Ultimate Guide to Working in Malta (2025/2026)

Economic Outlook

Malta’s economy continues to grow at a strong pace, with GDP projected to rise by 4.1% in 2025 after a solid 6.0% expansion in 2024. Growth is driven by domestic spending and strong performance in tourism, finance, and professional services.

For job seekers, this means a tight labour market and high demand for skilled talent. Unemployment remains low at 3.1%; therefore, Malta’s growth strategy actively depends on international professionals to fill key roles.

Why Expats Choose Malta

Malta offers more than just a strong economy, it delivers a rare mix of professional challenge and quality of life. With year-round sunshine and a culture built around the outdoors, stress relief is built into daily life. After work, it's easy to sail, swim or wander UNESCO sites, all within reach.

The island’s small size is a major plus. You can leave a meeting and be at the beach in 15 minutes. Many companies reflect this in their culture, offering flexible hours and respect for personal time.

For expats, the transition is smooth. English is an official language, and Malta’s active expat community makes it easy to settle in and feel at home.

Culture and Language

Maltese business culture mixes Mediterranean warmth with British formality. Punctuality and deadlines are taken seriously, but relationships matter just as much. Trust is key, and business often starts with small talk, about family, the weekend, or local news, before formal discussions begin.

Anglophones are in luck because English is an official language, along with Maltese. You can work entirely in English, but learning some Maltese like Bonġu (Good morning) or Grazzi (Thank you) shows respect and can help build deeper relationships. 

Work Permits and Visas (2025)

So, what paperwork do you need to live and work in the land of feasts, fireworks and fantastic bread (or hobż as we call it here)? Well, that depends where you're coming from…

Working in Malta as an EU, EEA, or Swiss Citizen

Citizens of the EU, EEA countries, and Switzerland can live and work in Malta without a visa or work permit, thanks to freedom of movement agreements.

If you plan to stay longer than 90 days, you’ll need to register with Identità (Malta’s identity management agency) and apply for an eResidence card. To complete the process, you’ll typically need to show proof of employment or that you can support yourself financially.

Post-Brexit Rules for UK Nationals Working in Malta

If you moved before 1 January 2021:
UK citizens who were legally living in Malta before this date are covered by the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement. To keep their residency and work rights, they must hold a biometric residence card.

If you arrived after 1 January 2021:
UK nationals are now treated as Third-Country Nationals (TCNs). You can stay in Malta for up to 90 days in any 180-day period for tourism. For work or long-term residence, you’ll need both a long-stay visa and a valid work permit, such as the Single Permit.

How Third-Country Nationals Can Work in Malta

If you're a non-EU, non-EEA, or non-Swiss national, the main route to working in Malta is the Single Permit. This combines both your work and residence authorisation in one document.

The process is employer-led, meaning that your future employer must handle the application. Here’s how it typically works:

1. Get a Job Offer
   First, you’ll need to secure a position with a company in Malta.
    
2. Application by Employer
   Your employer submits the Single Permit application to Identità, often while you’re still outside the Schengen Area.
    
3. Labour Market Test
   Jobsplus reviews the application to confirm no local or EU talent is available. Employers must show proof they advertised the job locally.
    
4. Approval & Visa
   If approved, you’ll receive an “Approval in Principle” letter. With that, you apply for a National (D) Visa through a Maltese embassy or consulate.

5. Arrival & Final Steps
   Once in Malta, you’ll need to submit biometric data to Identità. You can only start working once you receive your eResidence card or an official Interim Receipt.

Fast-Track Option for Skilled Roles

If you’re in a managerial or highly technical role with a salary of at least €30,000/year, you may qualify for the Key Employee Initiative (KEI), a fast-track option.

Special Residency Options and Work Rules in Malta

Nomad Residence Permit (Digital Nomad Visa)
This visa is for non-EU nationals who work remotely. To qualify, you must either work for a non-Maltese company, run your own business registered abroad, or freelance for foreign clients. There is a minimum income requirement and the permit lasts one year and can be renewed. Click here for the latest info.

Student and Tourist Work Rules

Students (TCNs)
International students on long-term courses (over 90 days) can work up to 20 hours per week during the term, and 40 hours per week during holidays, starting after the first three months of study.

Tourist Visa Holders
If you're in Malta on a short-stay Schengen (C) visa, you cannot work under any circumstances. A valid work permit is required before any employment can begin.

Labour Laws and Work Conditions in Malta

Malta’s labour laws offer strong protections for employees, setting clear standards around contracts, working hours, and leave, aligned with EU regulations.

Working Hours and Contracts

• Standard Hours: Full-time work is 40 hours per week. Employees are entitled to at least 11 consecutive hours of daily rest and one full day (24 hours) of rest per week.
   
• Probation Periods: The standard probation is six months, with one week’s notice required from either side. For higher-earning roles (twice the minimum wage or more), probation can extend to 12 months if agreed in writing.
   
• Notice Periods: After probation, notice periods increase based on how long you’ve been with the company.
   

Leave Entitlements

• Annual Leave for 2025: Full-time employees working a 40-hour week are entitled to 224 hours of paid leave (28 days total). This includes 192 base hours plus 32 hours to make up for public holidays falling on weekends. 
• Annual Leave for 2026: With three public holidays falling on a weekend, the total entitlement will be 216 hours (27 days total). 
• Sick Leave: Employees are entitled to 80 hours (2 working weeks) of paid sick leave per year, based on their sector’s Wage Regulation Order. A medical certificate is required.
• Maternity Leave: 18 weeks of maternity leave are available. The first 14 weeks are employer-paid, while the final 4 weeks are optional and covered by social security.
• Paternity Leave: Fathers or equivalent second parents are entitled to 10 working days of fully paid leave following the birth or adoption of a child.
• Other Leave Types: Additional paid leave includes 1 day for bereavement, 2 days for marriage, and time off for jury duty or work-related injuries.

Healthcare in Malta: What Foreign Workers Need to Know

Malta offers a high standard of healthcare through both public and private systems. 

Public Healthcare Access

Malta’s public healthcare system is tax-funded and free at the point of use for eligible residents. If you're a non-EU citizen working legally in Malta and paying social security, you’ll have access to public healthcare just like Maltese citizens.

Emergency care at public hospitals is available to anyone in Malta, regardless of residency or insurance status.

Private Health Insurance

For most non-EU nationals, private health insurance is mandatory. You must show proof of comprehensive coverage, including hospital care, to apply for a Single Permit or any long-term visa. Therefore, budgeting for at least one year of private health insurance is a necessary part of relocating.

Strategic Career Planning in Malta

Key Growth Sectors and In-Demand Roles

International professionals looking to work in Malta should focus on industries with strong, ongoing demand for talent:

• iGaming & Tech: Malta is a leading hub for online gaming, with high demand for developers, data analysts, and digital marketers.
   
• Financial Services & FinTech: Roles in compliance, accounting, fund administration, and blockchain are consistently in demand.
   
• Tourism & Hospitality: A cornerstone of Malta’s economy, offering steady opportunities in hotel management, customer service, and events.
   
• Professional Services: Legal, corporate, and consulting roles are growing steadily alongside international business expansion.
   

How to Navigate the Job Market

• Use Local Job Boards: Platforms like JobsinMalta.com are key for accessing open roles across industries.
   
• Network Actively: In Malta’s relationship-first business culture, networking is often the fastest path to a job. Build connections on LinkedIn and attend local events once you're on the ground.

Cost of Living

Malta remains an affordable place to live compared to many Western European cities, though prices have been rising. A single person can live comfortably on €1,500 to €2,000 per month, while a family of four would typically need around €3,100 to €4,000.  

• Rent: A one-bedroom apartment in a central area like Valletta or Sliema averages between €800 – €1,200 per month. A three-bedroom apartment in a similar location will be in the range of €1,200 – €1,800.  
• Utilities: Basic utilities (electricity, water, cooling) for a standard apartment cost around €90 – €100 per month. High-speed internet is approximately €30 – €35 monthly.   

Best Places to Live

• Sliema and St. Julian's: These neighbouring coastal towns are the commercial and entertainment heart of the island, popular with expats. They are lively, sought-after, and correspondingly more expensive. They offer a huge selection of shops, restaurants, and bars, with good transport links.  
• Valletta: The capital is a UNESCO World Heritage site, offering stunning Baroque architecture and a rich cultural scene. It's ideal for those who appreciate history and a sophisticated city atmosphere, with slightly lower property prices than Sliema.  
• Swieqi, Pembroke and Gzira: These are popular residential areas close to the main commercial hubs of Sliema and St. Julian's, offering a slightly quieter environment while still being conveniently located.  
• Northern Malta (Mellieħa, St. Paul’s Bay): These areas are popular for their beautiful beaches and more relaxed, resort-style living. They are particularly favoured by families and retirees, but be mindful of traffic during commutes to the central areas.  
• Southern Malta (Marsaskala, Marsaxlokk): These charming fishing villages offer a more traditional Maltese lifestyle and some of the most affordable accommodation on the island.  
• Gozo: For those who can work remotely or desire a truly peaceful environment, Malta's sister island offers a tranquil, rural escape with a slower pace of life and a strong sense of community.  

How to Get Started

If you're thinking about working in Malta, start with a short visit. Explore neighbourhoods, check commute times, and get a feel for where you'd actually want to live. It’s also smart to meet with a local recruitment agency like Konnekt, they can give you a realistic view of what’s available in your field and what salaries look like.

Jobs may take time to land, so plan for a buffer. Have enough savings to cover your expenses while you search.