What is the Malta Work Permit?
Non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals generally need a Single Permit to work and live in Malta — a combined work and residence card administered by Identità (the Identity Malta Agency) and Jobsplus (the employment authority). The application is employer-led, filed through the Identità online portal.
For standard roles, Jobsplus runs a labour market test (the employer must show they tried to fill the vacancy with a Maltese or EU national first). Malta offers two fast-track tiers for skilled talent: the Specialist Employee Initiative (SEI) for specialist and technical roles (from €30,000), and the Key Employee Initiative (KEI) for managerial and highly technical posts (€45,000+, issued within 5 working days). The EU Blue Card is also available.
Malta is English-speaking and EU-based, with acute labour shortages in iGaming, FinTech, financial services and healthcare. First-time applicants must complete a mandatory pre-departure course before the employer can file.
Note: Information on this page is for guidance only and does not constitute immigration advice. Requirements change — verify current figures at the official government source before applying.
Do you qualify?
Malta's routes are tiered by role level and salary, and all require an employer-led application. First-time applicants must complete a mandatory pre-departure course before filing.
Standard Single Permit: any qualifying role at the Jobsplus sector wage, subject to a labour market test. SEI: a specialist or technical role needing relevant qualifications or experience, at least €30,000/year. KEI: a managerial or highly technical post, at least €45,000/year (from 1 August 2025), with qualifications recognised by MQRIC; the employer must advertise on Jobsplus or EURES for at least 2 weeks before a KEI application.
Recognised qualifications (verified via MQRIC where applicable), private health insurance with a minimum coverage of €100,000, and proof of suitable accommodation in Malta. All first-time TCN applicants must complete a government-registered pre-departure course and pass a live English interview within 42 days before the employer can file.
The 2026 salary requirements
Malta's thresholds rise with the tier, and higher salary and seniority unlock faster processing. SEI and KEI figures were updated on 1 August 2025 (KEI rose from €35,000 to €45,000). Figures are gross annual.
The EU Blue Card is also available at roughly €38,628/year (1.5× the NSO average, adjusted annually). Tax note: Malta's income tax is progressive (0–35%), but it offers a 15% flat rate for qualifying highly skilled workers in iGaming, financial services and aviation. English is an official language, removing the language barrier that affects most other EU destinations — consult a Maltese tax advisor on the highly qualified persons rules.
What you need to apply
The employer files the Single Permit application through the Identità online portal, selecting the tier (standard, SEI or KEI). First-time applicants must complete the pre-departure course before filing.
If you do not have any of the documents below, read the FAQs section for further guidance.
Application timeline
The timeline depends heavily on the tier and the mandatory pre-departure course. Budget 6–8 weeks upfront for the course before the employer can file, then add the tier-specific processing time.
Most common delay: the pre-departure course. First-time applicants cannot have their application filed until the course and English interview are complete — an addition many candidates don't anticipate. Start it as early as possible after accepting an offer.
Complete the mandatory government-registered pre-departure course (€250) covering Maltese employment law, rights and obligations, and pass the live 20-minute English interview. This must be done before the employer files.
Handled by: you
The employer files through the Identità portal in the appropriate tier. For KEI, the position must have been advertised on Jobsplus or EURES for at least 2 weeks.
Handled by: your employer
KEI: 5 working days. SEI: 15–30 days. Standard Single Permit: 4–8 weeks (digital reforms expected to cut this to 3–6 weeks in 2026). Identità verifies documents, qualifications and the contract.
Handled by: Identità
If you require an entry visa, apply at the Maltese (or representing) consulate, then travel to Malta.
Handled by: you
Collect your Single Permit card and complete residence registration, then begin work.
Handled by: you
Frequently asked questions
All three result in a Single Permit (combined work and residence); they differ by role level, salary and speed. The standard Single Permit covers any qualifying role at sector wages, with a labour market test, in 4–8 weeks. The SEI is for specialist/technical roles at €30,000+, processed in 15–30 days. The KEI is for managerial or highly technical posts at €45,000+, issued in just 5 working days. Higher salary and seniority unlock faster processing.
From 2026, all first-time third-country-national Single Permit applicants must complete a government-registered online course (€250) covering Maltese employment law, workers' rights and obligations, then pass a live 20-minute English interview — all within 42 days. The employer cannot file until this is done. It is unique to Malta among Workbeyond's destinations and adds 6–8 weeks to the timeline.
The Single Permit is tied to your employer, so changing employers requires a new application. Be aware of the 2026 termination-rate controls: if an employer terminates too many TCN workers, they are blocked from sponsoring new permits — which can also affect renewals. Confirm any prospective employer is in good standing with Jobsplus.
Yes. Family reunification is available for your spouse and dependent children once you meet income and accommodation requirements. Malta's English-speaking environment makes settling in easier for families than most EU destinations.
No. Malta has two official languages — Maltese and English — and English is used throughout business, government and daily life. This is Malta's single biggest advantage for our audience: no language barrier, unlike Italy, Spain, Germany or France. You must pass an English interview as part of the pre-departure course.
Malta has one of the EU's lowest unemployment rates (~3.2%) and acute shortages in iGaming, FinTech, financial services and healthcare. It is English-speaking, EU-based (giving access to EU long-term residence and mobility), has a Mediterranean climate, and offers favourable tax incentives — including a 15% flat rate for qualifying highly skilled workers in certain sectors. For skilled professionals in its shortage sectors, Malta is a genuinely accessible EU entry point.
You cannot apply for a Malta work permit without a job offer from a Maltese employer. Every job listed on Workbeyond is from employers who sponsor international talent to work in Malta. Use the filters to narrow by profession, city and seniority level to find roles that match your criteria.
Find visa-sponsored jobs in Malta
Every job listed on Workbeyond is from an employer who sponsors international workers. Malta's shortage sectors — iGaming, FinTech, financial services and healthcare — are where sponsorship is easiest to find. Use the filters to narrow by profession, city and seniority level.
Planning a move? See the Malta destination guide.