Malta Work Permit Applications

During these past couple of decades, it has become quite common for foreigners or foreign companies to relocate to a different jurisdiction for work. Article 11 of the Immigration Act holds that in order for persons to exercise a particular profession, occupation, hold an appointment or be employed by any person in Malta, such person must be granted a licence from the Minister. Obtaining an employment licence (or commonly referred to as a work permit) in Malta is employer specific, occupation-specific and location specific. It is essential that the relevant requisites are duly satisfied for the licence to be granted.

Obtaining a Malta Work Permit

As of 2018, Malta enjoys having the third lowest unemployment rate within the EU, where training and education are part of the national initiative, which is moreover normally backed by the EU. Whilst EU, EEA (European Economic Area) and Swiss residents, as well as their family members, are eligible to work in Malta without the need to acquire a permit, third-country nationals (TCNs) wishing to work in Malta must apply for an employment licence (also referred to as a single permit). The laws relating to the granting of work permits are mainly held in the Immigration Act. Legal Notice 160 of 2014 is also of significant importance as it regulates the single permit procedure, where TCNs apply for both employment and residence in Malta.

Before granting a Malta work permit to a TCN, Jobsplus, the public employment service in Malta, must be satisfied that the following requisites have been followed:

1. The applicant has secured an offer of employment from an employer in Malta, who must apply for the Employment Licence on behalf of the applicant
2. The applicant possesses a specialist skill or qualification of which there is a significant shortage in Malta
3. There must be a demand for employment in that particular field (for example, qualified nurses or construction workers).

As previously mentioned, Malta work permits for TCNs are employer and occupation specific. The work permit is first and foremost applied for by the employer on behalf of the TCN, and it must also specify the job that will be performed. Therefore, if the work permit is granted, it will permit the applicant to work for the specified employer, performing the job specified. This permit is considered to be a commitment between the employer and the TCN and therefore the applicant may not use the work permit to take up another job for a different employer.

The following documentation is required for the submission of a new work permit application and must be uploaded through the online application portal.

• The application form must be fully completed and signed
• A full copy of the applicant’s passport including the blank pages
• Work employment contract signed by both the applicant and employer.
• A position description signed by the Employer;
• Proof of an advertisement published with Jobsplus and on the EURES portal, for a minimum of three (3) weeks within the two (2) months prior to the submission of application.
• Comprehensive health-insurance policy with a minimum coverage limit of €100,000, providing medical treatment including outpatients and hospitalisation     coverage in Malta and, if necessary, in other European countries during the whole period of stay in Malta.
• Lease agreement or purchase agreement of property which makes clear reference to the applicant. If renting property, the applicant is required to present a     Housing Authority Approval letter and the Lease Agreement Professional Attestation Form. The termination date should be specified in the lease agreement.

• Health screening depending on the country of origin, particularly if it is classified as a high or very high-risk area for tuberculosis. Additionally, the type of job to be performed may also influence whether health screening is necessary.
• An application fee of €600 is required at the time of submission. The payment must be completed via the online platform.

• As  from January 2026, Malta has introduced a mandatory Pre-Departure Course  for all Non-EU nationals applying for a Work Permit. This course is designed to ensure minimum standards in job-related skills, English language proficiency, and cultural awareness, and must be successfully completed prior to relocation.

Upon its issuance, a Single Work Permit is typically valid for one year. It may be renewed if the request is justified.

Single permits typically take 2-3 months to be issued as the employers must prove, barring certain exceptions, that they have tried to fill the vacancy with individuals from Malta, or any other EU/EFTA country before applying for the permit for the TCN. Therefore, the employer must present copies of vacancy adverts and a covering letter from the employer stating the reasons for employing the TCN.

Other methods to obtain a Work Permit in Malta:

In 2009, the European Council adopted the EU Blue Card Scheme, which is a merit-based system for non-EU citizens who have received an adequate education or are skilled through their professional experience entailing them highly qualified individuals. Such a measure was introduced due to labour shortage in particular fields of study, including research, mathematics, informatics, natural sciences, technology, and medicine. Eligibility for this scheme is subject to:

• Proving that the MS in question has an economic interest which was scarce
• The Business offered will have a positive effect on the economy of the hosting state
• The individual holds the sufficient financial resources required for the operation of a business
• The Individual has successful business experience
• The employment is of impact and contributes to training, research, and innovation

Upon obtaining this Card, the individual will be exposed to: the same working and salary conditions as nationals; free movement within the Schengen area; socio-economic rights; favourable conditions for family reunification; permanent residence perspective and freedom of association.

Another scheme which may be used is the Key Employee Initiative which is a much faster method of obtaining a Malta work permit when compared to the Single Permit Procedure. This initiative issues a work/residence permit within 5 working days from the date of submission of the application. This scheme is pertinent to individuals occupying a managerial or highly-technical post. The following qualifications must be met:

• An Annual gross salary of at least €45,000 per annum;
• Certified copies of the relevant qualifications, warrants or the necessary work experience
• A declaration by the employer holding that the applicant has the necessary credentials to perform the duties which will be assigned to him

This initiative was endorsed by Malta Enterprise as a way of promoting start-up projects. Once a person has been granted a permit under this scheme, the permit will be valid for one year, which may be renewed later on. Renewal of the permit may be for a maximum of three years if there is a valid definite or indefinite contract and if the original annual tax declaration has been stamped by the Inland Revenue Department.

Investment or Establishment Work Permits

Work permits may also be issued on the basis of investment in Malta, where two main work permits are considered: the self-employed work permit and the work permit for a shareholder or ultimate beneficial owner of a company. TCN’s who wish to take up self-employment in Malta may do so under exceptional cases. In order to attain the self-employed status, the TCN must satisfy at least one of the following criteria:

• Invest Capital Expenditure in Malta of at least €500,000 within 6 months from the issuing of the Jobsplus license. This expenditure shall solely consist of fixed assets (such as immovable property or plant and machinery) and must be used for business purposes which are held in the business plan submitted upon application. The application must be accompanied with receipts in the name of the TCN as proof of the expenditure as well as a letter of reference in respect of the TCN from a reputable Maltese bank which certifies that the TCN has the facility to raise such capital.
• A highly skilled innovator with a sound business plan must also submit a commitment to recruit at least three Maltese/EEA/Swiss individuals within 18 months of its establishment.
• A person leading a project approved by Malta enterprise and formally notified by the latter to Jobsplus

In the case of shareholders or ultimate beneficial owners of a Maltese resident company, the individual must meet one of the following criteria in order to qualify for a relevant work-permit:

• Every TCN shareholder must have a fully paid-up share capital of at least €500,000 which cannot be redeemed, reduced or transferred to a third party during the first two years after the issuance of the Employment licence. This share capital must be carried out through a cash/stock injection in Malta.
• The individual must have made a capital expenditure of at least €500,000 to be used by the company. This expenditure shall solely consist of fixed assets used for business purposes, as should be reflected in the business plan. This expenditure must be supported through receipts in the Company’s name.
• The company is leading a project which has been formally approved by Malta Enterprise, which has also formally notified to Jobsplus.

At the application stage, a business plan must be submitted along with the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company for all the aforementioned scenarios. The individual must also present the Company Registration Certificate, which must hold that the company has been registered with the Malta Financial Services Authority.

Our Work Permit Services (For Employers, Company Executives & Managers)

Chetcuti Cauchi offers expert service to individuals who wish to live and work in Malta, helping them prepare any necessary documentation and submit them to the relevant authorities, as well as ensure that the necessary criteria have been satisfied. Our is well versed with the process of to Malta and will be of assistance during the process of attaining work permits for employees and the company itself. Our experts will be able to offer counsel and will work side by side with our taxation experts in order to provide our clients with any tax implication assistance. Our firm also offers services relating to job searches, employee recruitment, and any assistance if there are any job offers from an employer in Malta.

Looking for a Job?

Before applying for a work permit, you first need to have a job offer by employer in Malta.  

>> We do not provide job search and recruitment services.  <<