Slobodan Rangelov, the Man Behind Serbian Network in Malta

Slobodan Rangelov is a name that resonates deeply within the Serbian community in Malta. A Bulgarian citizen originally from Pančevo, Serbia, arrived in Malta 11 years ago with nothing but determination and resilience. Like many newcomers, his journey began in the hospitality sector, working tirelessly to build a life from the ground up. Today, he is a respected figure and the co-founder of the Maltese Serbian Community, a business owner and humanitarian.

It is a true privilege to sit down with Slobodan and learn more about the personal experiences, professional drive, and unwavering commitment that continue to shape his journey and inspire those around him.

New Chapter in Malta

1.You came to Malta 11 years ago. What brought you here?

We had just renovated our house back home and were finally comfortable, but still felt something was missing. We wanted more opportunities for our children. A friend helped us settle in Malta, and we decided to take the leap.

2. What were those early days like?

Difficult. I was working as a waiter, my wife worked as a maid, and our youngest was just 18 months old. But I knew we weren’t here to stay in those roles forever. I told my employer once:

I’m here to grow.

3. How did your background prepare you for the reality of moving to Malta?

My background definitely played a big role. Growing up in Serbia, I faced challenges that taught me resilience. Moving to a foreign country wasn’t easy, but I was used to adapting. In Serbia, I worked in hospitality, learning how to communicate with people and solve problems. When I arrived in Malta, the language wasn’t too difficult, but dealing with local bureaucracy was a nightmare. Everything, from residence paperwork to renting a place, felt like an uphill battle for someone new. That experience stuck with me. I promised myself that if I ever got the chance, I’d help others avoid what I went through, and that’s what I’ve been doing ever since.

Building the Serbian Community

4. How did the idea for the Maltese Serbian Community come about?

It started as a small Facebook group, just a way for Serbs living in Malta to connect, share advice, and support each other. But it grew fast. The purpose of the existence of that group was the same as it is today, and it will be the same in the future, which is to HELP our people when they arrive in Malta. This means the first contact with the islands, the most important information about making papers for applications, finding a job, enrolling children in schools and everything that follows. Over time, we have grown into the largest group on Facebook that gathers people from the Balkans, and we are regularly joined by other nations, especially our native Maltese, who find workers for their companies on our page.Today, Serbian-Maltese Info Group counts more than 31,7K of followers and still growing.

6. Recently, you participated in a project that examined the role of Third-Country Nationals (TCNs) in Malta’s workforce. Can you share your findings with our audience?

Yes, I was invited to take part in a project that analyzed the involvement of TCNs in the redistribution of jobs in Malta. When you look at the data, it’s quite striking. In 2012, there were about 185,000 employees in Malta, and only 3% of them came from TCN countries. Fast forward to 2023, and the number of employees has grown to 310,000, with TCN workers now making up 22% of the workforce. However, there’s a catch, despite this increase, TCN workers earn, on average, 17% less than the national average salary of €22,054. This disparity becomes especially significant when we talk about family reunification. The state’s requirements for family reunification are tied to the national average salary, so it is becoming increasingly difficult for TCN workers to meet these criteria.

Helping 30 Children Gain Their Residence Rig

One of the most significant moments in Slobodan’s journey was his involvement in helping 30 third-country national children, back in 2019, whose family residence visas had been rejected. His persistence and dedication in this situation were key to ensuring these children were allowed to stay and attend school in Malta.

Slobodan shares:

All the children received the ‘famous’ blue paper, which enabled their parents to enroll them in school and allowed the families to remain united. Although some parents later encountered additional challenges and even took their cases to court, obtaining the blue paper had a decisive impact on their ability to stay in Malta.

Slobodan credits this victory to the understanding and cooperation from the staff at Identita Malta, who were also under significant pressure during this time. The success of this initiative brought recognition to Slobodan, earning him a feature in The Times of Malta, highlighting his tireless efforts to support the community.

Insurance & Advice for Expats

With many years of experience in the insurance industry and active collaboration with five major insurance houses in Malta, Slobodan is the ideal person to speak about the realities expats face when it comes to protecting their health and vehicles on the islands.

7. What challenges are you seeing when it comes to health insurance?

Since last September, insurance costs have increased due to the shift to a more comprehensive In-Out Patient Plan, now accepted by both Mater Dei and private hospitals. The main issue, in my view, is the pricing. Hospitals and insurance providers have different price lists, which leads to inconsistencies. For example, if a doctor’s visit costs €100, insurance should cover that full amount, not less. The state should step in to ensure prices are aligned.

8. Why do family members, especially children, need additional insurance in Malta in order to apply for Family Reunification?

I also wonder why is extra insurance required, especially when the parents’ policy already covers the child?! I understand the need for a separate policy for a spouse, but I don’t see the logic when it comes to children. In most countries, it’s standard practice for a child to be fully covered under the parents’ insurance. In any case, I’m constantly trying to find the best insurance options and am in regular contact with almost all insurance companies and brokers in Malta.

9. What are the current issues with car insurance for TCNs in Malta?

Over the years, this has changed a lot, but in general, it remains difficult to insure a vehicle. Even with an international driver’s licence, you often cannot buy or insure a car. Perhaps a solution for Malta, considering the growing number of vehicles on the road, would be to make it easier to insure the first car, while applying additional taxes on each subsequent vehicle. I believe this could help address road congestion and would also be more beneficial for the economy and the state budget, rather than restricting the purchase and insurance of vehicles based on licence type.

The Success of S&S Rangelov Family Business

Slobodan and his wife Svetlana run the family business S&S Rangelov, specializing in short-let rentals across Malta and Gozo. With properties in Sliema, Swieqi, and now in Qala, Gozo, they provide a warm welcome to the guests.

10. You’ve ventured into short-let rentals in Malta. How has the experience been so far?

My wife Svetlana and I have been in this business for some time. Somehow, we found ourselves in it, and we are lucky to have great associates. The apartment owners we work with are wonderful people, always full of understanding. We love meeting people from different nations, and we have had guests from all over the world stay at our properties. We do our best to make their stays as pleasant as possible. After managing properties in Sliema and Swieqi, we recently expanded with a property in Qala, Gozo. We are currently in the process of preparing the paperwork and hope to get a license for that apartment soon.

11. What advice would you give to someone thinking of investing in short-lets in Malta or Gozo?

Do not rush, first ask around, check the market, and only then make a decision. Don’t do that job because “everyone else is doing it”, but look at your possibilities and then invest, because like any other job, it requires a good organization.

Giving Back and Gratitude

Slobodan is a dedicated and community-focused individual who has made a significant impact during his 11 years in Malta. He has launched beautiful initiatives, including fundraising for L-Istrina, appearing on television for three consecutive years, and organizing the traditional Swimming for the Holy Cross event in San Pawl every January, when Serbians are celebrating an important religious fest.

Slobodan and his family are deeply grateful for the opportunity to live a fulfilling life in Malta, and all their future plans are rooted in this country. He will continue to prove that starting from zero doesn’t mean staying there. It means rising and lifting others along the way.

What we’ve learned from Slobodan’s journey?

Every small step can lead to something bigger.

Do You Have a Story to Tell?

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