026 secondary estimate puts inland Gozo at about €1,800 to €3,000 per m² (for example 40 m² is about €72,000 to €120,000). No separate village-centre series was published. 21
Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
Same NSO 2025 level of 70.06 for Għajnsielem and Comino, and the same inland band of about €1,800 to €3,000 per m² (for example 40 m² is about €72,000 to €120,000). No separate outskirts series was published. 21
1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
Same NSO 2025 level of 70.06, and about €1,800 to €3,000 per m² inland (for example 60 m² is about €108,000 to €180,000). The index is not split by number of bedrooms. 21
1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
Same NSO 2025 level of 70.06, and about €1,800 to €3,000 per m² (for example 60 m² is about €108,000 to €180,000). No separate outskirts series was published. 21
2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
Same NSO 2025 level of 70.06, and about €1,800 to €3,000 per m² (for example 80 m² is about €144,000 to €240,000). The index is not split by number of bedrooms. 21
2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
Same NSO 2025 level of 70.06, and about €1,800 to €3,000 per m² (for example 80 m² is about €144,000 to €240,000). No separate outskirts series was published. 21
Corporate Tax
35% flat on company profits. There is no separate corporation tax. From the FITWI rules published in 2025, an entity can elect 15% on chargeable income for at least five years; that tax is final and gives no imputation refund. 17
Dividend Withholding Tax
No withholding on dividends paid to non-residents. Malta uses full imputation, so the tax is the 35% already charged on the company. A 15% withholding can apply to a distribution of untaxed income to a resident individual, and in a few related cases. 19
Tax System
People who are both domiciled and ordinarily resident are taxed on worldwide income. Someone ordinarily resident but not domiciled is taxed on Malta-source income and on foreign income received in Malta, not on foreign capital gains. Non-residents are taxed only on Malta-source income and gains. 16
Highest Income Tax Bracket
35% on chargeable income over €60,000 (2026). For a single person the first €12,000 is taxed at 0%. 16
VAT
18% standard VAT. A reduced 7% applies to eligible accommodation, and 5% to electricity and some other supplies. 18
Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
Yes. Malta's ATAD rules have applied since 1 January 2019. A foreign entity is a CFC when a Malta resident holds more than 50% and the foreign tax is lower than the Malta tax that would have been charged. 20
Property Tax
No annual tax on owning a home, and no wealth tax. Tax on property is charged when it is transferred. 18
Property Transaction Tax
The buyer pays stamp duty of 5% on the higher of price or real value. The old Gozo rate of 2% ended for promises of sale registered after 31 January 2024. The seller generally pays a final withholding tax of 8% of the transfer value (10% if the property was acquired before 1 January 2004). 18 21
Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
Nomad Residence Permit holders pay 10% on authorised remote-work income, and that income is generally exempt in the first year. New applicants need €42,000 a year gross. This is not a zero-tax regime; other income follows the normal rules. 16 21

About these guide entries

Method
Researched
Last updated
Oct 31, 2026
Last changed
Oct 31, 2026

Checked against the sources below and compared with similar cities. Numbers in the list point to these sources.

  1. City Population, Ghajnsielem including Comino, census 2021 and estimate 2024Reference
  2. Wikipedia Ghajnsielem, council, Comino, parish church, Fort Chambray, Mgarr HarbourReference
  3. ECB euro reference rates, 19 October 2026Official
  4. Wikivoyage Malta, salty tap water, GO Epic and Melita, Gozo General Hospital, 112Secondary
  5. Malta plugs, 230 V 50 Hz Type GSecondary
  6. GO Smart top-up, Smart M 11.99 euro, Smart Unlimited 15.99 euro, visitor eSIMOfficial
  7. GO home internet, 1000 Mbps nationwide and Plug and GO from 27.99 euroOfficial
  8. Malta Public Transport fares, winter single 2 euro, Explore Adult 7-day 25 euroOfficial
  9. Personalised tallinja card, 25 euro, free bus scheme including GozoOfficial
  10. Gozo Highspeed fares, Valletta to Gozo standard 7.50 euro one wayOfficial
  11. Wikivoyage Gozo, ferry 4.65 euro return, Hondoq, Citadel, Dwejra, dghajsaSecondary
  12. Gozo Channel FAQ, child fare 1.15 euro, tickets at MgarrOfficial
  13. KM Malta Airlines, successor to Air Malta, hub at Luqa from 31 March 2024Reference
  14. Expatax coworking roundup, 11 July 2026, Gozo Innovation Hub 15 euro a daySecondary
  15. Heritage Malta Ggantija Archaeological Park, adult 10 euro, XaghraOfficial
  16. PwC Malta personal income tax, reviewed 30 September 2026Secondary
  17. PwC Malta corporate tax 35 percent and FITWI 15 percentSecondary
  18. PwC Malta VAT 18 percent, stamp duty 5 percent, property transfer taxSecondary
  19. PwC Malta dividend withholding, 0 percent to non-residents, 15 percent in some casesSecondary
  20. PwC Malta CFC rules, ATAD from 2019Secondary
  21. MyRent Gozo buying guide, 29 September 2026, stamp duty and NSO price levelSecondary

Change history

    • Method Generated Researched
    • 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. €2,800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €168,000 near the square). Same NSO 2025 level of 70.06, and about €1,800 to €3,000 per m² inland (for example 60 m²…
    • 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. €2,100 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €126,000). Same NSO 2025 level of 70.06, and about €1,800 to €3,000 per m² (for example 60 m² is…
    • 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. €2,600 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €208,000). Same NSO 2025 level of 70.06, and about €1,800 to €3,000 per m² (for example 80 m² is…
    • 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. €1,900 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €152,000). Same NSO 2025 level of 70.06, and about €1,800 to €3,000 per m² (for example 80 m² is…
    • Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads Nomad Residence Permit offers a flat 10% income tax rate on authorized remote work income. Nomad Residence Permit holders pay 10% on authorised remote-work income, and that income…
    29 more changes
    • Best Beach Nearby Ħondoq ir-Rummien (accessible via a 5-min drive or water taxi from Mġarr). Ħondoq ir-Rummien is the bay at Qala, the next village to the east. Ramla l-Ħamra, north…
    • Best Coworking Space The Hub Gozo (Victoria, 10 mins by bus, €15/day) or makeshift working at the Grand Hotel… Gozo Innovation Hub, on Gozo, is the island coworking space. A hot desk is €15 a day and a…
    • Best Hospital Gozo General Hospital (Victoria, 8-minute drive from Għajnsielem). Gozo General Hospital in Victoria is the hospital for the island. Wikivoyage lists the…
    • City Għajnsielem, Gozo, Malta Għajnsielem is a village and local council on the south-eastern coast of Gozo. The council…
    • Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules Yes, following EU ATAD guidelines. Yes. Malta's ATAD rules have applied since 1 January 2019. A foreign entity is a CFC when…
    • Corporate Tax 35% (effectively 5% for non-resident shareholders after tax refunds). 35% flat on company profits. There is no separate corporation tax. From the FITWI rules…
    • Cultural Districts The Cittadella (Victoria), a fortified city with 360-degree views of the island. The Cittadella in Victoria is the fortified old centre of Gozo, about 20 minutes by bus…
    • Currency & Banking Euro (EUR), 1 EUR ≈ 1.09 USD. Major banks include HSBC Malta and Bank of Valletta (BOV). Euro (EUR). On 19 October 2026 the ECB rate was 1 EUR = 1.1225 USD, about 0.8909 EUR per…
    • Dividend Withholding Tax 0% (Malta does not levy withholding tax on dividends). No withholding on dividends paid to non-residents. Malta uses full imputation, so the tax…
    • Highest Income Tax Bracket 35% 35% on chargeable income over €60,000 (2026). For a single person the first €12,000 is…
    • Historical Sites Lurdes Chapel overlooking the harbor and the nearby Ġgantija Temples (Xagħra). Ġgantija Archaeological Park, on the Xagħra plateau nearby, is the Neolithic temple site…
    • Internet Speed Fiber access widely available via GO or Melita, speeds up to 500-1000 Mbps GO advertises a 1,000 Mbps home fibre offer with six months free, and Plug and GO wireless…
    • Local Heritage Lace-making (bizzilla) and the traditional Luzzu fishing boats in the harbor. The last surviving dgħajsa tal-latini, the traditional Gozitan ferry boat, is exhibited at…
    • Main Train/Transit Hub Mġarr Ferry Terminal (connections to Ċirkewwa/Valletta) and the local bus terminus in… Mġarr Harbour, in the village, is the ferry terminal for Gozo Channel boats to Ċirkewwa…
    • Must-See Landmarks Għajnsielem Parish Church (Gothic Revival style) and Fort Chambray. Our Lady of Loreto parish church and Fort Chambray are in the village, and Mġarr Harbour…
    • National Parks Nearby Gozo is rural; the entire northwest coast (Dwejra) functions as a natural reserve. Malta has no park titled a national park. Dwejra, on the west coast of Gozo, has the…
    • Population 3,200 The locality, including Comino, had 3,523 usual residents at the census of 21 November…
    • Power 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type G (British style 3-pin) 230 V, 50 Hz, Type G (British three-pin) sockets.
    • Property Tax None (No annual property tax; only a one-time stamp duty). No annual tax on owning a home, and no wealth tax. Tax on property is charged when it is…
    • Property Transaction Tax 5% Stamp Duty (reduced to 2% for properties in Gozo until recent incentives). The buyer pays stamp duty of 5% on the higher of price or real value. The old Gozo rate of…
    • Public Transport Passes Tallinja Card (Personalized) offers free bus travel for residents; Explore Card for… A personalised tallinja card is €25 to register (adult, student or Gozo resident), then…
    • Regional Travel Gozo Channel Ferry (passenger €4.65 return) or Gozo Fast Ferry (to Valletta in 45 mins… Gozo Channel sails Mġarr to Ċirkewwa. An adult foot return is about €4.65, and children…
    • SIM Card Epic, GO, and Melita. A prepaid 10GB plan costs around €15-€20. GO, Epic and Melita. A GO eSIM can be set up in the GO app before arrival. Smart M is…
    • Studio Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. €3,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €128,000 for harbor view studios). NSO 2025 relative apartment price level for Għajnsielem and Comino is 70.06 (national…
    • Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. €2,400 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €96,000 in village outskirts). Same NSO 2025 level of 70.06 for Għajnsielem and Comino, and the same inland band of about…
    • Tap Water Safe to drink but has a heavy mineral taste; most residents use reverse osmosis filters or… Tap water meets EU safety standards but tastes salty, because most of it is desalinated…
    • Tax System Remittance-based for non-domiciles (only income remitted to Malta is taxed). People who are both domiciled and ordinarily resident are taxed on worldwide income…
    • Top Regional Airline Air Malta (operating as KM Malta Airlines). KM Malta Airlines, the flag carrier that replaced Air Malta, has its hub at Malta…
    • VAT 18% (Standard rate). 18% standard VAT. A reduced 7% applies to eligible accommodation, and 5% to electricity…

    fix pass after the batch check. Internet Speed (the six-months-free offer belongs to the fibre plan, and the page says nationwide only of the wireless one), Currency & Banking and Best Hospital (both now credit the travel guide for the bank-fee and hospital-phone facts). Pages re-opened: the GO internet and top-up pages, the fast-ferry fares, both travel-guide pages. Provenance moved to the current model and date.

Continue exploring Għajnsielem

Free views Sign up free