While Malta may be an attractive relocation idea for many expats due to the cultural heritage, the warm climate and the island lifestyle, it is also a popular destination for its extensive network of career opportunities. Various industries such as financial services and gaming are moving their operations in Malta, thus triggering an increasing demand for talented individuals from all over the world.
If you’re considering a move to Malta for work purposes, then you might need a legal work visa. Since Malta is part of the EU, citizens from other EU states can live and work in Malta without requiring any visa. However, most third-country nationals will require a permit to live and work in Malta.
Type of work permits in Malta
There are different types of work permits with different requirements for different purposes when moving to Malta for work.
EU/EEA/Swiss Citizens
This work permit applies to nationals of EU member states, EEA countries, and Switzerland. These individuals benefit from EU free movement rights and do not need a work permit to take up employment or self-employment in Malta. Swiss citizens are also covered by an agreement that allows them to live and work in Malta freely.
The primary requirements for this work permit are that you stay in Malta for longer than 3 months and must register a residence with Identity Malta.
Single Permit (Standard permit for non-EU nationals)
The Single Permit is the primary work authorisation for third-country nationals who have a job offer in Malta and will be employed longer than 6 months. This permit is a combined work and residence permit, enabling a non-EU national to live in Malta and work for a specific employer in a specific role.
EU Blue Card
This is a special work permit for highly qualified non-EU professionals. It applies to third-country nationals who have a higher professional qualification such as a university degree and a high-paying job offer in Malta meeting the EU Blue Card threshold.
The Blue Card is an EU-wide scheme (all EU countries except Denmark and Ireland participate) designed to attract top talent. In Malta, it is one option for skilled workers, alongside national schemes like the Key Employee Initiative.
Key Employee Initiative (KEI)
The Key Employee Initiative is a national fast-track scheme to issue work and residence permits for highly skilled non-EU workers in Malta. It is designed for third-country nationals who have a job offer in Malta for a managerial, executive, or highly technical post requiring specialized qualifications or experience.
Many roles in sectors like financial services, gaming, IT, and other knowledge-based industries utilize the KEI to bring in talent quickly. KEI is also open to innovative start-up founders or key employees endorsed by Malta Enterprise.
Specialist Employee Initiative (SEI)
This is another fast-track work permit route in Malta, introduced for skilled non-EU workers who do not fully meet the Key Employee criteria but still hold important skills or technical abilities. It’s aimed at third-country nationals with specialized vocational skills or lower managerial roles that might not pay €35k or be “executive” level yet are in demand.
Essentially, SEI is an alternative accelerated process under the Single Permit regulations for those with solid skills/training and a good job offer, bridging the gap between the normal process and the KEI.
Intra-Corporate Transferee Permit
The Intra-Corporate Transferee permit is for non-EU citizens who are already employed by a company abroad and are being temporarily seconded to a branch or subsidiary in Malta.
This applies to three categories of employees of a multinational company: managers, specialists, and trainee employees, who will work at the Maltese entity of the company group for a limited period. For example, a software engineer from a company’s Indian office transferred to the Malta office for a year as a specialist would use this permit.
Seasonal Work Permit
Seasonal Work Permits apply to non-EU nationals who wish to come to Malta to perform seasonal jobs, typically in industries like agriculture or tourism that have peak seasons.
A seasonal worker is a third-country national who retains their principal home abroad but lives in Malta temporarily to work in an activity dependent on the passing of seasons.
Short-term work authorisation
This category covers non-EU nationals who will work in Malta for a short period (less than six months) and do not fall under the “seasonal” definition. It’s essentially a temporary work authorisation for assignments or contracts for up to 6 months, which might include short projects, probationary periods, or non-seasonal short jobs.
Many times, companies may bring in a non-EU expert or worker for a few months to work and reside in Malta legally for that short duration.
Self-Employment Work Permit
This permit is intended for non-EU nationals who wish to work for themselves in Malta, rather than being employed by a company. It applies to those planning to open a business, work as a freelancer/consultant, or otherwise engage in self-run economic activity.
Nomad Residence Permit (for digital nomads)
The Nomad Residence Permit is targeted at remote workers and digital nomads from non-EU countries who wish to live in Malta while working remotely for an employer or business abroad. Launched in 2021, this permit is for third-country nationals who are employed or self-employed outside Malta (or freelance for overseas clients) and can perform their work independent of location.
It’s essentially a “digital nomad visa,” allowing people to enjoy Malta’s lifestyle without engaging in the local job market.
Long-term Residence Permit
This is not a “work permit” per se, but a status that many non-EU nationals can attain after several years of residing in Malta, granting them a long-term right to live and work in Malta without yearly renewals. It applies to third-country nationals who have legally and continuously resided in Malta for 5 years under valid residence permits.
Getting a Malta work visa
Let’s look at every step required to complete the usual process of obtaining a work visa in Malta. Certain details and steps might change overtime, we suggest checking with Identity Malta.
Step 1: Find a job in Malta, ideally before you move
Step 2: Your employer will need to apply for your permit, usually through the Single Permit Procedure.
Step 3: You’ll have to gather a set of supporting documents to be included in the permit application
Step 4: Your full application is submitted by your employer for assessment
Step 5: Once approved, you’ll be issued the necessary permit, which must be renewed annually
Step 6: You’ll then need to get any visa required to travel to Malta based on your nationality
What documents do you need to get a Maltese work permit?
There may be different requirements for different options, but these are usually some common documents you will need to get a Maltese work permit.
- Completed application form
- A recent passport size photo
- An official and certified copy of your passport
- A job description and a cover letter provided by your employer
- Proof of medical insurance
- Your C.V and qualification documents
Processing time
Standard work permits usually take a couple of months to be properly assessed, approved and issued. In some cases, this process may move faster if you work in a shortage industry, where there are fewer checks for the employer to carry out before employing a third-country national.
Applications made under the Key Employee Initiative could be quicker, processing in weeks rather than months.
Setting up your finances
If you’re an expat looking to move to Malta, opening a bank account is something you will have to think of. Among the many things on your relocating checklist, it’s important to be aware of the available banking solutions, and luckily, this is not a scarcity in Malta! There are several traditional banks in Malta such as Bank of Valletta and HSBC, that provide local bank accounts, debit and credit cards, lending and more. However, these typically require in-person visits, extensive documentation and very lengthy processes, which can be heavily time-consuming for expats, which may need a local bank account, prior to their visit in Malta.
This is where bank alternatives such as Moneybase provide a way faster and smoother solution to managing your finances. With Moneybase you can open your account, online in minutes and you’ll have a Maltese IBAN number, which will be used to receive your salary in Malta.
Why choose Moneybase?
Recently endorsed by Expats Malta, Moneybase stands out due to the all-rounded digital platform, allowing account opening in minutes with a unique Maltese IBAN, a gap constantly suffered by expats when seeking to open an account with certain traditional banks in Malta.
Moneybase comes with numerous benefits such as:
- Both app and web versions to manage your finances, from wherever you are
- Free SEPA bank transfers for receiving and sending payment across Europe
- Send money abroad to 189 countries, with the best foreign exchange rate
- The best currency exchange rates in Malta, with 24 currencies available, including GBP and USD
- Welcome bonuses, travel savings and cashback offers
- A free to order physical and virtual Moneybase Mastercard, which can be added for contactless payments on Apple Pay, Google Pay, Garmin Pay or Xiaomi Pay
- Access to global and local stocks, ETFs, bonds and funds, with one free trade per month and low-cost trading options
- Robust security measures to protect your finances, including card security to freeze, block, and toggle payment options
- ISO-certified customer support, available 7 days a week through in app live chat, over the phone or at one of our Calamatta Cuschieri Moneybase branches
Opening an account with Moneybase
The process is simple, quick, free and most importantly, fully digital! Download the Moneybase app, provide an identification document (passport or ID), proof of address, and a video to confirm your identity – all via the app itself, in just a few minutes.
Whether you’re already settled in Malta, or still looking to make the move, Moneybase is an efficient digital alternative to traditional banks. For assistance, you can speak to our customer support through the in-app live chat, by calling us on +356 25 688 688, or simply visit any of the Calamatta Cuschieri Branches in Mosta, Birkirkara, Fgura and Sliema.
Moving to Malta – Cost of Living, Visa, Banking & More
Once you’ve secured your work visa for Malta, the next step is preparing for your move. Our detailed guide on Moving to Malta covers everything you need to know beyond the visa process – from understanding the cost of living and setting up a local bank account, to finding accommodation and adjusting to life in Malta. It’s the perfect next read to ensure a smooth transition.
Information on this blog may become outdated over time. Please conduct your own due diligence, as individual experiences may vary depending on factors such as nationality, current permits, and current location. Payment services are brought to you by Moneybase Limited (MB) C 87193 which is licensed by the MFSA to transact the business of a Financial Institution in terms of the Financial Institutions Act, Cap 376. All investment services are brought to you by Calamatta Cuschieri Investment Services Ltd (CCIS) C 13729 which is licensed by the MFSA to undertake investment services business under the Investment Services Act, Cap 370. Calamatta Cuschieri Investment Services Ltd is a member of the Maltese Investor Compensation Scheme (“Scheme”). Instruments entrusted with us are covered under the Scheme in line with the Investor Compensation Scheme Regulations (S.L. 370.09). The value of investments may go up as well as down and investors might not get back the original amount invested. MB and CCIS are both subsidiaries of the Calamatta Cuschieri Moneybase plc with their registered address situated at Level 0, Ewropa Business Centre, Dun Karm Street, Birkirkara, BKR 9034, Malta.
FAQs
To get a work visa to work in Malta, start by securing a job offer, then provide the required documentation to your employer so they apply for a Single Permit. Once approved, you’ll be issued the necessary work permits, which must be renewed on annual basis.
Work visa processing takes 4-8 weeks for standard permits, while fast-track schemes like KEI may be approved in 10-20 business days. You will also need to open a bank account in Malta.
After graduating, start by securing a job offer, then provide the required documentation to your employer so they apply for a Single Permit. Once approved, you’ll be issued the necessary work permits, which must be renewed on annual basis.
The Single Permit is the primary work authorisation for third-country nationals who have a job offer in Malta and will be employed longer than 6 months. This permit is a combined work and residence permit, enabling a non-EU national to live in Malta and work for a specific employer in a specific role. Certain employers will request a Maltese IBAN to deposite your salary, create your personal account in minutes.
The EU Blue Card is a special work permit for highly qualified non-EU professionals. It applies to third-country nationals who have a higher professional qualification such as a university degree and a high-paying job offer in Malta meeting the EU Blue Card threshold. The Blue Card is an EU-wide scheme (all EU countries except Denmark and Ireland participate) designed to attract top talent.
The Key Employee Initiative is a national fast-track scheme to issue work and residence permits for highly skilled non-EU workers in Malta. It is designed for third-country nationals who have a job offer in Malta for a managerial, executive, or highly technical post requiring specialised qualifications or experience.
SEI is another fast-track work permit route in Malta, introduced for skilled non-EU workers who do not fully meet the Key Employee criteria but still hold important skills or technical abilities. It’s aimed at third-country nationals with specialised vocational skills or lower managerial roles that might not pay €35k or be “executive” level but are still in demand.
