Malta offers a streamlined process for obtaining work permits and residence visas for both EU and non-EU nationals. Read through our guide and discover all you need to know about securing the right permits to live and work in Malta, including requirements, procedures, and expert assistance.
Work permits and visas
Employment licenses (formerly known as work permits) are issued by the Directorate of Citizenship and Expatriates Affairs (DCEA). These are required in order to work in Malta legally and must be applied for by the job-seeker, not the employer. Employment licenses are necessary for any non-EU foreigner who wants to work in Malta. Those found working without a license face heavy fines if they are employers and deportation if they are employees.
Does an EU citizen need a work permit in Malta?
All EU citizens except for Croatia or member states of the European Economic Area (EEA) plus citizens of Switzerland do not require employment licenses to work in Malta, but they are recommended to contact the EURES advisors through their portal in order to see what requirements they must meet before entering the country to work. EU nationals and nationals of countries including Croatia, Switzerland, Norway and the US, do not require a visa for any stay of up to three months in Malta.
Non EU citizen
Non EU citizens must fulfil certain criteria before they can work in Malta. Malta offers the Single-Work Permit for third country nationals to reside and take up employment. This permit, which can be requested when the applicant is still abroad or upon arrival in Malta, continues to apply only while the applicant remains in employment here. The application for this permit has to be accompanied by a number of supporting documents which the applicant must provide for their application to be accepted by Jobsplus. This process may pose difficulties since it also requires proof of job candidate searches by the prospective employer. Regulations stipulate that this should include the placement of two adverts designed to attract Maltese/EEA/Swiss candidates to fill this post before an application by a non-EU worker can be considered. Individuals originating from other countries that require a visa prior to travelling to Malta may need to add up to 15 days to the waiting time for documents to be issued. Additionally, citizens of countries not forming part of the Schengen would require a Schengen visa to enter one of the countries within the area. We can advise on all aspects of working here and advise you on a solution that suits your needs.
How do I get a residence permit in Malta?
There are three types of permits in Malta, ordinary, permanent and temporary residence.
Ordinary residence in Malta necessitates individuals to physically live on the island for a period of six months or more. EU/EEA/Swiss citizens can apply as being economically self-sufficient by proving that they are financially stable or on the basis of employment if an individual works in Malta as an employee or is self-employed. EU/EEA/Swiss nationals and Non-EU nationals may accompany the main applicant provided that they prove that they are financially dependent on the latter. A student may also apply on the basis of education if they are studying in Malta. If the student is under-age, his/her legal guardian can apply for a residence permit to accompany him/her upon confirming that he/she has stable and regular income.
EU/EEA/Swiss nationals and their family members may apply for permanent residence after completing a continuous five-year period of legally living in Malta. Applicants must not have absented themselves from Malta for more than six months a year. Non-EU nationals may apply for a residence permit if they are going to be working in Malta or upon opening a business in Malta once certain criteria are satisfied. We can advise you on all aspects of this.
Non-EU nationals may apply for long-term residence if they have been legally living in Malta for five unbroken years. Applicants must not have absented themselves from Malta for more than six consecutive months in any given year of this five-year period and further must not have been away for more than a total of ten months throughout this five-year period.
Non-EU nationals may apply for a residence permit if they are going to be studying in Malta. If the student is underage, his/her legal guardian can apply for the permission to accompany him/her upon confirming that he/she has stable and regular income. Foreign partners of EU nationals may apply for residence in Malta provided that they confirm that they have a regular and stable income and that the relationship has existed for at least two years. Non-EU nationals who reside legally in Malta may apply for the reunification of their family members, namely the spouse being 21 years of age or over and minor unmarried children under the age of 18.
A temporary residence permit may be granted to Non-EU citizens to reside in Malta for more than three months on a case by case basis.
For more detailed information on work permits and visas, kindly contact our specialist advisers.