What are the main internet providers in Malta?

Malta has three full-service telecom providers: GO (the incumbent, with the widest true fibre-to-the-home network), Melita (a DOCSIS 3.1 cable network, strong on TV bundles and pricing), and Epic (formerly Vodafone Malta, the most expat-friendly with flexible contracts and the fastest mobile network).

Which is the best internet provider in Malta?

It depends on your priorities. GO is best for reliability and true fibre coverage (up to 10 Gbps), Melita for TV bundles and budget broadband, and Epic for flexibility: a 30-day trial, 1-year contract option, and award-winning mobile speed. For short-stay expats, Epic's flexibility usually wins.

Do I need ID to buy a SIM card in Malta?

Yes. A passport or EU photo ID is enough for a prepaid SIM. No proof of address or bank account is required, and you can be connected within minutes. Epic even runs a kiosk at Malta International Airport arrivals so you can buy one before leaving the airport.

Can I get an eSIM in Malta?

Yes. All three providers support eSIM. GO offers the most convenient remote activation through its app, Melita activates via QR code by email or in-store, and Epic currently requires an in-store visit. International eSIMs (Airalo, Holafly, Nomad) work as a data-only bridge but cost more per gigabyte.

How fast is the internet in Malta?

Home broadband typically runs 100–500 Mbps with gigabit available; GO offers up to 10 Gbps and Melita up to 2.5 Gbps. Mobile averages around 77–80 Mbps, and 5G reaches 200–400 Mbps in urban areas. Latency to EU servers is about 40–47 ms, with GO posting the lowest ping.

Is there fiber internet in Gozo?

Yes. GO's FTTH network passes every locality in Gozo (Victoria, Xlendi, Marsalforn, Għarb, Xagħra), and Melita's gigabit cable also covers the island. Gozo rents run roughly 40% below the Malta average with the same connectivity.

Can I get internet in Malta without a long contract?

Yes. The standard home contract is 24 months, but Epic offers a 12-month option and a 30-day risk-free trial. Epic's Instant Wi-Fi (plug-and-play 5G home internet) needs no installation or fixed term, and prepaid mobile data bundles carry no commitment at all.

How long does it take to install home internet in Malta?

If the building already has infrastructure, expect same-day to 3 days. New installations take 5–14 days, longer during the September–October peak. A prepaid SIM or Epic's Instant Wi-Fi makes a good bridge while you wait.

What documents do I need for home internet in Malta?

You'll need a passport or residence permit, your rental contract as proof of address, written landlord authorisation for the installation, and a bank card for direct debit. Postpaid mobile has similar requirements; prepaid needs only ID.

Does my Malta rental include WiFi?

Short-term furnished rentals often include WiFi; long-term leases usually don't. Always ask the landlord before signing whether there's an active connection and which provider serves the building; it can save you an installation wait.

Is Malta good for remote work and digital nomads?

Very. Malta has 100% nationwide gigabit-capable coverage and full 5G, so you can work from almost anywhere. Sliema, St Julian's and Gżira are the top hubs for coworking and connectivity, while St Paul's Bay, Mosta and Gozo offer the same broadband at lower rents.

Can I use my EU SIM card in Malta?

Yes. EU roaming rules mean your existing EU SIM works in Malta at home rates, and Maltese prepaid plans include EU roaming too. For a long stay, a local SIM is cheaper and gives you a Maltese number for deliveries, banking and verification.

GO vs Melita vs Epic: best Malta internet & mobile plans for expats in 2026

Major providers

100%

Fiber coverage

Nationwide

€5+

Prepaid SIM from

Note

Prices and plans change frequently. Always verify current offers on the provider websites before signing up. This guide was last updated in February 2026.

01The Three Providers: GO, Melita & Epic

Malta has three main telecom providers: GO, Melita, and Epic (formerly Vodafone Malta). All three are full-service providers offering mobile plans, home broadband, and bundled packages. Despite the compact market, competition is fierce, keeping prices reasonable and driving constant network upgrades.

GO

: The reliable infrastructure giant

GO (formerly Maltacom) is Malta's incumbent and owns most of the island's fibre. In May 2025 it declared Malta a “True Fibre Island” after a 13-year, €100m+ rollout passing 371,000+ homes across every locality in Malta and Gozo, 10,800 km of cable.

Strengths

True FTTH covering every locality
Speeds up to 10 Gbps residential
Best-rated customer service
~50% mobile market share
6+ retail stores on Malta, 1 on Gozo

Trade-offs

Slightly more expensive than competitors
Installation can take 3–7 days
24-month home contracts standard
ETF ~€200 (yr 1) / ~€100 (yr 2)

Melita

: The bundle & budget champion

Founded in 1988, Melita is Malta's original cable provider (now owned by Goldman Sachs Alternatives), with ~300,000 subscribers and around 30 stores plus 150+ dealers. It uses a DOCSIS 3.1 cable network (“fibre-powered”) delivering gigabit speeds (up to 2.5 Gbps), though upload speeds run lower than true fibre.

Strengths

Best TV and bundle packages
Most competitive pricing
Up to 2.5 Gbps download
Nationwide cable coverage incl. Gozo
30+ stores, 150+ dealers

Trade-offs

Mixed customer-service reputation
Patchier mobile coverage in rural areas
Lower upload speeds vs true fibre
ETF reported up to €300

Epic

: The expat-friendly disruptor

Epic was born when Monaco Telecom (Xavier Niel's NJJ Holdings) acquired Vodafone Malta in 2020 and rebranded in 2021, inheriting ~42% mobile share. It invested €20m in 5G and fibre and was named Malta's Fastest Mobile Network by Ookla across multiple 2024–2025 quarters.

Strengths

30-day risk-free home internet trial
1-year contract options (vs 24 months)
SIM kiosk at Malta Airport arrivals
Ookla fastest-network award
Plug-and-play 5G Instant Wi-Fi
eSIM & easy online signup

Trade-offs

Fewer physical stores (~20)
Digital-first customer support
No TV bundle options
FTTH via own + GO wholesale

02Quick Provider Comparison Table

Factor	GO	Melita	Epic
Best for	Reliability, fibre coverage	TV bundles, budget broadband	Flexibility, mobile speed
Home broadband tech	True FTTH	DOCSIS 3.1 cable	FTTH (own + GO wholesale)
Max residential speed	Up to 10 Gbps	Up to 2.5 Gbps	Up to 2 Gbps
4G coverage	99%+	~95%+	99%
5G	Urban zones	Nationwide (claims)	Nationwide (Ookla-awarded)
Contract flexibility	24-month standard	24-month standard	1-year option, 30-day trial
Customer service	Best rated	Mixed reviews	Digital-first, efficient
Retail presence	6+ stores + Gozo	30+ stores, 150+ dealers	~20 stores + airport kiosk

03Prepaid vs Postpaid: Which Should Expats Choose?

The practical answer: start with prepaid, switch to postpaid once settled. The documentation requirements differ significantly, and prepaid gives instant connectivity with zero commitment.

Prepaid: just a passport

Only need passport or EU photo ID
No proof of address required
No bank account needed
Buy at any store or airport kiosk
Working SIM in minutes
Starter packs €5–15, EU roaming included
SIM active for 365 days, zero commitment

Postpaid: better value, more docs

Passport or residence permit
Proof of address (rental contract)
Bank card for direct debit
Possible deposit (~€75 from Melita)
Better value per gigabyte, higher allowances
Unlimited options & 5G on premium plans
Best for stays over 3 months

Prepaid plans at a glance

GO: starter packs ~€10–15 with data + call credit; 28-day renewable bundles
Melita: “Pockit” prepaid in Small, Medium, Large tiers on 30-day cycles
Epic: VALUE (data + calls + texts), DATA (data only), TALK (calls/texts) from ~€5–10

Buy a SIM the moment you land

Epic operates a kiosk at Malta International Airport arrivals: buy a prepaid SIM and get connected before you leave the airport, passport in hand. For the others, there are stores in Valletta, Sliema, and most major towns.

04Fiber Internet Availability Across Malta & Gozo

Malta achieved something few European countries can claim: 100% nationwide gigabit-capable coverage. Per EU data, Malta is one of only a handful of member states with complete VHCN (Very High Capacity Network) coverage, far above the EU average of ~70%.

GO’s FTTH network now passes every locality in both Malta and Gozo, with 94% of its fixed-line customers already on fibre as of mid-2025. Valletta was the final locality connected; its UNESCO heritage status required nighttime installation work. Melita’s DOCSIS 3.1 cable is also gigabit-capable nationwide, and Epic’s own fibre footprint is growing alongside wholesale access to GO.

Coverage by area

Urban hubs: Sliema, St Julian's, Gżira, Birkirkara, Msida: excellent coverage from all three; modern apartments typically pre-wired for fibre.
Suburban towns: Mosta, Naxxar, Attard, Żejtun: well served by GO FTTH and Melita cable; Mosta was Epic's first own-fibre deployment.
Northern coast: St Paul's Bay, Mellieħa, Bugibba: full coverage; popular with expats and retirees at lower rents.
Southern towns: Marsaskala, Paola, Żurrieq: full coverage from GO and Melita.
Gozo: Victoria, Xlendi, Marsalforn, Għarb, Xagħra: fibre in every locality; rents ~40% lower than Malta with the same connectivity.

WiFi in older buildings

The main connectivity pain point is building age, not geography. Older limestone buildings with thick walls weaken WiFi signals. Both GO (Smart Wi-Fi) and Melita (StellarWiFi) offer mesh systems, a worthwhile add-on for a traditional townhouse or older apartment. All fixed broadband comes with unlimited data and no download caps.

05Where Malta's 5G Rollout Stands

Malta has 100% basic 5G household coverage per the EU’s 2024 Digital Decade Country Report, placing it alongside Denmark and the Netherlands at the top of European 5G deployment. All three operators offer 5G at no extra cost on premium and unlimited mobile plans.

Where each operator stands

Melita: first to deploy 5G (with Ericsson); claims complete nationwide coverage across Malta and Gozo
Epic: completed a €40m network modernization; up to 1,500 Mbps; Ookla Fastest Network winner
GO: 5G in key urban zones with 99%+ population coverage across combined 4G/5G

In practice, 5G is strongest in dense urban areas (Valletta, Sliema, St Julian’s, Gżira, Birkirkara), with real-world speeds typically 200–400 Mbps.

Epic Instant Wi-Fi: 5G home internet

Epic’s Instant Wi-Fi is a 5G-based home internet solution that is completely plug-and-play: no installation, no wiring, no waiting. For expats who want fast home internet without a long contract or a fibre install wait, it’s an excellent bridge.

06eSIM Options for Expats

All three Maltese providers now support eSIM, making it easy to get connected without a physical SIM, especially useful on dual-SIM phones where you want to keep your home number active.

Local provider eSIM

GO is the most convenient: the GO app enables instant remote eSIM setup with a new number, no store visit; also via live chat or in-store
Melita: supported since 2020 for Pockit prepaid and Endless postpaid; QR by email or in-store; prepaid eSIM signup online with passport scan
Epic: eSIM-first approach but currently requires an in-store visit for your QR code

International eSIM services (bridge solution)

Airalo: most popular; connects primarily to GO's network
Holafly: unlimited data plans connecting to GO and Melita
Nomad: regional Europe packages via Epic, GO, and Melita

The catch with international eSIMs

International eSIMs are data-only (no local Malta phone number) and more expensive per gigabyte than local prepaid plans for stays beyond a few days. Great for arrival week; a local SIM wins after that.

07Contract Terms & Flexibility for Short-Stay Expats

The standard home internet contract is 24 months, a commitment that doesn’t align with many expat stays. Understanding your options and the true cost of flexibility is essential.

Provider	Standard term	Early termination fee	Flexibility options
GO	24 months	~€200 (yr 1) / ~€100 (yr 2)	Negotiate in-store
Melita	24 months	Up to €300 + equipment	Negotiate in-store
Epic	12 or 24 months	~€150 after 1st year	30-day trial, 1-yr option, Instant Wi-Fi

Smart strategies for expats

Negotiate in-store: explain your situation; providers can offer shorter terms not advertised online
Look for internet-included rentals, common in short-term furnished lets, less so in long-term leases
Transfer contracts, a growing practice: expats hand existing internet contracts to incoming tenants when they leave
Use Epic's Instant Wi-Fi as a bridge: 5G plug-and-play while you decide on a longer-term provider

08Best Areas for Remote Work & Reliable Internet

With complete nationwide coverage, you can work remotely from virtually anywhere in Malta. The differences come down to infrastructure age, coworking availability, and the expat ecosystem.

Top-tier neighbourhoods for digital professionals

Sliema: Most popular expat hub: modern apartments with good wiring, fibre from all providers, the highest concentration of coworking spaces, walkable waterfront.
St Julian's: iGaming and fintech district: flagship coworking at SOHO Office Space, business-grade connectivity at Portomaso.
Gżira: Between Valletta and Sliema: slightly more affordable rents with the same excellent connectivity and SOHO coworking.
Valletta: Completed fibre in 2025: Grand Central coworking with dual internet connections praised for video-call stability.

Strong alternatives at lower rents

St Paul's Bay & Bugibba: Full fibre and cable, noticeably lower rents, popular with expats and retirees.
Mosta: Where Epic first deployed its own fibre; award-winning 230 Works coworking space.
Marsaskala: Family-friendly, full coverage, fewer coworking options.
Gozo: Victoria, Xlendi, Marsalforn: fibre everywhere, rents ~40% lower, a growing coliving/coworking scene.

Speeds & reliability to expect

Home: 100–500 Mbps standard, gigabit available
Mobile: 77–80 Mbps average download
5G: 200–400 Mbps in urban areas
Latency: 40–47 ms to EU servers (GO lowest, ~42 ms)
Zoom, Teams and Meet all work great

Find a remote-work-ready rental

Modern apartments in Sliema, St Julian’s and Gżira typically come pre-wired for fibre. When browsing listings, check if internet is included and which provider serves the building. Browse rentals on MyRent.

09Setting Up Internet in Your Malta Rental

This is where the rental and telecom worlds intersect, and where many expats hit unexpected friction. Here’s a practical checklist.

1
Check before signing the lease
Ask the landlord whether the property has an active connection and which provider serves it. Short-term furnished rentals often include WiFi; long-term leases typically don't.
2
Gather your documents
You'll need: passport or residence permit, rental contract (proof of address), written landlord authorisation for installation, and a bank card for direct debit.
3
Choose your provider & plan
Visit a store or sign up online. Weigh contract length against your stay duration and whether you need a TV bundle. Epic's 30-day trial lets you test risk-free.
4
Wait for installation
Existing infrastructure: same-day to 3 days. New installations: 5–14 days, longer in the September–October peak. Use a prepaid SIM as your bridge internet.
5
Optimise your WiFi
In an older building with thick limestone walls, ask about mesh WiFi add-ons at installation. Use a wired Ethernet connection for your main workspace for maximum reliability.

Older buildings & copper wiring

If your rental has older copper wiring, ask the provider about upgrading to fibre at installation. GO’s copper switch-off is underway, and modern connections should be fibre or cable by default.

The smart expat strategy

Day 1: Buy a prepaid SIM at the airport or nearest store (passport only).
Week 1–2: Settle into your rental and test mobile coverage from each provider.
Week 2–4: Set up home internet, or use Epic Instant Wi-Fi as a bridge.
Month 3+: Consider switching to postpaid mobile for better value.

GO vs Melita vs Epic: best Malta internet & mobile plans for expats in 2026

01The Three Providers: GO, Melita & Epic

GO

Melita

Epic

02Quick Provider Comparison Table

03Prepaid vs Postpaid: Which Should Expats Choose?

Prepaid: just a passport

Postpaid: better value, more docs

Prepaid plans at a glance

04Fiber Internet Availability Across Malta & Gozo

Coverage by area

05Where Malta's 5G Rollout Stands

Where each operator stands

06eSIM Options for Expats

Local provider eSIM

International eSIM services (bridge solution)

07Contract Terms & Flexibility for Short-Stay Expats

Smart strategies for expats

08Best Areas for Remote Work & Reliable Internet

Top-tier neighbourhoods for digital professionals

Strong alternatives at lower rents

Speeds & reliability to expect

09Setting Up Internet in Your Malta Rental

10Useful Resources & Links

GO Malta

Melita

Epic Malta

Malta Communications Authority (MCA)

The smart expat strategy

Frequently asked questions