Malta is a small Mediterranean island nation, but its response to the pandemic has been massive. After enforcing some of Europe’s most powerful restrictions, the country has now been able to open its borders and welcome travelers safely with one of the highest vaccination rates in the world.

Almost 81 percent of Maltese people are fully immunized. According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Malta and Portugal are the only two European countries with a vaccination rate of more than 80 percent across their whole population (including teenagers aged 12 to 17, who have been eligible to receive the vaccine since summer 2021). According to the ECDC director, this makes them two of the few regions likely to avoid a winter resurgence, and among the safest places to go in 2021. If visitors to Malta want to avoid a 14-day quarantine, they must get vaccinated themselves.

The government is eager to welcome back immunized international travelers, particularly those who want to take advantage of their company’s new remote work policy. Malta’s Nomad Residence Permit, which allows tourists to keep their existing employment in another country while living in Malta for up to a year, was launched in June 2021. (with the opportunity for renewal). Applicants must demonstrate that they can work remotely, for an employer, or offer freelance or consultancy services while earning at least €2,700 ($ 3,098.59) per month. Visitors to Malta can also take advantage of the tourism-boosting Free Independent Traveller (FIT) initiative, which allows participating hotels to offer up to €200 in incentives to customers who stay three days or longer.