Malta’s climate is typical of the Mediterranean - very sunny with a daily average of five to six hours sunshine in mid-winter to more than 12 hours in summer.  Winters are mild, with the occasional short chilly period.  Summers are hot, dry and very sunny and the extended summer period is usually from about late May to mid October.  Annual rainfall is low, averaging 578mm a year, and the length of the dry season in summer is longer than in neighboring Italy. The peak beach season can even last until mid- to late October. 

Malta joined the European Union in 2004 and signed the Lisbon Treaty in 2007. Malta achieved its independence on 21 September 1964 (Independence Day) after intense negotiations with the United Kingdom, led by Prime Minister George Borg Olivier. Under its 1964 constitution, Malta initially retained Queen Elizabeth II as Queen of Malta and thus Head of State, with a Governor-General exercising executive authority on her behalf. In 1971, the Malta Labour Party led by Dom Mintoff won the General Elections, resulting in Malta declaring itself a republic on 13 December 1974 (Republic Day) within the Commonwealth, with the President as head of state. A defence agreement signed soon after independence (and re-negotiated in 1972) expired on 31 March 1979.

Malta adopted a policy of neutrality in 1980. In 1989, Malta was the venue of a summit between US President George H.W. Bush and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, their first face-to-face encounter, which signaled the end of the Cold War.

On July 16, 1990, Malta, through its foreign minister, Guido de Marco, applied to join the European Union. After tough negotiations, a referendum was held on March 8, 2003, which resulted in a favourable vote. General Elections held on April 12, 2003, gave a clear mandate to the Prime Minister, Eddie Fenech Adami, to sign the Treaty of accession to the European Union on April 16, 2003 in Athens, Greece. Malta joined the European Union on May 1, 2004. Following the European Council of June 21–22, 2007, Malta joined the Eurozone on January 1, 2008.

The official languages are Maltese and English.  Maltese is a language of Semitic origin written in the Latin script.  Over the centuries, it has incorporated many words derived from English, Italian and French.

In Malta, driving is on the left.  There are speed limits of 64 kph on the open road and 40 kph in built- up areas. Comprehensive insurance is advisable. National or international driving licences accepted.

Malta is on Central European Time (CET), which is 1 hour ahead of GMT in winter and 2 hours ahead between the last Sunday in March and the last Sunday in October.  Malta is 6 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time (EST) in winter and 7 hours ahead between the last Sunday in March and the last Sunday in October.

Upon selecting a property, the buyer enters into a 'promise of sale' agreement with Aspen Ltd.  This is valid for three months unless otherwise stipulated.  At this point an amount equivalent to 1% stamp duty is paid by the buyer and held by the notary as well as a 10% deposit on the total purchasing price.

Within the three months or within the term agreed in the promise of sale, the buyer's notary will research the history of the site and validity of sale.  The notarial fees are at the client's expense.  Should a loan be required a bank's sanction letter will be required within one month of signing agreement - this letter confirms that the bank is willing to offer the loan to the client.  All bank charges are at client's expense.

Upon expiry of the promise of sale, both parties sign a public deed that will be duly registered by the notary in the public registry.  The balance due is also paid at this point, together with a further 4% stamp duty on the sale.