Malta is 30th best country for remote working - study
Malta is the 30th best country for remote work, according to new research by cybersecurity company NordLayer
by Paul Cocks
Malta is the 30th best country for remote work, according to new research by cybersecurity company NordLayer.
In 2022, the company created the Global Remote Work Index (GRWI), which reveals the best and worst countries to work remotely in terms of four different criteria: cyber safety, economic safety, digital and physical infrastructure, and social safety.
This year, NordLayer evaluated 108 countries compared to 66 last year.
The top 10 rated countries deemed best for remote work according to this year’s data are:
- Denmark
- The Netherlands
- Germany
- Spain
- Sweden
- Portugal
- Estonia
- Lithuania
- Ireland
- Slovakia
The index was compiled by assessing and comparing countries using four index dimensions. Under each dimension are various attributes (sub-dimensions) that, combined, help evaluate general remote-work attractiveness:
1. Cyber safety — infrastructure, response capacity, and legal measures.
2. Economic safety — tourism attractiveness, English language proficiency, cost of living, and healthcare.
3. Digital and physical infrastructure — internet quality and affordability, e-infrastructure, e-government, and physical infrastructure.
4. Social safety — personal rights, inclusiveness, and safety.
How does Malta rank?
Malta ranks in the top 30 of the GRWI; in particular, its English language proficiency (1st) and physical infrastructure (8th) make it an excellent remote work destination. While the high cost of living (77th) in Malta is an important factor to consider, it performs well in terms of inclusiveness (9th), tourism attractiveness (10th), and economic safety (10th).
Cyber safety-wise, Malta still has room for growth until it becomes a perfect work destination. It ranks 42nd in the global index overall. Personal rights-wise, Malta still needs a lot of growth, ranking 33rd in the global index overall.
How does Malta look compared to other countries in the region?
Compared to its neighbouring countries, Malta comes second (30th) after Italy (26th) in terms of general remote-work quality. Malta ranks higher than Greece, which is 32nd, and Cyprus, which is 35th.
Italy ranked higher because of its world-leading legal measures (2nd). It also has a much more attractive atmosphere for digital nomads because of its tourism attractiveness (3rd).
However, Malta ranked much higher than Italy in the physical infrastructure score (8th vs. 30th). Italy was also lower in inclusiveness ranking (9th vs. 12th) and internet quality (26th vs. 44th).
Unsurprisingly, all four countries (Malta, Italy, Greece, and Cyprus) ranked very highly in tourism attractiveness. However, Greece is sometimes a more appealing destination for nomads looking for cheaper remote work destinations as it has the lowest cost of living in the region (70th).
When it comes to the safety index, Cyprus leads in this category (25th), followed by Malta (41st), while Italy and Greece lag behind at the 52nd and 61st positions, respectively.
Practice good cybersecurity habits
“Even though some of the big tech companies recently brought their employees back to the office or introduced a hybrid work model, remote work is here to stay. It’s not just a trend — it is a fundamental shift in how we approach productivity and work-life balance. Embracing remote work empowers our teams to harness their full potential, regardless of geographical boundaries,” adds Donatas Tamelis, managing director at NordLayer.
For people interested in remote work, Tamelis recommends practicing several good cybersecurity practices:
Always use a virtual private network (VPN). A VPN encrypts your internet connection and helps protect your personal information from prying eyes. It is especially crucial when connecting to public Wi-Fi networks.
Also, ensure that all your devices, including smartphones, tablets, and laptops, have the latest software updates installed. These updates often include security patches that can help protect against known vulnerabilities.
Be cautious with public Wi-Fi and avoid accessing sensitive information such as online banking or entering passwords on public Wi-Fi networks unless you are using a VPN. Hackers can easily intercept data on unsecured networks.
Enable two-factor authentication whenever possible for your email accounts, social media profiles, and other online services you use while traveling. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of verification during login.
Use strong and unique passwords. Create strong passwords for each of your online accounts and avoid using the same password across multiple platforms. Consider using a password manager like NordPass to securely store and generate complex passwords.
“In the age of remote work, cybersecurity is not just an option. It's a critical necessity to safeguard our data and protect our organization from evolving cyber threats. Working remotely opens up new opportunities, but it also exposes us to potential security risks. Cybersecurity vigilance is our first line of defense,“ says Tamelis from NordLayer.
