Sliema and St Julians are often the first places companies consider when searching for office space in Malta. For companies that depend heavily on employer branding, walkable amenities, nightlife, hotels and a prestigious address, they can still be the right choice. However, they also come with challenges:

• Higher rental rates
• Limited/expensive parking
• Heavy traffic at peak hours
• Strong competition for quality office space
• Higher total occupancy costs once service charges, fit-out and parking are included

For iGaming, fintech and payments businesses, the appeal is clear, however, as demand for high-quality office space remains stable around Malta’s most popular commercial areas, many companies are asking the same question: Sliema and St Julians seems too expensive for us, where should we look next?

Malta offers several strong alternatives. For companies in iGaming, fintech, payments, software, compliance, affiliate marketing and related sectors, the right office location does not always have to be in the most expensive area. In many cases, a nearby or more central area can offer better value, easier parking, larger office space and a more practical working environment.

Best Alternatives to Sliema and St Julians When Renting An Office Space in Malta

What to check before choosing an alternative location for your office space in Malta?

Choosing a cheaper office is not only about rent. Before moving away from Sliema and St Julians, companies should compare the full cost and practical impact of each location.

Key questions to ask include:

1. Will employees accept the commute?
   A cheaper office can become expensive if it hurts recruitment or retention.
2. Does the building support your technical needs?
   Check internet options, backup power, cooling, cabling, access control and server-room requirements.
3. Is the office suitable for hybrid work?
   Hybrid teams may need fewer desks but better meeting rooms, breakout areas and collaboration spaces.
4. Does the area fit your company culture?
   iGaming teams may prioritise lifestyle and amenities. Payments and fintech teams may prioritise professionalism, security and client access.
5. Where are your clients, business partners, even competitors are located?
   In some cases, casually meeting your main client during a lunch break or after work can contribute to business success. Make sure that moving elsewhere will not affect your relationships with your peers.

Below are the best office locations to consider when Sliema and St Julians no longer fit your budget.

1. Gzira: the closest alternative to Sliema when renting an office in Malta

For many companies, Gżira is the most natural alternative to Sliema. It’s just a few steps away from Sliema also close to St Julians, Ta Xbiex and Msida. This makes it attractive for companies that still want to be near the main eastern business hub but need to reduce rental costs or find more flexible office options.

Office in Gzira works especially well for:

• iGaming affiliates
• Fintech startups
• Payments support teams
• Software and product teams
• Marketing and performance teams
• Hybrid businesses that need a practical office but not necessarily a premium seafront address

Employees can still access the restaurants, cafés, transport links and lifestyle benefits of Sliema, while the company may find more cost-effective space. For iGaming and fintech firms, Gżira can be a smart compromise: close enough to the action, but often more realistic for growing teams.

Consider Office in Gżira if: you want to stay near Sliema and St Julians but need better price/sqm and more flexible office sizes.

2. Ta Xbiex: a strong office option for fintech and payments companies

Ta Xbiex is one of Malta’s quite underrated business locations, particularly for companies in fintech, payments, finance, compliance and professional services. It offers a more polished and quieter environment than some of the busier entertainment-led areas, while still being close to Sliema, Gżira, Msida. The marina setting also gives Ta Xbiex a professional feel that can work well for client meetings, board-level visits and international teams.

For payments and fintech companies, offices in Ta Xbiex can be especially attractive because it offers:

• A professional business image
• Good access to Sliema and Valletta
• A quieter working environment
• Office buildings suited to finance and advisory firms
• A strong balance between prestige and practicality

Ta Xbiex is not always the cheapest alternative, but it can offer better value than the most expensive parts of Sliema and St Julians while still maintaining a premium feel.

Consider Office in Ta Xbiex if: your business needs a professional address, client-friendly surroundings and proximity to Malta’s financial and commercial hubs.

3. Offices in Mriehel and the Central Business District (CBD): best for larger teams

For companies that need modern office space, parking and room to grow, Mriehel and the Central Business District are among the strongest alternatives. This area has become a serious option for businesses that need functionality over seafront prestige. It is particularly relevant for larger iGaming operators, payment institutions, fintech startups, software companies and corporate headquarters.

The main advantages renting an office in Mriehel are:

• Larger floorplates
• Modern office buildings
• Better parking options
• Central access from different parts of Malta
• Space for expansion
• More practical layouts for departments and team zones

For iGaming companies, Mriehel can work well when the office needs to support several departments under one roof: operations, customer support, compliance, VIP, HR, finance, tech and management. For payments and fintech companies, the area can provide the professional infrastructure needed for regulated operations, internal security, meeting rooms and long-term growth.

The trade-off is that Mriehel does not offer the same lifestyle feel as Sliema or St Julian’s. It is less walkable and less entertainment-focused. However, for companies prioritising space, parking and efficiency, that may be a worthwhile exchange.

Consider Office in Mriehel if: your team is growing, you need a modern office building, and parking or floorplate efficiency matters more than being on the seafront.

4. Office in Birkirkara: practical, central and cost-conscious

Renting an office in Birkirkara is a practical choice for companies that want a central Malta location without paying premium coastal rates. It is well connected to several parts of the island and can be suitable for companies with employees commuting from different areas. For businesses with hybrid teams, operational departments or back-office functions, Birkirkara can provide strong value.

It may be a good fit for:

• Customer support teams
• Operations teams
• Finance and admin departments
• Tech support
• Back-office payments teams
• Growing SMEs
• Companies that need larger space at a more manageable monthly rent

Birkirkara may not carry the same brand perception as Sliema and St Julians or Ta Xbiex, but it can be a sensible business decision. For many companies, especially those not relying on walk-in visibility or daily client meetings, practicality matters more than postcode prestige.

Consider Office in Birkirkara if: you need central access, more space and better value for operational or back-office teams.

5. Msida and Pieta: central access for hybrid and support teams

Offices in Msida and Pieta are worth considering for companies that want to stay central and connected while avoiding the highest rents in Malta’s most premium office areas. These locations can work well for fintech, payments and iGaming companies that operate hybrid models and do not need every employee in the office every day. They offer access to Sliema, Gżira, Ta’ Xbiex, Valletta and the wider central region.

These areas can be particularly suitable for:

• Admin teams
• Compliance support
• Finance operations
• Customer support
• Hybrid tech teams
• Smaller companies that need a central base

The key is to check the specific building, parking situation and surrounding amenities. Some offices will be much more suitable than others.

Consider Msida or Pietà if: you want a central location near Malta’s main business corridor but do not need a premium seafront office.

7. San Gwann: close to the premium area without premium exposure

Office in San Gwann is another practical option for companies that want to remain close to Sliema and St Julians without being directly inside the most expensive and congested areas. It can suit tech companies, product teams, small fintech firms, service providers and SMEs that want proximity to the eastern business corridor but do not require a seafront or entertainment-led setting.

For employees, San Gwann can be convenient because it sits near several residential and commercial areas. For employers, it may offer more realistic office options, depending on the size and specification required.

Consider Office in San Gwann if: you want to stay near Sliema and St Julians while improving practicality and potentially reducing rental pressure.

Which area is best for iGaming companies?

For iGaming companies, the best alternative depends on the type of operation.

A small affiliate, product or marketing team may prefer Gżira because it keeps the team close to Sliema and St Julian’s. A larger operator with multiple departments may be better suited to Mrieħel, where larger layouts and parking are more realistic. A support or back-office team may find better value in Birkirkara, Msida or Pietà.

Recommended options:

• Best close alternative: Gżira
• Best for larger teams: Mrieħel / Central Business District
• Best for operations: Birkirkara
• Best for hybrid teams: Msida or Pietà
• Best if brand image still matters: Ta’ Xbiex

Which area is best for fintech companies?

Fintech companies usually need to balance brand perception, compliance, access to talent and meeting space. They may not need the nightlife and lifestyle benefits of St Julian’s, but they still need a credible business environment.

Recommended options:

• Best professional alternative: Ta’ Xbiex
• Best for modern offices: Mrieħel
• Best for smaller teams near Sliema: Gżira
• Best for regulated or advisory firms: Valletta / Floriana
• Best for value-conscious scaling: Birkirkara

For fintech companies, Ta’ Xbiex and Mrieħel are often among the strongest choices. Ta’ Xbiex gives a polished, finance-friendly image, while Mrieħel offers more space and modern infrastructure.

Which area is best for payments companies?

Payments companies and related financial businesses often need a professional environment, secure infrastructure, meeting rooms and space for compliance, finance, risk, operations and customer support.

Recommended options:

• Best for professional image: Valletta
• Best for larger teams: Mriehel
• Best for cost-efficient operations: Mriehel
• Best near Sliema without paying Sliema prices: Gżira

For many payments companies, Mriehel can be the most practical long-term choice, especially when team size, parking and internal layout are important. Ta’ Xbiex is a strong option when the company wants a more client-facing or finance-oriented image.

If Sliema and St Julians are too expensive, do not start by looking for the cheapest office in Malta. Start by identifying what your company actually needs. For most iGaming, fintech and payments companies, the strongest alternatives are:

• Gzira if you want to stay close to Sliema and St Julian’s
• Ta Xbiex if you want a professional, finance-friendly address
• Mriehel / CBD if you need modern space, parking and room to grow
• Birkirkara if you want central value for operational teams
• Msida or Pieta if you need a practical central base

Sliema and St Julians will remain important business hubs, but they are not the only smart choices. For the right company, moving slightly outside the premium zone can reduce costs, improve daily operations and create a better long-term office strategy.

If you are comparing office locations in Malta, OfficeMarket.mt can help you shortlist available spaces based on your team size, budget, preferred location, parking needs and lease requirements.

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