EU, EEA and Swiss students generally do not follow the third-country student work route. Third-country students usually need the right residence status and Jobsplus authorisation; the 20-hour limit and start date depend on their course and permit.
| Situation | What to know |
|---|---|
| EU student | EU nationals do not need a work permit. Residence registration is a separate matter: check Identità’s rules if you will stay in Malta for more than three months, and make sure your employment is registered with Jobsplus. |
| EEA or Swiss student | Jobsplus lists EEA and Swiss citizens as exempt from employment licences. Identità’s published guidance does not spell out every Swiss student’s residence-registration requirements, so confirm your case with Identità. |
| Third-country student on a qualifying higher-education course | Eligible students may work outside study time for up to 20 hours weekly from their first year. You still need the relevant residence permit and Jobsplus employment licence before starting. |
| UK student | Your rights depend on your status. Some people covered by the Withdrawal Agreement have different rights; other UK nationals may need the relevant third-country work authorisation. |
The short answer: it depends on your status
Students can work in Malta, but the rules differ by nationality, course and residence status. If you are a third-country national, a student visa or residence permit does not by itself authorise an ordinary job: Jobsplus says you need an Employment Licence, and the employer must register the employment after the licence is issued.
EU, EEA, Swiss and UK students
EU nationals do not need a permit to reside and work in Malta. Residence registration is separate from permission to work: check Identità’s requirements if you will stay longer than three months. Employment must also be registered with Jobsplus.
Jobsplus lists EEA and Swiss citizens among those who do not need an employment licence. Identità says Swiss nationals enjoy some similar favourable conditions to EU nationals, but its public guidance does not settle every Swiss student’s residence-registration position. Confirm your individual situation with Identità rather than assuming the third-country student rules apply.
For UK nationals, check whether you hold rights under the Withdrawal Agreement. Jobsplus says qualifying UK nationals covered by that agreement have different rights; other UK nationals, including those who entered Malta after 1 January 2021, may need third-country work authorisation. Check your residence card and circumstances before relying on the general rule.
Which third-country students qualify for the higher-education route?
Identità describes the standard study-residence route for third-country nationals accepted onto a full-time course leading to a higher-education qualification recognised at MQF Level 5. Its guidance specifies a licensed institution and says students apply for a study residence permit through the Expatriates Unit Portal. Check that your institution and qualification meet the current requirements; a course marketed as university study does not automatically qualify.
Other courses, including some English-language and foundation courses, may fall outside this higher-education route. Identità describes a separate work route for some students whose courses exceed 90 days. Ask Identità and Jobsplus which study and work rules apply to your course and permit.
The 20-hour limit and when third-country students can start
For eligible third-country nationals on the full-time higher-education route, the European Commission specifies work outside study time for a maximum of 20 hours per week. Identità says this route may be available from the first year of study. That is not automatic permission to start: the student needs the relevant residence permit and Jobsplus Employment Licence.
For an ordinary part-time job, Jobsplus says the employer must ensure the Employment Licence is issued and register the employment afterward. Confirm that the licence is in place before you begin and that your hours fit the limit for your route. For ideas on finding work, see Part-Time Jobs in Malta for Students.
Other courses: a separate route with a different waiting period
Do not apply the first-year rule to every course. Identità says some students outside the specified higher-education provisions, following courses longer than 90 days, may be allowed to work up to 20 hours weekly after their first three months, subject to Jobsplus conditions. The European Commission’s Malta student page, dated 1 April 2025, describes access after 12 weeks for relevant MQRIC Level 1–4 courses and specifies a Type D visa and Employment Licence. These are separate study routes, and the published waiting periods differ slightly. Check with Identità and Jobsplus which route and timing apply to your course, visa and permit.
Placements, internships and work after graduation
Jobsplus’ guidance for third-country students says a work placement or traineeship required as part of studies needs an Employment Licence. A separate Jobsplus page says internships and work placements that do not constitute an employment relationship should have a tripartite training agreement and do not require an employment engagement form; it also says third-country students with a valid residence card on an internship or work placement do not need Jobsplus registration. Because these Jobsplus pages describe the placement and licence requirements differently, confirm directly with Jobsplus whether your specific placement needs a licence, and make sure the institution and placement provider agree on the required documentation.
A student authorisation does not automatically become permission for full-time work after graduation. The European Commission’s student guidance for Malta, dated 1 April 2025, says graduates who want to work must obtain an Employment Licence and may apply for a residence permit of at least nine months to seek work or set up a business. This is a separate application with eligibility requirements, so check the current process before your student status ends. For related residence routes, see Malta Residence Permit Requirements.
Questions people ask
Do non-EU university students have to wait three months before working?
Not necessarily. Identità says eligible third-country students on the specified full-time higher-education route may work from their first year, once the relevant residence permit and Jobsplus Employment Licence are in place. A different route applies to some other courses over 90 days. Identità describes a three-month wait for that route, while the European Commission’s page dated 1 April 2025 describes 12 weeks for relevant MQRIC Level 1–4 courses and specifies a Type D visa and Employment Licence. Check which route applies to your course and permit.
Can I work more than 20 hours a week as a third-country student?
Identità states a maximum of 20 hours weekly for eligible third-country students on the specified higher-education route. The other-course route is also described with a 20-hour maximum. Check the conditions for your particular course and permit with Identità and Jobsplus.
Can I start work as soon as I receive my student visa?
A student visa alone does not authorise an ordinary job for a third-country student who needs an Employment Licence. Check that the relevant residence status and Jobsplus authorisation are in place before starting.
Does a third-country student need a licence for a university placement?
Jobsplus’ third-country student guidance says a work placement or traineeship that forms part of studies needs an Employment Licence. Another Jobsplus page says a non-employment internship or work placement requires a tripartite training agreement and does not require an engagement form. Because the published pages describe the licence and registration requirements differently, confirm your particular placement with Jobsplus before it begins.
Can I stay in Malta and work full-time after graduation?
Not automatically under your student authorisation. You need the relevant employment authorisation. The European Commission page dated 1 April 2025 says eligible graduates may apply for a separate residence permit of at least nine months to seek work or set up a business; check current eligibility and application requirements.
Sources
- Identità — EU Nationals
- Identità — EU Nationals FAQ
- Jobsplus — Employment Licences Unit Guide
- Identità — Working and Residing in Malta
- Jobsplus — Employing Non-EU Nationals in Malta
- Identità — Study, Research, Trainees, Volunteers and Interns
- Identità — Student Visa Employment
- European Commission — EU Immigration Portal: Student in Malta
- Jobsplus — Students, Interns, Trainees and Apprentices
Rules, fees and eligibility can change. Confirm current requirements with the named authority or institution before applying or paying.