Should you rent furnished or unfurnished in Malta in 2026?

Furnished and partly furnished stock helps when you land before household goods, need a week of viewings, or your employer pays a relocation bridge: Temporary housing. Sliema, St Julian’s, Gżira, and Msida see plenty of fully furnished apartments aimed at newcomers with fridge, cooker, washing machine, sofa, and often AC included. Expect a clear premium over bare peers for the same floor area: Sliema cost of living and St Julian’s cost of living.

Demand a written inventory with photos at handover under Cap. 604. Note scratches before you sign. Confirm whether ARMS electricity, water, and internet sit inside the gross rent or arrive as separate lines: Rental contracts and deposits. Platforms that only issue holiday vouchers may not satisfy BOV or HSBC KYC: Open a bank account.

Truly empty long leases are rarer on the harbour corridor. Partly furnished units (white goods and AC only) sometimes cut the monthly line once you can wait for beds and sofas from local retailers or a container: Import household goods. Inland towns and Gozo can offer more flexible furniture deals if the commute still works: Where to live in Malta and How to rent a home.

Photograph every piece at handover. Deposit disputes often turn on missing chairs and stained mattresses, not on the walls alone. Refuse “reserve this furnished studio today” wires before viewing: Avoid rental scams.