Working in Malta
Malta and Ireland are the only EU countries with English as an official language, which makes Malta attractive for Indian professionals in gaming, finance, tech, healthcare and hospitality. Its rules for hiring non-EU workers tightened in 2025, with higher salary bars for fast-track routes.
The short answer
| EU and Schengen | In both |
| Main routes | Single permit (work and residence), Key Employee Initiative, Specialist Employment Initiative, EU Blue Card |
| Fast-track salary thresholds | Key Employee Initiative: at least €45,000 gross a year. Specialist Employment Initiative: at least €30,000 gross a year |
| Language | English and Maltese are official |
| Who decides | Identità, the agency for residence and work permits |
What changed in 2025
Since 1 August 2025:
- Vacancy advertising: employers hiring a non-EU worker from abroad must advertise the job locally for at least three weeks first. For the Key Employee and Specialist routes, the EU Blue Card and skilled occupations, two weeks is enough.
- Exemptions: healthcare roles, care for older people and people with disabilities, and applications recommended by Malta Enterprise, Gaming Malta and certain other authorities.
- Fees: €600 for a first single permit and €150 a year for renewals, with reduced fees in health and care roles.
- Grace period: a worker whose job ends has 30 days to find a new employer, extendable by a further 30 days.
Where the opportunities are
- online gaming and digital services
- financial services and fintech
- nursing and care, which are exempt from the vacancy advertising rule
- hospitality and tourism
- aviation and maritime services
Good to know
- Working in English makes the move easier, but salaries are lower than in Northern Europe.
- Rents are high in the busiest areas, such as Sliema and St Julian's.
Quick answers
What salary do I need for Malta's Key Employee Initiative?
At least €45,000 gross a year. The Specialist Employment Initiative requires at least €30,000.
What changed for non-EU workers in Malta in 2025?
From 1 August 2025 employers must advertise most vacancies locally for three weeks before hiring from abroad, first single permits cost €600, and workers who lose their job have a 30-day grace period, extendable by 30 days.
