Moving to French Polynesia from Malta

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What to Expect

A comprehensive look at what changes when you move from Malta to French Polynesia — from daily expenses to quality of life.

If you moved from Malta to French Polynesia, and you’d need to navigate life in French. You’ll also switch from driving on the left to the right.

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Key Indicator Comparison

How Malta and French Polynesia stack up on safety, healthcare, jobs, and infrastructure.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2023

per 100,000 people per year

MT
0.6
PF
0.3

French Polynesia performs significantly better than Malta across all safety metrics.

What about the environment?

CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

MT
3.2t
PF
3.5t

Malta performs better than French Polynesia across all environment metrics.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

MT
43.0
PF
25.6

Malta performs better than French Polynesia across all infrastructure metrics.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

MT
3.1%
PF
11.7%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

MT
$57,200
PF
$18,600

Malta performs better than French Polynesia across all employment & economy metrics.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

MT
83.2 yrs
PF
78.4 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

MT
4.5
PF
4.4

Malta generally does better on family life, though French Polynesia leads in infant mortality.

Data: The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between Malta and French Polynesia. To live, work, or study long-term in French Polynesia, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check French Polynesia's immigration authority.

Malta passport

Malta passport holder visiting French Polynesia

Visa Free
Malta passport holders can enter French Polynesia without a visa.

Data: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from French Polynesia?

With 25.6 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people, French Polynesia can support video calls in major cities. The hard part is paperwork — visa category, employer policy on overseas staff, and tax residency in Malta and French Polynesia.

Is French Polynesia safe for expats?

French Polynesia performs significantly better than Malta across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in French Polynesia is 0.3 per 100,000 people, compared to 0.6 in Malta.

What language do they speak in French Polynesia?

The official language in French Polynesia is French. In Malta, the official languages are English and Maltese.

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At a Glance

MT PF
Population 464,186 299,356
Currency Euro (€) CFP Franc (CFPF)
Languages English, Maltese French
Driving side Left Right
Calling code +356 +689
Time zones 1 3
Emergency number 112