If you're planning to move to Malta, consider the island of Gozo. Quieter than the main island, Gozo offers a unique environment that's worth exploring, especially if you're looking for a place to live and work. This article covers Gozo's job market, sectors open to foreign professionals, and local working conditions.
Gozo offers a pleasant living and working environmentÂ
Gozo is the second largest island in the Maltese archipelago, which consists of eight islands in total. Truly rural, Gozo is cherished for its natural beauty as well as its historical treasures, including the Ä gantija temples and Dwejra Bay (once home to the Azure Window).
Like any respectable island, Gozo boasts numerous seaside resorts, with Marsalforn and Xlendi Bay being the most popular. The island also holds a sort of record with no fewer than 46 churches, including the one in Xewkija, which can accommodate 3,000 people!
Gozo is a peaceful and serene island, with thousands of years of history to explore. It comprises 14 municipalities, with the capital, Victoria, also known as Rabat, being the largest. The population of Gozo is just over 39,000 inhabitants.
Living and working in Gozo offers you access to exceptional beaches, breathtaking diving sites, magnificent rural landscapes, and a rich cultural heritage. All this is complemented by traditional Mediterranean cuisine and a warm and hospitable population.
Gozo is particularly renowned and appreciated for its greener natural landscape compared to Malta, which it has managed to preserve over time despite growing interest from tourists and expatriates.
Seen from afar, Gozo appears deserted, except for a few small fishing or pleasure boats that can be spotted along the coast. The houses, built from limestone, are the same color as the rock and blend into the landscape.
Preserved and wild, the island of Gozo is dotted with pretty villages and traditional farms scattered across a mosaic of terraced fields, steep hills, and deep valleys. To the south, the Mediterranean is dominated by the cliffs of Ta' Ċenċ, from which you can reach the cove of Mġarr Ix-Xini and Xlendi Bay, and to the north, you'll find the honey-colored salt pans of Xwejni Bay.
Getting to Gozo
To get to Gozo, there is only one option: the ferry! You can take the ferry from two places in Malta: ÄŠirkewwa (at the very north of Malta) and Valletta (the capital).
Departing from the ÄŠirkewwa ferry terminal in Malta, the ferry operated by takes you to MÄ¡arr on the island of Gozo in just 25 minutes. However, note that it takes about 45 minutes by car and an hour and 25 minutes by bus to reach the ferry terminal from Valletta.
This is why fast ferries were launched in 2021, departing from Valletta. The service comprises two ferry companies currently operating. Thanks to this service, you can travel from Valletta to MÄ¡arr in Gozo in just under 45 minutes.
Visa and work permits you need to work in Gozo
Do you need a visa or permit to work in Gozo?
You may need a visa and work permit to work in Gozo, just as in the rest of the country.
If you are a citizen of a European Union country, a member of the European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland, you do not need a work permit to work in Malta. However, for stays longer than 3 months, you must apply for a residence permit, called eResidence card for Malta.
If you come from a third country, you need a work visa. All procedures are handled by the future Maltese employer.
The economy in Gozo
³Ò´Ç³ú´Ç'²õÌý±ð³¦´Ç²Ô´Ç³¾²âÌýprimarily relies on construction and real estate development. Agriculture, livestock, and fishing are other significant components of the local economy.
Nearly half of Gozo's land is used for agricultural purposes, particularly for growing fruits and vegetables (tomatoes, potatoes, citrus fruits, melons, watermelons, zucchini, and grapes for wine production). Less than a quarter of the land has been left in its natural state.
In recent years, Gozo has developed a project called . It aims to make Gozo more sustainable, focusing on ecology and agriculture. A Government Experimental Farm (GEF) has been established in Xewkija for research, development, and innovation.
Gozo has a long craft tradition. In the past, Gozitans depended on their skills for survival. Today, artisans continue to work in the craft centers of Gozo (notably the Ta' Dbieġi craft village). You can find various traditional arts and crafts: glassblowing, lace making, sculpture, ceramics, etc. One of the island's specialties is lace, and it is common to see people making lace items on the streets (bookmarks, doilies, etc.).
Tourism has more recently become one of the main job providers on the island. However, it has developed differently from that of its larger sister, Malta. Here, it is about rural tourism and agritourism. Tourists seek peace and serenity.
In Gozo, travelers are accommodated in renovated farmhouses dating from the 17th, 18th, or 19th centuries and wake up in the morning to the crowing of roosters. Yet, the vast majority of them stay only a day and return to Malta the same evening.
The labor market in Gozo
Working in Gozo means adapting to rural life, speaking English, unless you master Maltese, and accepting local wages. The minimum wage in Malta is 221.78 euros per week in 2025.
Even though the island is preserved to maintain its natural charm, it continues to develop, and the job market offers more opportunities.
The stunning nature and historical heritage of Gozo attract more and more tourists. However, the type of tourism developing in Gozo is somewhat different, with the sector focusing on agritourism (or agrotourism), rural tourism, and ecotourism. Sports activities are also developing, especially scuba diving. Qualified diving instructors come from abroad to work in Gozo and share their passion for the sea.
Despite this, Gozo is not the best destination if you are looking for an office job. For that, it is better to turn to the main island of Malta.
In summary, it may be more challenging to find a job in Gozo than in Malta. Therefore, make sure you have skills that match the needs of the local job market before moving to Gozo.
Job hunting in Gozo
Finding a job in Gozo is a bit more difficult than in Malta, given the lack of diversity in sectors.
If you want to work in tourism, you can contact companies directly to inquire about potential job openings, especially during the high tourist season. However, it is preferable to visit Gozo in person, as local businesses prefer direct contact with potential candidates.
Continue your job search in Malta by registering on and on the (for EU citizens). You can also seek assistance from the Gozo Chamber of Commerce, an official specialized organization.
JobsPlus is the national employment agency of Malta. It publishes numerous job offers throughout the year and also offers free courses for obtaining certifications as well as language courses! JobsPlus has an office in Gozo, located on Sir Arturo Mercieca Street, Victoria. You may need to make an appointment by phone (153, or international: +356 2125 5153) or by email (jobsplus@gov.mt).
Some websites post job offers for Gozo, but they are not numerous. Maltapark stands out, to the point that it is one of the most popular sites among the Maltese. Social media platforms like Facebook are also widely used by Gozitans. On Facebook, you will find numerous groups dedicated to job hunting in Malta and Gozo. Type keywords such as "jobs in Gozo" or "jobs in Malta" and you will find pages and groups where job offers are posted daily.
The local Maltese and Gozitan newspapers (printed and online) also publish job offers.
Given that Gozo is a very small island, being present on site allows you to quickly make contacts and communicate directly with potential employers, which is a plus.
Working conditions and salaries in Gozo
Maltese companies include a trial period that can last up to 1 year (although it is often shorter). This mode of operation also applies to Gozo. Employees work 40 hours a week and have 24 days of leave per year, plus 14 public holidays.
Internships are not the best option to get closer to the job market in Gozo, as companies are not required to pay interns, which may explain why internship offers in Malta are so numerous.
Salaries are slightly lower in Gozo than in Malta. In 2022, the average gross annual basic salary was around €19,500 in Gozo and about €20,700 in Malta (the main island).
Knowing that there are more job opportunities on the main Maltese island (Malta), some people choose to live in Gozo and work in Malta. This idea might seem appealing, as it would allow enjoying the best of both worlds: the excellent quality of life in Gozo and the flourishing economy of Malta.
In reality, this idea may not be the most relevant. Indeed, commuting between the two islands every day can be time-consuming and tiring. This may be surprising, given the size of the country. Malta is small, but it is the most densely populated country in the European Union, with about 1,721 inhabitants per square kilometer.
As mentioned earlier, it takes time to travel between Malta and Gozo by ferry, more time than commuting in some capitals and large cities like Paris or London. Some Gozitans who hold a job in Malta rent accommodation there for the week and take the ferry to return to Gozo for the weekend.
As a result, Gozo ferries tend to be crowded on Sunday evenings. The introduction of fast ferries between Valletta and Gozo has slightly improved the situation. However, the journey remains quite long, especially since car or bus trips to access the ferry add to the total time.
All this to say that if you want to live in Gozo, the ideal is to find a job in Gozo. To achieve this, take the time to study the job market before your arrival in Gozo.
The work culture in Gozo
In Gozo, the work culture is characterized by a slower pace, mirroring the island's laid-back lifestyle. Gozitans value family, traditions, and leisure time. As a foreigner, expect projects to take longer than elsewhere. You will sometimes need to be patient if you work in or with local businesses.
Trust and personal relationships are also crucial. Networking is informal, and collaborations often occur between people who know each other (or know someone in common).
The island of Gozo lacks a highly skilled workforce, a result of a brain drain to Malta and foreign countries.
Finally, expatriates may find the mindsets somewhat conservative in certain sectors.
Being an entrepreneur in Gozo
If you are considering working in Gozo, why not start your own business? As an expatriate, many opportunities are available to you on this beautiful island. Malta and Gozo are open for business and offer numerous incentives, in addition to a favorable tax system.
The real estate sector is booming in Gozo, so you can invest in real estate. Some expatriates open charming hotels in Gozo, in line with rural tourism. Sports enthusiasts open scuba diving centers, for example in Marsalforn, or organize tourist excursions in Gozo.
Other opportunities include personal services, co-living among expatriates, etc.
For more information on starting a business in Malta and Gozo, check out our article "Starting a Business in Malta".
Finally, you can also settle in Malta as a remote worker, freelancer, or digital nomad in Gozo. Although a rather rural destination, Gozo benefits from a good internet connection. Many jobs can be done with just a laptop in Gozo, for example, writer, web developer, web designer, and graphic designer, etc.
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We do our best to provide accurate and up to date information. However, if you have noticed any inaccuracies in this article, please let us know in the comments section below.
