Key Takeaways

  • EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals may work freely in Malta without a permit; non-EEA nationals require a Single Permit combining residence and work authorisation, issued by Identita (Identity Malta Agency).
  • Malta’s Key Employee Initiative (KEI) provides a fast-track two-to-three week processing pathway for senior executives, specialists, and highly skilled professionals earning above EUR 30,000/year.
  • Malta is a major European hub for online gaming, financial services, blockchain and crypto, and maritime — with English as the primary business language and a highly internationally oriented economy.

Malta is a small EU island state in the central Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily and north of Libya. Valletta is the capital; Sliema and St. Julian’s are the main commercial and hospitality centres. Malta joined the EU in 2004 and adopted the Euro in 2008. Despite a population of under 550,000, Malta has developed one of Europe’s most internationally oriented economies, with significant clusters in online gaming (iGaming), financial services, blockchain and cryptocurrency, maritime services, and tourism. Malta ranks highly for ease of doing business and quality of life. English is an official language and the dominant language of business, making Malta uniquely accessible among EU member states. Identita (the Identity Malta Agency) administers Single Permits and EU Blue Cards for non-EEA nationals.

When Is a Work Visa Needed in Malta?

EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals may work freely in Malta and need only register their residence at a local council if staying for more than three months. Non-EEA nationals require a Single Permit before commencing work. The requirement applies to:

  • Non-EEA nationals employed by Malta-registered companies in any sector
  • Non-EEA intra-company transferees to Malta-based operations
  • Non-EEA highly skilled professionals applying under the EU Blue Card or KEI
  • Non-EEA technical specialists and consultants on assignments exceeding 90 days
  • Non-EEA iGaming, fintech, blockchain, and maritime sector professionals

Types of Malta Work Visas and Permits

Single Permit

The Single Permit combines residence and work authorisation in a single biometric card. It is issued by Identita and is employer-tied. The employer must confirm that the role cannot be filled by an EU/EEA/Swiss national. The Single Permit is valid for up to one year and is renewable. On expiry, the holder must apply for renewal before the card expires to maintain continuous authorisation.

EU Blue Card

For non-EEA nationals with a university degree of at least three years and a salary at or above 1.5 times the average gross annual salary in Malta (approximately EUR 25,000–30,000/year threshold). The EU Blue Card is issued for up to four years and provides enhanced EU mobility rights after 18 months.

Key Employee Initiative (KEI)

The KEI is Malta’s fast-track processing pathway for senior executives, managers, and highly skilled specialists. Eligibility requires a minimum salary of EUR 30,000/year (or EUR 25,000/year for positions requiring a recognised qualification). KEI processing takes two to three weeks — significantly faster than the standard Single Permit. The KEI is administered by Malta Enterprise and Identita jointly.

EU/EEA Freedom of Movement

EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals may work freely in Malta. They should register their residence at the local council (Kunsill Lokali) of their municipality and obtain an EU registration certificate from Identita if staying for more than three months. Income tax registration with the Inland Revenue is required from the first day of employment.

How to Apply for a Work Visa in Malta

1

Employer Submits Single Permit or KEI Application

The employer submits the application to Identita online via the Identita portal. For the KEI pathway, the application is submitted through Malta Enterprise’s KEI portal. Required documents: company registration (Malta Business Registry extract); signed employment contract specifying salary and role; the applicant’s educational qualifications and CV; valid passport; police clearance; proof of health insurance.

2

Labour Market Test (if required)

For the standard Single Permit, the employer may need to demonstrate that the vacancy was advertised in Malta and no EU/EEA/Swiss candidate was suitable (Labour Market Test via Jobsplus). This step is not required for the KEI pathway.

3

Identita Approves and Issues the Permit

Identita reviews the application and issues the Single Permit or EU Blue Card decision. For KEI applications, processing takes two to three weeks. The permit decision is notified to the employer and the applicant by email.

Identita reviews the application and issues the Single Permit or EU Blue Card decision. For KEI applications, processing takes two to three weeks. The permit decision is notified to the employer and the applicant by email.

4

Foreign National Obtains a National Visa (D) if Required

Non-EEA nationals who are not Schengen-visa-exempt must obtain a Maltese National Visa (D-Visa) from a Maltese diplomatic mission or consulate before travelling to Malta. Schengen-visa-exempt nationals may enter Malta directly and collect the Single Permit.

5

Collect the Single Permit Biometric Card

The applicant attends an Identita office in Malta to provide biometric data and collect the Single Permit biometric card. An appointment is booked through the Identita portal. Processing of the biometric card typically takes a few days after the appointment.

6

Register for Income Tax and Social Security (SSC)

The employer registers the foreign worker with the Commissioner for Revenue (income tax) and the Department of Social Security (SSC). Employer SSC contributions are approximately 10% of gross salary; employee contributions are approximately 10% of gross salary. All employees in Malta, including foreign nationals, must be enrolled.

Malta Work Permit Costs and Fees

Malta Single Permit fees are denominated in Euros (EUR):

Permit TypeCost
Single Permit (1 year)EUR 27.50 government fee (one of the lowest in the EU)
EU Blue Card (up to 4 years)EUR 100–280
KEI ApplicationEUR 280.50 (includes Malta Enterprise processing fee)
D-Visa (where required)EUR 60

SSC contributions are the main ongoing payroll cost (approximately 20% combined employer/employee). Professional service fees add EUR 400–1,200. Total first-year employer costs typically range from EUR 800 to EUR 2,500.

Malta Work Visa Sponsorship

Malta’s Single Permit is employer-tied. Changes of employer require a new application to Identita. Employers must notify Identita within 15 days if employment ends before the permit expires.

Employers must comply with the Employment and Industrial Relations Act (EIRA), SSC contribution requirements, and applicable minimum wage obligations. Malta has a range of sector-specific collective agreements, particularly in the iGaming and financial services sectors.

For international companies without a Malta entity, an EOR registered in Malta can act as the sponsoring employer, manage Single Permit and KEI applications, SSC contributions, payroll in EUR, and full EIRA compliance.

Work in Malta with Confidence

Malta’s KEI pathway, English-language environment, and EU membership make it one of the most accessible and strategically attractive markets in the Mediterranean for international talent deployment. The iGaming, fintech, and blockchain sectors consistently drive demand for non-EU specialists.

RemotePeople’s Mediterranean team provides Single Permit, KEI, and EOR services in Malta.

Frequently Asked Questions

The KEI is Malta's fast-track non-EU work permit pathway, processed jointly by Malta Enterprise and Identita in two to three weeks. Eligibility requires: a salary of at least EUR 30,000/year (or EUR 25,000/year for a position requiring a recognised professional qualification); and employment with a company that has undergone a KEI eligibility check with Malta Enterprise. The KEI is widely used by Malta's iGaming, fintech, and professional services sectors.

Malta was the first EU jurisdiction to regulate online gambling (2004) and one of the first to introduce a comprehensive blockchain and virtual financial assets framework (2018). The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) is one of Europe's most respected gaming regulators. These regulatory advantages, combined with English as an official language, EU passporting, and a favourable tax environment, have attracted hundreds of iGaming, crypto, and fintech companies, making Malta one of Europe's most concentrated hubs for these sectors.

Malta's Social Security Department (SSC) administers the mandatory national insurance scheme covering retirement, disability, unemployment, and healthcare. Both employers and employees contribute approximately 10% of gross salary each. Foreign workers who are EU nationals are covered by EU social security coordination rules. Non-EU workers build entitlements during their time in Malta.

Yes. After 18 months of holding a Malta-issued EU Blue Card and working in Malta, the holder may move to another EU Blue Card country with expedited processing — they do not need to restart the full immigration process. The new member state issues its own Blue Card.

Yes. An EOR registered in Malta can act as the sponsoring employer, submit Single Permit and KEI applications to Identita, manage SSC contributions, payroll in EUR, and full EIRA compliance on behalf of an international company without a Malta entity.

Relocate to Malta

RemotePeople provides EOR services in Malta and across the Mediterranean. We manage Single Permit and KEI applications, SSC registration, payroll in EUR, and full Maltese Employment and Industrial Relations Act compliance.

Contact RemotePeople to start hiring in Malta today.

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