What Language Is Spoken in St. Julian's? (2026)

Official Languages

Maltese, English

Updated July 2026 · Sources cited: en.wikipedia.org, maltafiesta.com

Overall10/10More English-friendly than about 95% of cities

St. Julian's is one of the most English-friendly areas in Malta; alongside Sliema and Valletta, English is essentially the first spoken language in public interactions.
You will never face a language barrier in St. Julian's for basic communication, shopping, dining, or using services—English is embedded in everyday life.
Malta is the only EU member state where English is an official language, making it uniquely accessible for English speakers seeking an EU-based destination.
Learning basic Maltese phrases enhances integration with locals and appreciation of local culture, though it is not necessary for residing or working in St. Julian's.
Code-switching (mixing Maltese and English) is common among locals; don't be surprised to hear both languages in casual conversation.
Educational institutions, including international schools and language schools, are abundant; lessons are primarily in English.
English is the main language of secondary and university education, government business, and international media consumed on the island.

Second official language; de facto language of business, education, and tourism

National language and first official language; majority speak as native language

Percentage Conversational: 88
Percentage With Basic Knowledge: 96
Note: One of the highest rates in the European Union; second only to Netherlands for conversational fluency

Expat Languages: Russian, Arabic, Romanian, and Serbian commonly heard in St. Julian's due to 25% foreign resident population
French Speakers: 17–20% speak French, taught as school language option
Italian Speakers: 66% of population understand Italian due to geographical proximity and historical ties

Education: International schools and language schools operate throughout the area, with instruction primarily in English
Everyday Use: English is the primary spoken language in most public interactions in St. Julian's; the town attracts significant international tourists and expats
Business And Services: English dominates in hotels, restaurants, shops, nightlife venues, and customer service throughout the town

Origin: Semitic language descended from Siculo-Arabic with heavy Italian, Sicilian, and English influences; only Semitic language written in Latin alphabet
Script: Latin alphabet with special characters (ż, ċ, ġ, għ, ħ, ie) unique to Maltese
Learning Necessity For Nomads: Not required for daily functioning as English speaker; learning Maltese enhances cultural integration and local community connection

Healthcare: Medical staff in tourist-heavy areas like St. Julian's are English-proficient
Transportation: Bus announcements and signage available in English; taxis and transport staff English-speaking
Daily Transactions: Shopping, dining, and casual interactions can be conducted entirely in English without language barrier
Banking Administration: Government services and banks operate bilingually; residents can interact with authorities in either language

AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026

These are the sources cited in this language & english friendliness research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.

More About St. Julian's

Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.