✨ Quick Summary
Residency, Identity & SSN Registration
The procedural initiation for any expat begins with the acquisition of a Social Security Number (SSN). The administrative landscape shifted in July 2025 toward an automated model intended to reduce bureaucratic friction for foreign workers.
Automated SSN Issuance
Under current regulations, employees holding a Maltese Residence Card ending in 'A' are not required to submit a separate application for an SSN. When an employer submits the Jobsplus Engagement Form to register a new hire, the system automatically transmits details to the Department of Social Security (DSS). If eligible, an SSN is generated and linked to the individual's identity record automatically.
Manual Application ProceduresEU nationals who choose not to apply for a Residence Card but are gainfully occupied must still use the manual application process through the servizz.gov portal or a physical hub.
| Expatriate Status | Required Documentation |
|---|---|
| EU National (Employed) | Scanned copy of work contract or proof of self-occupation |
| Non-EU National (Employed) | Signed work contract and Employment Licence (Work Permit) |
| Non-EU Spouse of EU/Maltese | Marriage certificate and confirmation of freedom of movement rights |
Once the SSN is issued, expats must update their banking details via the "mySocialSecurity" application, as Malta uses direct credit for benefit payments.
Employment & National Insurance Contributions
Malta’s social security is financed through Class 1 (employed) and Class 2 (self-occupied) contributions.
Class 1: The Employer-Employee Model
For most expats, contributions involve a tripartite funding model: the employee pays 10%, the employer pays 10%, and the State contributes 10%. For 2026, the maximum weekly contribution cap for employees born on or after January 1, 1962, has risen to €55.93.
Class 2: Self-Occupation and Passive Income
- Self-Occupied Persons: Individuals earning from a trade or profession. Contributions are generally 15% of the previous year's net income
- Self-Employed Persons: Those receiving passive income (rents, investments). These contributions cover pensions only, not short-term sickness or injury benefits.
Family & Children’s Support
Malta’s family policy includes grants and allowances that scale with income and household size.
Children’s Allowance and 2026 Updates
Eligibility depends on permit status. EU nationals are generally eligible from arrival, while TCNs on standard permits typically qualify after six months of employment.
Once you land at Malta International Airport (MLA), here are your immediate priorities:
- Income Assessment: Since 2025, eligibility is calculated after deducting both social security contributions and income tax.
- 2026 Rate Increases: Families with income below €30,000 receive a €250 annual increase per child, with an additional €167 for those below €23,000.
Child Birth and Adoption Bonuses
- First Born: €1,000.
- Second Born: €1,500.
- Third and Subsequent Born: €2,000.
Workplace Entitlements & Leave
Malta has modernized its leave regulations to align with the EU Work-Life Balance Directive.
Maternity and Paternity Leave
- Maternity Leave: 18 consecutive weeks. The first 14 weeks are paid by the employer at full wage; the final 4 weeks are paid by the government at the national minimum wage.
- Paternity Leave: 10 working days of fully paid leave, funded by the employer.
- Parental Bereavement Leave: A new benefit allowing employers to request a refund for leave granted to parents following the loss of a minor child.
- Miscarriage Special Leave: Available to the mother and her eligible spouse/partner, even if the mother is unemployed.
- Urgent Family Leave: As of April 2025, this increased to 32 hours per year for full-time employees.
Healthcare & Medical Assistance
Expats paying social security are entitled to free state healthcare. Short-term illness is managed via the "Blue Medical Certificate."
Sickness Benefits
The employer pays for the first three days of illness. Government benefits commence on the fourth day.
- 2026 Rates: €17.21 per day for single persons and €25.81 per day for married persons.
- Long-Term Sickness: If illness persists for 156 continuous days, the claim converts to Increased Sickness Benefit (ISB), paid at a rate similar to an invalidity pension.
Free Medical Aid (The Pink Form)
The Pink Form provides free certain medical services and prescriptions to those with financial constraints or chronic illnesses.
- 2026 Eligibility Update: Residents aged 65 or over who receive the Supplementary Allowance are now automatically eligible for the Pink Form without a separate means test.
Financial Assistance & Social Support
The ACLA is a non-taxable payment for low and middle-income households. In 2026, payments range from €200 to €1,500 per year, depending on family composition.
Unemployment Support
- EU Nationals: May claim benefit if they have a Maltese work record. They can "export" these benefits for up to three months while seeking work in another EU country.
- Third-Country Nationals: Generally ineligible for unemployment benefits, as residence permits are typically tied to a specific employer.
Retirement & Pension Portability
The statutory retirement age is gradually increasing to 65. In 2026, all state pensions will receive a mandatory increase of €10 per week.
Retirement Age by Birth Year
| Birth Year | Statutory Retirement Age | Early Retirement (Age 61) |
|---|---|---|
| 1952 - 1955 | 62 years old | 35 years of contributions |
| 1959 - 1961 | 64 years old | 35 years of contributions |
| 1962 - 1968 | 65 years old | 40 years of contributions |
| 1976 onwards | 65 years old | 42 years of contributions |
Pension Portability
Under EU coordination rules, contributions made in Malta are aggregated with those made in other member states. When an expat retires, Malta pays a pro-rata pension based on the years worked on the island.