Malta Introduces New Labour Migration Policy – Key Changes for Employers (Effective August 2025)

Malta’s labour landscape is set to change with the implementation of its new Labour Migration Policy, its implementation was initiated on the 1st of August 2025. Designed to address both current workforce shortages and long-term sustainability, the policy introduces a series of regulatory, administrative, and financial measures that will affect how employers employ third-country nationals (TCNs).

Whether you are a business owner, HR manager, or a sector-specific operator—such as in aviation, healthcare, or technology—this overview outlines the key changes that all employers should be aware of.

Key Changes Effective from 1 August 2025

1.       Vacancy Advertising Requirement

Employers must advertise job vacancies before submitting applications to hire TCNs:

Minimum of three weeks for general roles.
Minimum of two weeks for roles listed under the Key Employment Initiative (KEI), Specialist Employment Initiative (SEI), EU Blue Card, or Skilled Occupation List.

Adverts must be published within 2 months form the date of engagement with the company.

From October 2025, all advertisements must also appear on the Jobsplus portal.

Failure to comply with these advertising requirements will result in automatic rejection of the application.

2. Exemptions to Vacancy Advertising

Some roles and sectors are exempt from the advertising requirement. These include:

Healthcare and elderly care positions.
Student workers engaged in structured placements.
Applications recommended by regulatory bodies such as Malta Enterprise, Gaming Malta, and the Civil Aviation Directorate.

Employers in the aviation sector may benefit from this exemption when hiring foreign professionals, provided the application is endorsed by the Civil Aviation Directorate. This facilitates timely recruitment in a highly specialised industry.

3. Revised Fee Structure for Work and Residence Permits

The following application fees will apply:

Application Type
New Fee (€)
First-time Single Permit
600
Permit Renewal (per year)
150
Change of Employer
600
Change of Designation
300

Applicants in healthcare and elderly care will benefit from a reduced rate of €150 across all permit types.

4. Updated Salary Thresholds

To qualify under KEI or SEI schemes, applicants must meet the following salary criteria:

KEI: Minimum gross salary of €45,000 per annum.
SEI: Minimum gross salary of €30,000 per annum.

5. Grace Period Following Termination

TCNs whose employment is terminated will be granted:

A 30-day period to secure new employment.
An optional extension of an additional 30 days, subject to proof of financial self-sufficiency.
This measure aims to reduce administrative burden and support workforce retention.

6. Compliance and Penalties

Employers are now required to:

Submit employment engagement and termination forms within four working days.
Comply with disability employment quotas or contribute financially.
Non-compliance may result in:

Fines starting from €58.23.
Suspension of new TCN hiring rights.
Automatic failure of Labour Market Tests in cases of high staff turnover.

7. Salary Payment Requirements (Effective October 2025)

All salaries for TCNs must be paid through licensed financial institutions. Cash payments will no longer be permitted. Breaches of this requirement may result in application rejections and other penalties.

Conclusion

The new Labour Migration Policy represents a major shift in Malta’s employment and immigration framework. Employers across all sectors are encouraged to review internal procedures and ensure full compliance with the updated regulations.

For regulated sectors such as aviation, gaming, and healthcare, the policy introduces a more streamlined process—subject to validation from the respective authority.

Legal Support

Vaia Legal is actively advising clients on compliance strategies, exemption eligibility, and application support. Contact us on info@vaialegal.com for more information.