If you are a Third-Country National working in Malta and your employment ends, you do not have to leave the country immediately. Since August 2025, Maltese law grants TCNs a statutory grace period of up to 60 days to find a new employer without losing their right to remain.

The grace period works in two stages: an automatic 30-day window from the date of termination, extendable by a further 30 days if you can demonstrate financial self-sufficiency. Acting quickly is essential: the clock starts the moment your employer terminates you from Jobplus, and the process of securing a new job takes time.

Key Takeaways

  • You have 30 days automatically after termination; this can be extended to 60 days with proof of funds
  • Your permit does not automatically transfer - the new employer must start a change of employer application
  • Employment rules in Malta are not the same for TCNs and Maltese nationals - understanding the difference matters
  • The grace period is a protection, not a guarantee. Use every day of it strategically

What Is the TCN Grace Period in Malta?

TCN Grace Period is a statutory right introduced under the Malta Labour Migration Policy (2025) that allows a Third-Country National whose employment has been terminated to remain legally in Malta for up to 60 days while seeking alternative employment. It came into full effect on 1 August 2025.

Before this reform, TCNs whose employment ended had just 10 days to resolve their situation. This window was so narrow it effectively forced workers into either accepting exploitative conditions to avoid job loss, or facing immediate irregular status.

Critically, the grace period applies specifically to TCNs holding a Single Permit. It does not grant the right to work freely during those 60 days. You remain tied to the process of finding a new employer and initiating a formal change of employer application.

How the 30+30 Day Structure Works

The grace period is not a flat 60-day allowance. It operates in two distinct stages, each with its own conditions.

Stage 1 — Automatic 30 Days

The first 30 days begin immediately from the date your employment is formally terminated. No application is required to activate this stage. However, your former employer is legally required to submit a termination notification to Jobsplus promptly. If they fail to do so, your legal status can become unclear, which is one reason keeping your own records is critical (more on that below).

During this first stage, you should be actively searching for a new employer and beginning the groundwork for a change of employer application.

Stage 2 — Extension to 60 Days

To extend beyond 30 days, you must proactively apply for the extension and provide concrete proof of financial self-sufficiency, demonstrating that you can support yourself in Malta. This typically means providing recent bank statements showing adequate funds for the anticipated additional period.

The extension is not automatic and is not guaranteed. It requires you to take action before the first 30 days expire.

What Happens During the Grace Period?

You remain legally in Malta, but you are not authorised to take up new employment until a new change of employer application has been submitted and, where applicable, a Temporary Authorisation to Work has been issued. The change of employer process, governed by Identità is treated as a completely new application, with a new Labour Market Test, new documentation, and a €600 fee paid by the prospective employer or employee.

Why TCNs and Maltese Employees Are Not Treated the Same

It is important to understand that when employment ends in Malta, TCNs and Maltese nationals face fundamentally different legal consequences.

A Maltese citizen or EU national who loses their job retains their full right to remain in the country indefinitely. They can take time to find the right next role, register as unemployed and access social support.

A TCN's situation is categorically different. Under the Single Permit framework (S.L. 217.17), the right to reside in Malta is directly and legally tied to the specific employment relationship with the named employer. When that relationship ends, the legal basis for your residence begins to dissolve. The grace period is a buffer, but it is a finite one.

This structural difference has real consequences for how TCNs must approach the job market. Whereas a Maltese professional might take several weeks to consider options, update their CV, and have exploratory conversations, a TCN in transition must treat day one after termination as day one of an active, urgent job search. Every day spent without initiating the new permit process is a day subtracted from an already tight window.

What to Do in the First 48 Hours After Termination

Time is your most valuable resource during the grace period. Here is what to prioritise immediately.

1. Get your termination in writing. Request a formal termination letter from your employer. This document is required for a change of employer application and proves the start date of your grace period. Do not leave the workplace without confirming the official termination date.

2. Check that Jobsplus has been notified. Your employer is legally required to submit a termination form to Jobsplus promptly. Ask for confirmation that this has been done. If it has not, your legal status may be unclear to authorities.

3. Secure copies of all your documents. Gather your eResidence card, employment contract, payslips, and any correspondence with your employer. Store copies securely, both digitally and physically.

4. Assess your financial position. If you may need the full 60 days, begin preparing bank statements and evidence of self-sufficiency now, not on day 29.

5. Begin your job search immediately. The new employer must run a Labour Market Test before submitting your change of employer application. This process alone takes a minimum of three weeks. Therefore, starting your search on day one is necessary.

6. Contact a recruitment consultant. Working with an experienced recruiter who understands the process, including the documentation and timeline requirements, can significantly reduce the time between finding a role and getting the application submitted. Konnekt's recruiters work with employers across Malta who are ready to employ TCNs and understand the obligations involved. Explore current vacancies on Konnekt or register and upload your CV to Konnekt today to be matched with relevant opportunities immediately.

Navigating a job change as a TCN in Malta involves more moving parts than most people expect. To help you stay organised, Konnekt has put together a free TCN Grace Period Toolkit: a step-by-step guide covering the change of employer process, what the 60-day grace period means in practice, the official fees involved, and exactly which documents you will need. Download the Toolkit here.

What Happens If the Grace Period Runs Out

If 60 days pass without a new change of employer application being approved, or at minimum formally submitted with a Temporary Authorisation to Work issued, your legal basis for remaining in Malta expires.

At that point, remaining in the country constitutes an overstay under the Immigration Act (Chapter 217), which can result in deportation, a re-entry ban, and serious complications for any future applications to work in Malta or elsewhere in the Schengen Area.

There are two important protections worth knowing:

  • If your new employer submits a change of employer application before the grace period expires, you have a formal record that you acted within the legal window, even if processing extends beyond 60 days.

  • If you genuinely cannot find employment within the grace period and cannot remain legally, departing voluntarily is significantly better for your future prospects than overstaying. A voluntary departure does not carry the same automatic re-entry restrictions as a deportation order.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the grace period start from when I am told I am being let go, or from my last working day?

Based on current regulations, the grace period begins from the official termination date, the date on which your employment formally ends and is recorded with Jobsplus. This is typically your last working day or the date stated in your termination letter. Confirm this date in writing with your employer to avoid any ambiguity.

Can I work for a different employer during the grace period?

No. The grace period allows you to remain in Malta legally, but you are not authorised to take up new employment until a change of employer application has been formally submitted and, if applicable, a Temporary Authorisation to Work has been issued on your new Interim Receipt. Starting work without this authorisation constitutes illegal employment.

Does my employer have to tell me about the grace period?

There is no specific statutory obligation on the employer to inform you of the grace period at the time of termination. This is one reason why knowing your rights in advance is so important.

What if my employer terminates me unfairly, does the grace period still apply?

Yes. The grace period applies regardless of the reason for termination. If you believe your termination was unlawful, you can pursue a complaint through the Department for Industrial and Employment Relations (DIER) or the Industrial Tribunal, while simultaneously using the grace period to seek new employment. The two processes are not mutually exclusive.

Can I travel outside Malta during the grace period?

This is an area requiring caution. As a general rule, avoid international travel during the grace period unless you have received written clarification from Identità.

Ready to Move Fast? Konnekt Can Help.

The grace period gives you time, but it does not give you much of it. If you have recently lost your job or are concerned about your employment situation in Malta, register and upload your CV to Konnekt today. The sooner you start, the more options you have.