Working in Malta as a TCN: Your Complete Guide to Permits, Costs, and Rights

If you are a non-EU national planning to work in Malta, understanding the Single Permit system is essential before you take any steps. Malta requires all Third-Country Nationals (TCNs), citizens of countries outside the EU, EEA, and Switzerland, to obtain a Single Permit before starting employment. This permit combines your work authorisation and residence permit into one document, tied to a specific employer.

The application process involves several Maltese authorities, mandatory documentation, health screening, and, as of March 2026, a compulsory Pre-Departure Course. This guide walks you through every stage clearly, so you can plan with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.

What Is a TCN and How Does Malta's Permit System Work?

Definition: Third-Country National (TCN) A Third-Country National is any individual who is not a citizen of an EU member state, an EEA country (Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Norway), or Switzerland. TCNs do not have an automatic right to live or work in Malta and must obtain legal authorisation before starting employment.

The cornerstone of TCN employment in Malta is the Single Permit - a unified document that serves simultaneously as a work licence and a residence permit. Regulated under Subsidiary Legislation 217.17, it transposes EU Directive 2011/98/EU into Maltese law and consolidates what was previously a two-stage process into a single administrative procedure.

There are a few critical features of the Single Permit every TCN must understand from the outset:

• It is employer-specific. The permit authorises you to work only for the named employer, in the specific role stated on your application. You cannot work for a different employer or in a different occupation without a separate application.

• It is location-specific. You are not permitted to carry out duties outside Maltese territory.

• Your residency depends on your employment. If your employment ends, the legal basis for your residence permit is directly affected. Understanding what happens next is covered later in this guide.

The permit is administered by Identità, Malta's national identity authority, in coordination with Jobsplus (the public employment service) and the Central Visa Unit.

Malta's 2025 Labour Migration Policy introduced significant changes to this system, shifting from a high-volume recruitment model to one focused on skills verification, long-term retention, and ethical employer practices. If you are applying now or planning to in the coming months, these updates directly affect your process and costs.

Looking for a quick reference you can save and share? We've put together a free two-page PDF guide covering the key steps to apply for a Single Permit, the full 2025/2026 official fee table, the documents you'll need, and what to do if you lose your job in Malta. Download the Konnekt TCN Quick Reference Guide here.

How to Apply for a Single Permit in Malta: Step-by-Step

The application pathway depends on where you are located when you apply. There are three main scenarios.

If you are currently outside the EU ("Still Abroad")

This is the most common route for TCNs relocating to Malta for work.

1. Your employer initiates the application. The prospective employer submits your application through the Single Permit Online Portal, acting as your sponsor. You then receive a digital link to validate the submitted data.

2. Inter-agency review begins. Identità, Jobsplus, and the Police Immigration Office conduct simultaneous checks. This can take up to four months. Jobsplus will first verify that a Labour Market Test was completed, meaning your employer advertised the role locally on the Jobsplus and EURES portals for a minimum of three weeks before approaching a TCN.

3. Approval in Principle (AIP) is issued. If all checks are passed, Identità issues an AIP letter. This is your authorisation to proceed to the visa stage. The AIP is valid for 180 days, but you must submit your visa application to the Central Visa Unit within the first 60 days of receiving it.

4. Apply for your National Long-Stay (D) Visa. Using your AIP, you apply through the Central Visa Unit or a Visa Application Centre in your country.

5. Travel to Malta and attend your biometrics appointment. Once you arrive, you must attend a pre-booked appointment at the Identità Expatriates Unit in Msida. Your original documents will be verified, and your fingerprints, photograph, and digital signature will be captured.

6. Receive your Interim Receipt ("blue paper"). This document confirms your application is in progress. Crucially, check whether it states "Temporary Authorisation to Work" (TAW). If it does, you may legally begin work immediately. If it does not, you must wait for your residence card before starting.

7. Collect your eResidence Card. Once all background checks are complete, Identità sends a collection letter to your registered address. You present this in person and receive your biometric residence card - your legal proof of right to reside and work in Malta.

If you are already legally residing in another EU country

You may apply from within the EU, provided your current residence permit has at least six months of validity remaining. Note that individuals with international protection status (refugee status, subsidiary protection) or those awaiting an asylum decision are not eligible for a standard Single Permit in Malta. The standard process and timelines apply - there is no abbreviated inter-EU transfer pathway.

If you are already in Malta and wish to change employer

A Change of Employer application (Form C3) must be submitted through the Identità portal. This is treated as a new application, with new fees, a new Labour Market Test, and a new biometrics appointment required. More detail on this is covered in the section on job changes below.

What Does a Single Permit Cost in Malta?

The 2025 Labour Migration Policy significantly restructured the fee schedule. Initial application fees were increased to incentivise long-term hiring, while renewal fees were reduced to encourage employers to retain existing staff.

Sources: Identità Single Permit Application page; Home Affairs Pre-Departure Course; Skills Pass

Important note on non-official costs: The fees above are government-mandated. However, your overall relocation costs will likely be higher. You will also need to budget for private health insurance (Identità requires proof of coverage worth at least €100,000 - premiums vary by provider and age), a legally registered lease agreement (typically requiring one month's deposit, one month's rent in advance, and an agency fee), and any health screening tests required by the Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Unit (IDCU). These are market costs, not government fees, and the amounts vary.

Please note that fees are subject to change, so always check the Identità website for the latest figures before proceeding.

The Pre-Departure Course: What It Is and Who Needs It

From 1 March 2026, Identità formally verifies a Pre-Departure Course Certificate for all first-time, still-abroad Single Permit applications. Moreover any applicants within the Tourism and Hospitality sector, additionally need to undergo the Skills Pass course.

What the course covers:

• Living and working in Malta (culture, daily life, practical orientation)
• Rights and obligations in the Maltese workplace
• An English proficiency interview

How much does it cost?

The official fee is €250, which covers the online training modules and the live verification interview. This Pre-Departure course is administered through the Skills Pass portal.

Who is exempt?

• TCNs who have resided legally in Malta for eight or more years
• TCNs who currently hold a valid Single Permit and are changing employer without having left the Schengen Area

A word of caution: Fraudulent agents in some countries have been known to charge significantly more than €250 for supposed "pre-departure training" or claim they can process the course outside official channels. The official course is only accessible via the government portal linked above. Any request to pay more is a red flag.

For TCNs applying to work in Tourism and Hospitality (in any establishment licensed by the Malta Tourism Authority),a Skills Pass is also required in addition to the Pre-Departure course. This involves online training modules and a live assessment interview. You can apply for both the Pre-Departure and Skills Pass on the official Skills Pass website.

What Documents Do You Need to Apply?

The documentation requirements are exhaustive. Missing or incorrectly formatted documents result in immediate rejection. The full official checklist is maintained by Identità.

Identity documents:

• Full passport copy in PDF (every page, including blank pages), with a minimum validity of 8 months from the date of application
• Original passport for presentation at the biometrics appointment

Employment documents:

• Signed employment contract (matching the role stated on the application forms exactly)
• Proof of job being advertised for at least 3 weeks on EURES and Jobsplus (provided by the employer)
• Declaration of Suitability (Form ELU FM-038), signed by the employer
• Europass CV, signed by the applicant

Health documentation:

• IDCU health approval certificate (not just proof of undergoing tests - the final certificate from health authorities is required)
• Chest X-ray (within 6 weeks of application) if you are from a WHO-classified high TB-risk country
• Vaccination proof relevant to your sector (e.g. Hepatitis B for healthcare; Hepatitis A and Typhoid for food handlers)
• Exemption: TCNs from non-high-risk TB countries working in administrative, construction, transport, cleaning, security, or delivery roles are exempt from IDCU screening

Accommodation documentation:

• Signed lease agreement, accompanied by a Declaration by Landlord, Housing Authority Approval Letter, and a Lease Agreement Attestation Form stamped by a Maltese lawyer, notary, or legal procurator
• Alternative: Keeper's Declaration (hotel/guesthouse) or Declaration of Accommodation (if hosted)

Additional requirements (where applicable):

• Pre-Departure Course Certificate (from March 2026, for first-time applicants)
• Skills Pass Certificate (for Tourism and Hospitality roles)
• MQRIC qualification recognition statement (if relying on foreign academic credentials)
• Health insurance proof (€100,000 coverage minimum)

Changing Jobs or Losing Employment in Malta as a TCN

One of the most important things to understand about working in Malta on a Single Permit is what happens when your employment ends, whether by choice or otherwise.

The 60-Day Grace Period

Prior to 2025, TCNs whose employment was terminated had extremely limited time to find alternative work before their legal status was compromised. The 2025 Labour Migration Policy, fully in force from 1 August 2025, introduced a statutory grace period:

• 30 days automatically granted after termination to seek new employment
• Extended to 60 days if you provide proof of financial self-sufficiency (i.e. that you can support yourself without accessing public funds)

This is a significant protection. Losing your job does not mean you must leave Malta immediately. However, the clock starts from the moment your employer terminates your engagement, and processing a new permit application within 60 days is a genuine logistical challenge. Acting quickly is essential.

Changing Employer

If you wish to move to a new employer voluntarily, the process is the same: a full Change of Employer application (Form C3), a new Labour Market Test by the incoming employer, new documentation, and a €600 fee. Your existing permit does not transfer - the new employer effectively sponsors you from scratch.

During the transition, you must submit a formal termination letter from your previous employer as part of the new application.

Your Rights as a TCN Employee

Regardless of your nationality, Maltese employment law entitles you to the same conditions as any Maltese or EU worker. This includes the national minimum wage, statutory leave entitlements, correct overtime rates, and occupational health and safety standards. All wages must be paid via verifiable bank transfer - cash payments are prohibited under the 2025 policy.

If you believe your rights are being violated, you can contact the Department for Industrial and Employment Relations (DIER) or seek guidance from a licensed employment adviser.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work in Malta while my Single Permit application is being processed?

Only if your Interim Receipt (also known as the "blue paper", issued after your biometrics appointment) explicitly states "Temporary Authorisation to Work." If this clause is not present, you must wait for your eResidence card before starting work. This is a hard legal requirement under the Immigration Act.

Can I apply for a Single Permit if I arrive in Malta on a tourist visa?

No. TCNs who enter Malta on a Schengen C-Visa (tourist visa) are not permitted to submit a Single Permit application from within Malta. They must exit the Schengen Area and apply through the "Still Abroad" process. An exception applies to visa-waiver nationals who apply within the first 60 days of entering the Schengen Area.

Does my employer have to pay for my Single Permit?

Maltese law does not specify who must bear the cost of the permit application. In practice, this is a matter for negotiation between you and your employer. The law is clear, however, that local employers and licensed agencies are prohibited from charging recruitment fees to the candidate.

How long does the Single Permit process take?

The inter-agency review phase alone can take up to four months, per Identità's published guidelines. Adding visa processing and the biometrics appointment, you should plan for a total timeline of five to six months from application submission to starting work in Malta.

What is the difference between the Pre-Departure Course and the Skills Pass?

The Pre-Departure Course (€250) is for any TCN submitting a new application. The Skills Pass (€230) is an additional course required by Hospitality and Tourism roles. Both involve online modules and a live interview component, but they are distinct requirements.

Ready to Start Your Career in Malta?

Navigating Malta's work permit system takes preparation, but the right guidance makes all the difference. If you’re looking to take the next step in your career in Malta, Konnekt's team works with employers across industries and can connect you with opportunities that match your skills and goals. Explore current vacancies on Konnekt or register and upload your CV and one of our recruiters will be in touch.