Student Housing in Malta: Campus Hub, Private Rentals and Permit Rules

Fee figures: catalogue of 6 October 2026.

Malta is small, and demand for student and rental housing is high. The University of Malta (UM) tells newly admitted students to secure a place as soon as they receive an acceptance letter. Our catalogue lists no student residences owned by Malta's universities, so most students either book the privately run campus residence or rent a flat. This guide reflects official pages checked in October 2026.

Main options

Campus Hub Residence: next to the UM main campus in Msida. UM strongly encourages booking it and links to an instant booking engine. UM states that Campus Hub is run by a third party: UM is not associated with the owner or operator, and UM accepts no responsibility for incidents on the premises.
Shared apartments: usually the cheapest way to live near campus.
Living alone in a studio or flat.
Host families, which institutions such as the Institute of Tourism Studies (ITS) list as an option.

Other institutions have their own arrangements. ITS gives confirmed students lists of licensed accommodation providers and trusted rental agents, and recommends the villages of Luqa, Gudja and Kirkop for its airport-area campus. The American University of Malta publishes a housing form for its students.

What it costs

The UM International Office estimates monthly accommodation at €550 to €700 for a share of an apartment between two or three people, and €800 to €1,600 for living alone in a residence or apartment. These are estimates only. UM adds that utilities such as electricity and water are about €50 a month at basic use. See how much it costs to study in Malta for the full budget.

Why the lease matters for your permit

Non-EU students apply for a residence permit, and the accommodation papers are part of it (see student visa for Malta). For a private rental, Identità asks for:

a signed lease listing the full property address, rental period and the landlord's ID, plus proof of ownership if the landlord is a foreigner;
the Housing Authority approval, because private residential leases must be registered under the Private Residential Leases Act;
a Lease Agreement Attestation Form, signed by the landlord and stamped by a lawyer, notary or legal procurator.

If you live in university or school accommodation you give a Declaration of Accommodation instead, and the lease papers are not needed. UM warns that gathering the private-rental papers can delay your e-residence permit. When you renew at the same address, the landlord's declaration on the renewal form can replace a new attestation. Ask a landlord at the outset whether they will register the lease and sign the form, and refuse a flat where they will not.

Finding a flat safely

ITS suggests ESN Malta Housing, Visit Malta, Booking.com with a monthly-stay filter, HousingAnywhere, Just Landed and ShortLets Malta, and cautions that social marketplaces need extra checking.
Verify any listing independently and make no payment until you are sure it is real. ITS says its International Department can review a listing or help verify a landlord, and your own institution may offer the same.
If you stay at Campus Hub, the residence permit application needs a covering letter and a Keeper's Declaration Form instead of a lease, according to UM.

For general checks that apply anywhere, see finding student housing in Europe without being scammed.

Your address after arrival

Notify Identità whenever you change address while on a permit. UM's page on bank accounts says banks may ask for proof of address if your ID does not show it, and that Moneybase accepts a rental agreement in your name. See the University of Malta bank accounts page.

Where to look next

Official sources

Always check current information on the official website of the university before you apply.