Single Permit
Guide · Malta 2026

Identità Single Permit — 2026 Guide

Foreign workers are one third of Malta's workforce. The government just rewrote the rulebook — 32 new rules rolling out from August 2025. Here's everything that changed, in plain English.

New first-time fee
€600
was €300
Grace period
30 days
was 10 days
KEI threshold
€45K
was €35K
Skills Pass
€250
from Mar 2026
Company Size Checker

Select your company size to see exactly which thresholds and limits apply to you.

Revised Fees — Effective August 2025
First-Time
€300
€600
Doubled. New foreign national not yet in Malta.
Change of Employer
€300
€600
Doubled. Moving to a new employer.
Renewal
€300
€150
Halved. Good news for long-term employees.
What Changes, When
August 2025 — Now in effect
The Big Changes
New Fees & Termination Thresholds
First-time and change-of-employer fees doubled to €600. Renewals halved to €150. Termination rate thresholds now apply: small firms above 50%, medium above 45%, large above 40% face rejection.
Action required
30-Day Grace Period After Job Loss
Extended from 10 to 30 days after losing employment. Can be extended a further 30 days if you can show sufficient financial means. Use this time to find a new employer and submit a change of employer application.
Better protection
KEI & SEI Salary Thresholds Raised
Key Employee Initiative (KEI): €35,000 → €45,000 annual gross. Specialist Employee Initiative (SEI): €25,000 → €30,000. These are the fast-track routes for skilled foreign workers — threshold increase means fewer qualify automatically.
Higher bar
October 2025 — Now in effect
Tourist Visa Loophole Closed
No More In-Country Applications from Tourist Visas
Foreign nationals on a tourist visa cannot apply for a single permit from within Malta. Any such application is rejected. You must leave Malta and apply from abroad. If you arrived on a tourist visa hoping to convert it — that door is now closed.
Tourist visa loophole closed
Salary Must Be Paid via Bank
Foreign workers registered on or after 1 August 2025 must receive salaries through a licensed financial institution. Cash payments are not permitted.
No cash salaries
60-Day Window for Visa-Waiver Countries
Applicants from visa-waiver countries who apply within 60 days of entering the Schengen Area receive an interim permit while their application is processed. Apply from day 61+ and you must wait outside the Schengen Area.
60-day window
January 2026 — Expected (legal notices pending)
Employer Compliance Rules
First Employment Rule
Before applying to hire foreign workers, employers must already employ: Micro: min. 2 Maltese/EU nationals · Small: min. 4 · Medium: min. 20 · Large: min. 40
Expected Jan 2026
Suitability Check Documents
Signed CV (by both applicant and employer), qualification certificates (MQRIC for lesser-known institutions), at least 2 reference letters, and proof of English or Maltese at IELTS Band 6 minimum.
Expected Jan 2026
Up to 12-Month Employer Ban
Employers who violate employment laws face up to 12 months' disqualification from submitting new applications. Failure to meet tax and social security obligations results in disqualification until resolved.
Serious consequence
March 2026 — Now mandatory
Skills Pass
Mandatory Pre-Departure Integration Course
All new single permit applicants must complete the Skills Pass — a 20–24 hour online integration course covering Maltese law, culture and workplace rights. Cost: €250. Must be completed within 42 days. Available at skillspass.gov.mt. Exempt: renewals, KEI/SEI, students, healthcare workers.
Mandatory from Mar 2026
Job Advertising Requirements
Standard applications: 1 advert on Jobsplus AND 1 on EURES, both for minimum 3 weeks within 2 months before application.

KEI, SEI, EU Blue Card: 1 advert on any local platform for at least 2 weeks — lighter requirement.

Register of Exemplary Employers (coming): Fully compliant employers who invest in official training will be eligible for a fast-track register with streamlined labour market testing and renewal periods of 2–4 years.
Single Permit Assistance

Navigating the new rules is complex. FreeMalta works with licensed advisors and immigration specialists. Tell us your situation — we'll point you in the right direction or handle it directly.

Got it — we'll be in touch within 24 hours.
No commitment. FreeMalta or one of our licensed partners will respond.
At a Glance
First-time fee€600
Renewal fee€150
Grace period (job loss)30 days
KEI threshold€45,000
SEI threshold€30,000
Skills Pass cost€250
Standard renewal term2 years
Managing payroll in Malta? Employment contracts, SSC, payslips — all compliant.
HR & Payroll
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Payoneer
What will you earn in Malta? Calculate your net salary, tax and take-home pay.
Salary Calculator
Context

The Numbers Behind the Changes

Why Malta Changed the Rules
One in three people working in Malta is a foreign national. That number grew so fast that the system stopped working properly. Housing, transport and healthcare all came under pressure. The government's response: 32 new recommendations rolling out from August 2025 through 2026. Some changes are immediate — fees, thresholds, grace periods. Others are structural and longer-term.
KEI vs SEI — What's the Difference?
Key Employee Initiative (KEI): For senior managers, directors, and highly skilled roles earning €45,000+ gross. Fast-track processing, 3-year renewals, lighter advertising requirement.

Specialist Employee Initiative (SEI): For specialist technical roles earning €30,000+ gross. Same fast-track benefits, slightly lower salary bar.
For Foreign Workers — What to Watch
The most critical change for employees: the grace period after job loss is now 30 days (extendable to 60). Use that time to find a new employer and submit a change-of-employer application. If you arrived on a tourist visa hoping to convert it — that route is permanently closed from October 2025. You must leave and apply from abroad.
For Employers — The Compliance Risk
The new termination rate thresholds are the biggest compliance risk for employers. Small firms (10–49): max 50% termination rate. Medium (50–249): max 45%. Large (250+): max 40%. Employers with high staff turnover face rejection of new applications — calculate your rate before submitting.
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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the new Malta single permit fees in 2026?
Effective from August 2025: First-time applications €600 (was €300). Change of employer €600 (was €300). Renewals €150 (was €300). The renewal reduction is good news for long-term employees and their employers — the doubling of first-time fees reflects the government's intent to manage new inflows more carefully.
Can I apply for a Malta single permit while on a tourist visa?
No. From 1 October 2025, foreign nationals on a tourist visa cannot apply for a single permit from within Malta. Any such application will be rejected. You must leave Malta and apply from abroad. This was previously a common approach — that door is now permanently closed.
What happens if I lose my job in Malta on a single permit?
You have 30 days (extended from 10) to find a new employer and submit a change-of-employer application. This can be extended by a further 30 days if you can show sufficient financial means. During this period you must stay with your current (outgoing) employer until the new application is submitted. The new employer submits through the Identità portal before you start in the new role.
What is the Malta Skills Pass and who needs it?
The Skills Pass is a mandatory pre-departure online integration course (20–24 hours) covering Maltese law, culture and workplace rights. It costs €250 and must be completed within 42 days of application. Mandatory from 1 March 2026 for all new single permit applicants. Exempt: renewals, KEI/SEI holders, students, healthcare workers. Available at skillspass.gov.mt.
What is the termination rate threshold and how does it affect my company?
From August 2025, Jobsplus reviews employer termination rates before processing new applications. Small firms (10–49 employees): max 50% termination rate. Medium (50–249): max 45%. Large (250+): max 40%. Initially 15% higher (transitional buffer), reducing to these targets by 1 July 2026. Companies under 10 employees, KEI, sports, students and healthcare are exempt. Calculate your termination rate before submitting any new application.
What is the difference between KEI and SEI in Malta?
Key Employee Initiative (KEI): Fast-track route for senior managers, directors and highly skilled professionals earning €45,000+ gross annual (raised from €35,000). Lighter advertising requirement, 3-year renewals. Specialist Employee Initiative (SEI): For specialist technical roles earning €30,000+ gross (raised from €25,000). Same fast-track benefits at a slightly lower salary threshold. Both are significantly faster to process than standard single permit applications.
How many Maltese/EU nationals must I employ before hiring foreign workers?
From January 2026 (expected): Micro businesses (1–9 employees) must have at least 2 Maltese/EU nationals. Small (10–49): min. 4. Medium (50–249): min. 20. Large (250+): min. 40. This rule also removes the existing exemption for newly registered businesses — new companies without Maltese/EU national owners will not be eligible to apply for foreign workers, except for FDI cases backed by Malta Enterprise.
Can FreeMalta help with single permit applications?
Yes. FreeMalta works with licensed immigration advisors and single permit specialists in Malta. Whether you're an employer managing multiple applications or a foreign worker navigating the new rules, use the form on this page to get free initial guidance. We'll assess your situation and connect you with the right specialist — or handle it directly.