Currency of Malta
Euro (EUR)
The Capital of Malta
Valetta
Time Zone in Malta
GMT+1
Important Facts About the Country of Malta
Introduction to Malta
Officially the Republic of Malta, or ‘Repubblika Ta’Malta,’ Malta is a small island country in the central Mediterranean Sea. It is considered part of Southern Europe and is increasingly referred to as a city-state. Having been inhabited since approximately 5900 B.C., it has enjoyed strategic importance as a naval base. With a succession of powers having ruled the islands, most have left an imprint on the country’s culture. Malta has one of the highest population densities in the world but, despite this, the Maltese enjoy a high standard of living.
What to Know about Malta's Geography
Malta covers an area of an area of 316 sq. kilometers and its capital is Valletta, the smallest national capital in the European Union by area and population. The country consists of five islands: Malta (the largest), Gozo and Comino are inhabited while Cominotto and Filfla are uninhabited islands. It sits approximately 90 kilometers to the south of Sicily, 284 kilometers to the east of Tunisia and 333 kilometers to the north of Libya.
Climate in Malta
The Mediterranean climate provides hot and dry summers and cool rainy winters. The average annual temperature is approximately 23 °C during the day and 15.5 °C at night. January is typically the coldest month, with a temperature range from 12 to 18 °C during the day and 6 to 12 °C at night. August, the warmest month, has a temperature range of 28 to 34 °C during the day and 20 to 24 °C at night.
The Culture of Malta
Maltese culture is an amalgamation of various traditions brought to the islands by its various rulers throughout the centuries, from the Phoenicians and Romans to the Arabs and the British. Modern Maltese culture can be defined as being Latin European with influences from the British colonial period, while Arab influences are apparent in the Maltese language and diet.
Religions Observed in Malta
The Constitution of Malta provides for freedom of religion but establishes Roman Catholicism as the state religion. Approximately 98% of Maltese identify as Roman Catholics.
Languages Spoken in Malta
The official languages are Maltese and English, and 66% of the current Maltese population is at least conversational in the Italian language. Maltese is a a language of mixed Phoenician, Arabic, and Latin origin using the Latin alphabet.
Maltese Human Resources at a Glance
Employment Law Protections in Malta
Malta’s Employment & Industrial Relations Act (or EIRA, Act 22 of 2002) is a consolidated piece of legislation which replaces both the Conditions of Employment (Regulation) Act of 1952 (formerly CERA, now Title I of the new Act) and the Industrial Relations Act of 1976 (IRA, now Title II). The Act is divided in the following manner:
- Title I – Employment Relations
- Title II – Industrial Relations
- Title III – Supplementary Provisions
Malta’s Occupational Health and Safety Authority Act (OHSA) also plays an important part in Maltese employment law, ensuring the physical, psychological and social wellbeing of all workers in the workplace.
Employment Contracts in Malta
Employers should guarantee that employment-related information are supplied to employees in writing. The employment information may be transmitted on paper or electronically; in the latter case, evidence of transmission and reception must be maintained.
Employers must provide a new employee within 7 days of starting employment the essential terms prescribed by the applicable regulation, or in the case of an existing employee, upon the employee’s request to the employer.
Malta's Contract Terms
Where there are minimum conditions of employment established by law or regulation, only provisions that are more favorable to the employee are enforceable. If an employee signs a contract for less favourable conditions, it is not enforceable.
Basic terms such as the rates of pay, hours of work, place of work, overtime rates and leave entitlement must be included in the document. The contract must be issued to the employee within eight working days from the start of employment.
Pre-Employment Checks
Once personal data for the pre-employment vetting of the applicant is collected, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) comes into play. A prospective employer must prove a lawful basis or have consent from the candidate for processing personal data.
The employer is permitted to hire a third party to conduct background checks, as long as the applicant is informed of this practice.
Malta's Guidelines Regarding Probation Period/Trial Period
The probation period in Malta is six months but it can be extended up to one year for management and executive positions. However, the parties to the employment contract can agree to a shorter term.
During probation, either party can terminate the employment relationship at will without providing any reason. For an employee who has been in employment probation for more than one month, one week’s notice must be given.
Regulations and Rules Regarding Working Hours in Malta
The average, normal working week (excluding overtime) is a 40-hour week. Working time should not exceed a maximum of 48 hours a week, including overtime hours. Workers should have a minimum daily rest period of 11 consecutive hours.
The maximum weekly working hours of 48 hours is calculated as an average working time for each seven-day period over an average of 17 weeks. There is an exception for the manufacturing, tourism, travel and catering sectors, where maximum weekly working hours is calculated over a period of 52 weeks.
It is acceptable in Malta to have the employer and employee agree to a consolidated wage, which covers all working hours including overtime. This practice is common with senior or management level employees.
Maltese Laws Regarding Overtime
Overtime in excess of a 40-hour week is paid at a rate of one and a half times the normal wage, averaged over a four-week period. Overtime worked on Sundays is paid at a rate of two times the normal wage.
If an employee is pregnant, has just given birth or has adopted a child, the employee should not be asked to work overtime.
Rules Regarding Bonus and 13th Month Pay in Malta
All employees are entitled to a statutory bonus and a weekly allowance, each paid twice yearly as follows:
- Paid June 15 -30: €135.10 (covering the period January to June)
- Paid December 15-23: €135.10 (covering the period July to December)
- Paid on the last working day of March: €121.12 (covering the period October to March)
- Paid on the last working day of September: €121.12 (covering the period April to September)
These bonuses, which are taxable, must be paid along with the employee’s monthly or four-weekly wage.
Part-time employees are entitled to a pro-rated bonus according to the number of hours worked.
Employees may also receive as part of their remuneration a bonus that is guaranteed, discretionary or a combination of both.
Termination
If the parties to a fixed-term contract wishes to terminate the contract prior to the expiry date as stated on the employment contract, the terminating party must pay a penalty to the other party. This amount is equal to half the wages that the employee would have earned in the remaining period of employment.
Malta's Requirements Regarding Notice Periods
Termination of indefinite-term contracts can happen due to redundancy by the employer or through resignation by the employee. The party initiating the termination must give notice to the other party. A dismissal is permitted if there is a good and sufficient cause.
The notice period is based on the duration of continuous employment with the employer:
- 1 week: for employment between 1-6 months
- 2 weeks: for employees between 6 months – 2 years
- 4 weeks: for employment between 2-4 years
- 8 weeks: for employment between 4-7 years
- Up to a maximum of 12 weeks – for employment above 7 years (an additional week must be added for every year of service or part thereof)
If an employee under an indefinite-term contract fails to give notice, he or she will be liable to pay the employer a sum equal to half the wages that would have been payable according to the notice period.
Redundancy/Severance Pay in Malta
It is not mandatory to pay severance payments, other than the wages covering the relevant notice period. However, it is common practice for trade unions or individual employers to negotiate or offer severance payments in specific cases. A settlement agreement is sometimes signed, which outlines severance payments.
Post-Termination Restraints / Restrictive Covenants
Non-competition clauses applicable during the employment period are understood to be standard and generally enforceable.
Post-employment restrictive covenants, such as non-compete and non-solicitation clauses, are not regulated by Maltese law and employers are not obliged to provide compensation in return for including restrictive covenants in the employment relationship. However, compensation will help increase the chance of enforceability.
For restrictive covenants to be enforceable, they must be reasonable and limited in scope, particularly with regards to the duration and the geographical coverage.
Fixed Term Contracts for Maltese Employees
A fixed term contract can be renewed consecutively up to a maximum duration of 4 years. In Maltese law, the term “continuously employed” includes fixed-term contracts that are renewed within six months of their expiration and are included in the four-year period computation. Thereafter, the contract will be deemed to be for an indefinite term, unless the employer has justifiable reasons for continuing with a fixed term contract. If a fixed term contract has expired but the employee is still providing services to the employer, the employment relationship will also be considered to be under an indefinite contract, unless a new contract of service is issued within 12 days of expiry of the previous contract. The conditions of employment in a fixed term contract shall not be less favourable than that of an indefinite contract.
Data Protection
Data protection is principally regulated by the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act, Chapter 586 of the Laws of Malta.
Employers must ensure they are processing data in accordance with GDPR, namely:
- lawfulness, fairness and transparency
- purpose limitation
- data minimization
- accuracy
- storage limitation
- integrity and confidentiality
- accountability
Tax and Social Security Information for Employers in Malta
Employers and employees must make weekly social security contributions which are generally equivalent to 10% of the employee’s salary, up to a maximum of €49.97 per week (if born after 1962) and a maximum of €37.90 per week (if born up to 1961). However, the actual contribution will depend on the type of employment.
The employer must deduct the social security contribution in addition to the income tax deductions, at source, and make the payments monthly to the SSI and Commissioner of Tax.
Employees over the age of 65 years of age are exempt from the payment of Social Security Contributions. Weekly contributions change on a calendar year basis.
Individuals must submit tax returns annually by the end of June in the following calendar year. For married couples, one spouse must take responsibility for filing the joint tax return by registering as the taxpayer.
Personal Income Tax in Malta
The rates of tax for an individual are progressive rates with a range of 0% to 35%. A person who is resident in Malta for more than 183 days a year will be taxed in Malta on his or her income earned in Malta, as well as on any income earned overseas that is received in Malta.
A person who is domiciled in Malta must declare worldwide income, irrespective if received in Malta or not.
Married rates may apply to single and separated parents or widows and widowers under certain conditions.
Parent rates are applicable for individuals who have custody of a child or pay maintenance for their child and if:
- the child is below 18 years of age (or between 18 and 23 years of age if attending full-time education at a university or other educational establishment)
- the child is not gainfully employed and does not earn more than EUR 3,400 per annum
Single Rates
Chargeable Income (€) From | Chargeable Income (€) To | Rate (%) | Deduct (€) |
---|---|---|---|
0 | 9,100 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
9,101 | 14,500 | 15.0 | 1,365 |
14,501 | 19,500 | 25.0 | 2,815 |
19,501 | 60,000 | 25.0 | 2,725 |
>60,001 | 35.0 | 8,725 |
Married Rates
Chargeable Income (€) From | Chargeable Income (€) To | Rate (%) | Deduct (€) |
---|---|---|---|
0 | 12,700 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
12,701 | 21,200 | 15.0 | 1,905 |
21,201 | 28,700 | 25.0 | 4,025 |
28,701 | 60,000 | 25.0 | 3,905 |
>60,001 | 35.0 | 9,905 |
Parent Rates
Chargeable Income (€) From | Chargeable Income (€) To | Rate (%) | Deduct (€) |
---|---|---|---|
0 | 10,500 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
10,501 | 15,800 | 15.0 | 1,575 |
15,801 | 21,200 | 25.0 | 3,155 |
21,201 | 60,000 | 25.0 | 3,050 |
>60,001 | 35.0 | 9,050 |
Social Security in Malta
Social security contribution is referred to as ‘bolla’ in Maltese. ‘Bolla’ refers to the ‘stamp’ that used to be manually fixed to an individual’s book showing the number of contributions paid.
A social security contribution is also referred to as SSC or NI (abbreviated).
For employees the contribution paid is defined as Class I contribution.
Description of Class 1 Categories:
Category | Description |
---|---|
A | Persons under 18 years of age earning not more than the amount indicated below. |
B | Persons aged 18 years and above, earning not more than the amount indicated below. |
C | All persons whose basic weekly wage is between the amounts indicated below. |
D | All persons whose basic weekly wage is equal to or exceeds the amount indicated below. |
E | Students under 18 years of age. |
F | Students 18 years old and over. |
Category | Basic Weekly Wage From | Basic Weekly Wage To | Weekly Rate Payable by Employee | Basic Wage Payable by Employer | Total | Maternity Trust Fund by Employer |
A | 0.1 c | € 192.73 | € 6.62 | € 6.62 | € 13.24 | € 0.2 |
B | 0.1 c | € 192.73 | € 19.27 * | € 19.27 | € 38.54 | € 0.58 |
*Or if the employee chooses, 10% of the basic weekly wage. This rate of contribution entitles the contributor to pro-rata contributory benefits.
Persons born up to 31st December 1961
Category | Basic Weekly Wage From | Basic Weekly Wage To | Weekly Rate Payable by Employee | Basic Wage Payable by Employer | Total | Maternity Trust Fund by Employer |
C | € 192.74 | € 392.76 | 10% | 10% | N/A | 0.3% |
D | € 392.77 | N/A | € 39.28 | € 39.28 | € 78.56 | € 1.18 |
Persons born from 1st January 1962 onwards
Category | Basic Weekly Wage From | Basic Weekly Wage To | Weekly Rate Payable by Employee | Basic Wage Payable by Employer | Total | Maternity Trust Fund by Employer |
C | € 192.74 | € 515.98 | 10% | 10% | n/a | 0.3% |
D | € 515.99 | N/A | € 51.60 | € 51.60 | € 103.2 | € 1.55 |
E | N/A | N/A | 10% Max. € 4.38 | 10% Max. € 4.38 | N/A | 0.3% Max. € 0.13 |
F | N/A | N/A | 10% Max. € 7.94 | 10% Max. € 7.94 | N/A | 0.3% Max. € 0.24 |
*The contribution can be 10% of the basic weekly wage if the employee chooses. This rate of contribution entitles the contributor to pro-rata contributory benefits.
Important Information for Maltese Employees
Salary Payment
Wages should be paid at regular intervals not exceeding one month.
Payslip
Salary payments must come with payslips, according to the law, and must include the below information:
- name of the employer and the employee
- address of the employer
- employee’s designation
- breakdown of total wages paid
- the period for which payment is made
- number of normal hours worked (including overtime, work done on off day and holiday work)
- number of hours of annual leave used and the remaining balance
- bonuses, allowances or commissions received
- deductions including national insurance contributions and tax
Timesheets & Record Keeping
The retention of different categories of documents is governed by varying legislation and regulations. Personal information follows PSD regulations but details of employment status including name, ID and contact details must be retained for 10 years.
Annual Leave
In 2023, an employee with a 40-hour workweek will be eligible for 208 hours of paid vacation leave, which includes 192 hours of basic leave plus 16 hours in place of the two Public Holidays that fall on weekends.
Part-time employees are entitled to paid annual leave, pro-rated according to their total hours of work. The entitlement is also calculated proportionally for employees who have not completed a full year of service.
Sick Leave
Sick leave entitlement in Malta depends on the applicable wage regulation order, which is industry dependent. This is typically around two working weeks per year. A medical certificate must be submitted to the employer.
For the first three days of sick leave, salary must be paid in full by the employer. The remaining days are paid by the employer at the full salary, after the sickness benefit entitlement under the Social Security Act has been deducted.
Compassionate & Bereavement Leave
Each employee is entitled to one working day of bereavement leave, without loss of wages, on the occasion of the death of the spouse, parent, son, daughter, brother or sister of the employee.
Maternity & Parental Leave
A pregnant employee may take maternity leave for an uninterrupted period of 18 weeks. The first 14 weeks are paid by the employer and the remaining four weeks are paid by the Social Security Department if the employee has contributed at least one year of Social Security National Insurance. Otherwise, the remaining four weeks are unpaid.
A pregnant employee is entitled to paid time off to attend antenatal examinations, if such examinations must take place during work hours.
A pregnant employee should notify the employer in writing of the intended start date of maternity leave. It is recommended to give at least four weeks’ notice to the employer.
If a female employee does not resume work or resigns without cause within six months from the date of resuming work, she will be liable to pay the employer the sum equivalent received during the maternity leave.
Paternity Leave
Fathers will receive ten days of fully paid leave upon the birth of their child.
Parental Leave
Both male and female workers have the individual right to be granted unpaid parental leave in case of birth, adoption, fostering or legal custody of a child, to enable them to take care of that child for a period of four months until the child has reached the age of eight years. Parents are entitled to two months paid parental leave whilst also benefitting from another two months of unpaid leave, transferable from one parent to another.
Employers shall pay a maximum of 8 weeks/2 months of parental leave to their employees. The applicable payment rate is the Married rate established for the Sickness Benefit. The remaining parental leave is unpaid. When the employee returns to work, employers can apply for a refund from the Department of Social Security. The following refund claims should be made for each employee and child:
- 50% or 4 weeks of the entitlement paid up to when the child is 4 years old;
- 25% or 2 weeks of the entitlement paid up to when the child is between 5 and 6 years old;
- 25% or 2 weeks of the entitlement paid up to when the child is between 7 and 8 years old.
Parents have the right to request for flexible working arrangements for the first eight years of the child’s life through flexible working schedules, remote work arrangements or reduced working hours.
Adoption Leave
Natural or adoptive working parent of a child are entitled to three months of parental leave without pay, as long as the child is not older than 8 years of age.
Other Leave
Marriage Leave
Each employee is entitled to two working days’ marriage leave, which is leave to be granted without loss of wages on the occasion of the marriage of the employee.
Urgent Leave
An employer is bound to grant to every employee, both full and part-time, a minimum of 15 hours with pay per year as time off from work for urgent family reasons as specified in the respective regulations. The total number of hours availed of by the employee for urgent family reasons will be deducted from the annual leave entitlement of the employee.
Carer’s Leave
Each employee is entitled to five days of unpaid carers’ leave per year to take care of an ill family member or anyone living within the same household.
Public Holidays
Employees benefit from a total of 14 paid public and national holidays per year.
Benefits to the Employee in Malta
Maltese Statutory Benefits
The social security contribution paid provides the following benefits:
- Guaranteed retirement pension
- Invalidity pension
- Early survivor pension
- Survivor pension
- Unemployment benefit
- Sick leave benefit
- Bonus
Rules Regarding Visas and Foreign Workers in Malta
General Information
EU/EEA/Swiss nationals and their family members may take up employment in Malta by exercising their EU Treaty rights. There are currently no restrictions on EU/EEA/Swiss nationals’ access to working in Malta.
EU/EEA/Swiss nationals who are employed and working in Malta are required to register for tax and social security purposes. The employer is responsible for registering the employee with the revenue office for payroll purposes.
Non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals (Third Country Nationals) require an employment license to work in Malta. To apply for an employment license, an application must be submitted to the Department of Citizenship and Expatriates (DCEA) through a Single Permit Application (SPA). When the SPA has been approved, a Maltese residence permit will be issued to the Third Country National. This residence permit will allow the individual to legally work and reside in Malta, subject to certain conditions.
The residence permit is typically valid for one year and the processing time for an SPA is approximately 12 weeks from the date of application submission. Once the SPA is approved, the employer should register the employee with the revenue office for payroll purposes.
The following documents, together with the application fee, must be submitted:
- Detailed Curriculum Vitae: indicating education, work experience and previous employers
- Copies of employment references, education and professional certificates (and any other qualifications)
- Notarized copy of the applicant’s passport and a passport sized photograph
The SPA is tied to the specific occupation and employer. Should the Third Country National change employers or occupation, a new SPA must be submitted.
Other factors impacting the approval of employment license include:
- Labor Market Test: Employers must show effort has been made to hire EU/EEA/Swiss nationals before offering a position to a Third Country National.
- Malta Vacancy Exemption List: In some professions, it is not possible to hire a Third Country National and these include accountants, auditors, personal carers, IT consultants and vets.
- Key Employee Initiative Scheme (KEI): This is a fast-track application process, whereby SPAs are processed in around ten working days from submission. On first submission, a one-year residence is issued. On renewal, subject to the DCEA, the SPA may be issued with a residence permit for a three-year period. The KEI is exempt from the labor market test and is intended for individuals who hold a managerial or highly technical position requiring specific experience. The individual must also earn at least EUR 30,000/year.
Public Holidays Recognized by Malta in 2024
Occasion | Date | |
---|---|---|
1 | New Year’s Day | January 1 |
2 | Feast of Saint Paul’s Shipwreck | February 10 |
3 | Feast of Saint Joseph | March 19 |
4 | Good Friday | March 29 |
5 | Freedom Day | March 31 |
6 | Labor Day | May 1 |
7 | Sette Giugno | June 7 |
8 | Feast of Saints Peter and Paul | June 29 |
9 | Assumption of Mary | August 15 |
10 | Victory Day | September 8 |
11 | Independence Day | September 21 |
12 | Feast of the Immaculate Conception | December 8 |
13 | Republic Day | December 13 |
14 | Christmas Day | December 2 |
Hire New Talent in Malta
Our international hiring services let you hire anyone in any country without the investment needed to establish a local entity.