Are you thinking of moving to Malta? Numerous residents are attracted to the tiny island state every year. These include freelance professionals who can work remotely as well as retirees from Northern Europe, with a good number of them from the UK. The attraction lies in the relatively relaxed way of living, affordable cost of living, as well as the country’s historical links to Britain.
Within this section you will find all you need to know about moving to this island steeped in history, surrounded by the deep, blue Mediterranean Sea and where the sun shines for the majority of days throughout the year.
The Expatriates Unit is involved in the legal migration process and caters for the processing and issuing of residence documentation. This involves the implementation of the provisions of national legislation with regards to the EU nationals’ freedom of movement and other regulations concerning third-country nationals residence documentation.
EU Nationals do not need a permit to reside and work in Malta.
The Free Movement of European Union Nationals and their Family Members Order 2007 which transposes the provisions of the European Union Council Directive 2004/38 of the European Parliament, and the Council of 29th April 2004 makes provisions for the implementation and administration of EU and EEA nationals’ right, in exercising their free movement.
Amendments were made to this Order by means of Legal Notice 329 of 2011 and Legal Notice 107 of 2012.
European Economic Area Nationals
European Economic Area (EEA) nationals have the right to reside in Malta when exercising their treaty rights as workers, self-employed persons, economically self-sufficient persons, family members, exempt or students. Such rights may be restricted on the grounds of public policy, public security, public health or if they become an unreasonable burden on Malta’s social assistance system.
Single Permit applications may only be submitted by the employer, in the capacity of the Maltese organisation entrusting the carrying out of specific employment to the non-EU national.
Live-in carers may apply directly, provided that the application is endorsed by the employer.
Employers may apply for a third-country national through the Single Permit Online Portal. Follow these guidelines to apply and gain access to the portal.
Once access is approved by Identità, the employer can log into the Single Permit Online Portal. Guidelines to submit and manage existing applications can be found here.
Once the employer submits an application, the third-country national receives a link to confirm the application and validate the data submitted. Once confirmation is submitted, the employer will receive a notification for the final submission of the application.
Final submissions may only be done if the payment has been submitted online, by either the employer or the third-country national.
Economic migrants coming from Non-EU countries may be eligible to apply through the Single Permit Application Procedure managed by Identita, which combines both the residence permit and the Employment Licence. This document is needed for these persons to access the labour market.
- Single Permit Application Procedure for Non-EU workers
Third Country Nationals need an Employment Licence (work permit) to be able to carry out any form of work in Malta. The type of permit that is needed depends on their status in Malta. The majority of Third Country Nationals who are in Malta / or wish to relocate to Malta for employment purposes need to apply for a Single Permit issued by Identita, which includes a combined residence and work permit.
Jobsplus is a stakeholder in this process and whenever an application is submitted through Identita’, this is referred to Jobsplus to conduct the necessary labour market tests and reviews from an employment perspective. Other stakeholders such as the Police Immigration Office are also involved in this process.
The first step in employing a TCN in Malta is to conduct a candidate search from within the Maltese and EU context. This search aims to ensure that no qualified candidate from Malta and/or the EU/EEA is available for the vacant position. Employers must advertise the job vacancy to comply with these requirements.
Once an application is submitted, you can check the status of your application with Identita. An application may take up to 4 months to be processed by Identita and all its stakeholders. It is illegal to employ the TCN prior to the issuance of the permit / approval. Only after the individual is in receipt of his/her Single permit you can register the employment with Jobsplus through the submission of an engagement form through the online portal.
- Single Permit Application Procedure for Non-EU workers applying under the Key Employee Initiative
Third Country Nationals need an Employment Licence (work permit) to be able to carry out any form of work in Malta. The type of permit that is needed depends on their status in Malta. The majority of Third Country Nationals who are in Malta or are in the process of relocating to Malta for employment purposes need to apply for a Single Permit issued by Identita, which includes a combined residence and work permit. Identita have a specific application process for third country nationals who are considered as Key Employees. The KEI (Key Employee Initiative) targets third country nationals who are highly paid (earning at least €35,000 per annum) and who will occupy managerial or technical positions.
- Single Permit Application Procedure for Non-EU workers applying under the Specialised Employee Initiative
Third Country Nationals need an Employment Licence (work permit) to be able to carry out any form of work in Malta. The type of permit that is needed depends on their status in Malta. The majority of Third Country Nationals who are in Malta / or wish to come in Malta for employment purposes need to apply for a Single Permit issued by Identita, which includes a combined residence and work permit. Identita have a specific application process for skilled third country nationals who will be applying for specialised positions. The SEI (Specialist Employee Initiative) targets third country nationals who are skilled individuals and will be earning at least €25,000 per annum. These individuals can apply if they occupy specific positions and are in possession of related qualifications (MQF level 6 or higher) and/or experience (MQF certification and three years of experience).
- Other Single Permit Application Procedures for Non-EU workers
Third Country Nationals need an Employment Licence (work permit) to be able to carry out any form of work in Malta. The type of permit that is needed depends on their status in Malta. The majority of Third Country Nationals who are in Malta / or wish to come in Malta for employment purposes need to apply for a Single Permit issued by Identita, which includes a combined residence and work permit.
Identita have specific application processes for other categories of Third Country nationals, such as:
- Applicants eligible for the EU Blue Card Directive, targeting highly skilled individuals;
- Seasonal workers eligible for the Seasonal Work Directive, targeting temporary workers in specific industries;
- Intra-Corporate Transferees for relocation of workers within the same group of companies.
Eligibility for any of these applications needs to be first verified and confirmed with Identita.
Third Country Nationals who are already residing in Malta and have been issued with a residence card, may also work in Malta if they are issued with an Employment Licence (work permit) issued by Jobspus. If the residence card is issued for a period exceeding 1 year, the TCN may retain that residence card and apply separately for an Employment Licence with Jobsplus if they wish to work in Malta.
The application form, along with any ancillary documents as specified in the respective checklist, needs to be submitted to Jobsplus. An Employment Licence may be issued up to the validity of the Residence Card issued by Identita.
Once an application is submitted, the status of the application may be checked by the employer by logging through the employers’ online portal, access the Manage Employment section and open the Employment Licences tab.
Once the Employment Licence has been issued, the employment of these individuals needs to be registered with Jobsplus through the submission of an engagement form through the online portal. It is the responsibility of the employer to ensure that these individuals are in possession of a valid Employment Licence. Should the third country national fail to renew his/her licence, their employment with the employer will have to be terminated.