My husband and I have retired to Malta and have been here for just over seven years. We had no problem getting our original ID cards. However, when we changed address a couple of years ago and went to the ID office in Valletta we were always given some excuse: they told us they were only seeing Africans; then they told us the whole thing would be scrapped due to the impending election.

No one told us about getting the medical self-entitlement form but we went to St Luke’s Hospital to obtain it. We then returned to Evans Building, in Valletta with everything, including the kitchen sink!

Our paperwork was checked at the front desk. I asked the girl and the man there whether we had everything in order. They assured me we would have our cards within four to eight weeks.

We waited and waited. I made several phone calls and when I eventually got through different people told me: oh, yes, your applications have been processed and you will get the cards by mail. Then I was told: no, you will receive a letter to come to collect the cards.

But we got all the paperwork back with a letter saying that our bank statement has to be in euros. We only have an English bank account and never needed a Maltese one because we get paid by our clients in sterling. We are self-sufficient and never sponged off the government.

I called my bank and they said they cannot send me a statement in euros. The whole situationis truly ridiculous.

Every time we spoke to someone at the office it was always a different story.

And don’t go there in the early morning; 10 to 10.30am is best.

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