Laura and Callum Anderson, both 42, moved from Fife, Scotland, to Malta with their youngest daughter, cutting their energy bill from £1,100 a month to £85 and saving £1,251 a month overall.
The couple swapped their £1,600-a-month four-bed farmhouse in Fife for a three-bed penthouse in Malta at £2,500 per month, moving out in October 2026. Despite the higher rent, they save money because bills, petrol and other costs are cheaper, and there is no council tax in Malta.
High heating costs prompted the move
Laura, a business owner living in Naxxar, Malta, said the decision was driven by soaring costs in Scotland. "If we weren't living in Malta we would have had to move out of our house," she said.
"It was £690 per month just for oil, with electricity on top of that, wood on top of that, it was £1,100 just to heat the house and put the lights on. Electricity is £85 per month here. We basically wanted to move to Malta to enjoy life."
The family had previously lived in Malta between 2010 and 2013 after Callum, a recruitment consultant, received a full relocation package through his work. They returned to Fife to set up their own business, but after renewing their wedding vows in Malta in 2024, they decided to move back permanently.
Health and weather influenced the decision
Laura's health also played a role. She was diagnosed with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) in November 2023 and paid for private care after struggling to get help on the NHS. She said the "doom and gloom" of Scotland was not helping her mental health, so they made the "positive step" to move.
"I was paying a fortune in tax and in private medical insurance," she said. "It makes me feel resentful at my own country and I don't want to feel like that because I love Scotland."
The family flew out in October 2026 on digital nomad visas with their youngest daughter, Mia, 17. Their eldest daughter, Lucy, 20, remains in the UK to attend university but flew out to visit. Laura and Callum continue to run their business selling saunas remotely, with a team in Scotland handling day-to-day operations.
Lower costs and a new lifestyle
The family initially stayed in an Airbnb without a permanent home sorted, so they could view properties in person. Now settled in a three-bed penthouse, Laura says there is less "pressure to keep up with the Joneses" in Malta.
She compared costs: "Our car in Scotland was included on our insurance and it was £650 per month. We lived on a farm and I had to drive 20 minutes just to get to the shop. Fuel was £130 per week. Here, fuel is £33 every two weeks. It was £180 per month for Sky broadband and Wi-Fi. Here, Wi-Fi is £25."
Having paid £750 for their visas, the couple said they are "really happy" with the move. "Apart from missing our eldest daughter, we're not missing anything," Laura said. "We've deliberately chosen to live in an area with access to good walks for the dogs. Walking is one of the things that really helps my head so it's important I go out on those long walks."
Their monthly costs in Fife totalled £4,440, including rent, electricity, council tax, car, fuel, broadband and private healthcare. In Malta, their monthly costs total £3,189, covering rent, electricity, car and insurance, private medical insurance, fuel and Wi-Fi.
