What is the new termination rate threshold for Malta single permit applications in 2025?

Small firms (10–49) face rejection above 50%, medium (50–249) above 45%, large (250+) above 40%. Initially 15% higher, reducing by 1 July 2026. Companies under 10, KEI, sports, students and healthcare are exempt.

What are the new Malta single permit fees in 2025?

First-time: €600 (was €300). Change of employer: €600 (was €300). Renewals: €150 (was €300).

What is the Skills Pass in Malta?

Mandatory pre-departure integration course from 1 March 2026. Costs €250, takes 20–24 hours, must be completed within 42 days at skillspass.gov.mt.

Malta Single Permit Guide 2025–2026 | Complete Employer & Employee Guide

Before you read the rules

Why Malta rewrote the playbook.

One in three people working in Malta today is a foreign national. That number grew so fast that the system built to manage it stopped working properly. Housing under pressure. Transport under pressure. Healthcare under pressure. The government had two options: slow the tap or fix the pipes. They chose to fix the pipes.

The new Malta Labour Migration Policy introduces 32 recommendations rolling out from August 2025 through late 2026. Some changes are immediate and practical — new fees, new termination thresholds, new grace periods. Others are structural and longer-term.

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If you are an employer, the key question is: does your termination rate disqualify you from hiring? Are you advertising vacancies correctly? Do you have enough Maltese/EU nationals on your team?

If you are a foreign worker, the critical change is the extended grace period after losing a job: 30 days instead of 10, with the possibility of a further 30.

If you arrived on a tourist visa and were hoping to apply for a single permit while in Malta: that door is now closed. From October 2025, you must leave and apply from abroad.

Implementation schedule

What changes, when.

The policy rolls out in phases. Here is every rule, sorted by when it applies to you.

1 August 2025

The Big Changes

Core rules now in effect

Minimum Termination Rate Thresholds

Jobsplus now checks employer termination rates before processing applications. Small (10–49): rejection above 50% · Medium (50–249): above 45% · Large (250+): above 40%. Thresholds start 15% higher, reducing to targets by 1 July 2026. Companies under 10 employees, KEI, sports, students and healthcare are exempt.

⚠ Critical for employers

Stricter Job Advertisement Requirements

New applications: one advert on Jobsplus portal and one on EURES portal, each for min. 3 weeks, within 2 months before applying. For KEI, SEI, EU Blue Card: one advert on any local platform for at least 2 weeks.

New requirement

Redundancy Block

If you made an employee redundant in the previous 12 months for the same role you are now trying to fill with a foreign national, your application will be rejected. No exceptions.

Watch carefully

4-Day Engagement and Termination Forms

Employers must submit engagement and termination forms to Jobsplus within 4 working days. Miss this deadline and all pending applications (except renewals) are suspended. Frequent delays = full disqualification.

Non-negotiable deadline

Revised Application Fees

First-time applications: €300 → €600. Change of employer: €300 → €600. Renewals: €300 → €150.

Fee change

New Salary Benchmarks: KEI & SEI

KEI: annual gross salary threshold increases from €35,000 to €45,000. SEI: increases from €25,000 to €30,000.

Salary thresholds up

Workforce Application Limits

Micro (1–9): up to 200% · Small (10–49): up to 100% · Medium (50–249): up to 50% · Large (250+): up to 25%. Calculated against headcount 12 months before application.

By company size

Grace Period Extended: 10 Days → 30 Days

When employment is terminated, workers now have 30 days (up from 10) to find new employment. Extendable by a further 30 days if sufficient financial means are shown.

Better for workers

No Financial Compensation from Employees

Employers cannot request financial compensation from foreign workers for hiring or termination.

Worker protection

Partners and Families of Maltese Citizens

Partners of Maltese citizens and parents of Maltese citizens under 23 will be granted a residence permit without needing a single permit, but must obtain an employment licence from Jobsplus to work.

New residency rights

1 October 2025

October 2025 Changes

Now in effect

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 will be rejected. You must leave Malta and apply from abroad.

Tourist visa loophole closed

Salary Must Be Paid via Licensed Financial Institution

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

Interim Permits for Visa-Waiver Countries (60-Day Rule)

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 wait outside the Schengen Area.

60-day window

Fixed Renewal Periods

Standard renewals: up to 2 years. KEI, SEI, EU Blue Card renewals: up to 3 years. Identità discretion to grant different periods is removed.

Fixed terms

1 January 2026

January 2026 Changes

Expected — formal issuance pending

Desk Investigations of Employment Compliance

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.

Up to 12-month ban

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: CV, Qualifications, References, Language

Signed CV, qualification certificates (MQRIC recognition for lesser-known institutions), regulatory body approval for regulated roles, at least 2 reference letters, and proof of English or Maltese at IELTS Band 6 minimum.

Expected Jan 2026

Newly Registered Businesses Lose Labour Market Exemption

New businesses are currently exempt from the Labour Market Needs Test. This exemption ends. New businesses without Maltese/EU national owners will not be eligible to apply for foreign workers. Exceptions for FDI cases backed by Malta Enterprise.

Expected Jan 2026

Oct 2026 & Ongoing

Longer-Term Changes

Building the infrastructure

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.

Reward for good employers

Occupation-Specific Salary Study

A study will determine salary levels across skilled occupations, forming the basis for occupation-specific thresholds for foreign workers.

Ongoing

Quotas and Hiring Moratoria by Occupation

Jobsplus will continuously analyse labour market shortages. It may implement temporary or permanent quotas or hiring bans on specific occupations.

Watch for announcements

Fast-track routes

KEI and SEI: What Are They?

Two fast-track routes with different thresholds, lower advertising requirements, and faster processing.

Fast-track · Managerial & Highly Technical

Key Employee Initiative

For senior managers and highly technical specialists. The premium fast-track route.

💰

Salary Threshold

Minimum €45,000 gross/year (up from €35,000).

📢

Advertising Requirement

One advert on any local platform for at least 2 weeks within 2 months of application.

🔄

Permit Duration

First year: 1 year. Renewals: up to 3 years with valid contract + annual tax declaration.

💳

Fee

First-time: €600. Renewal: €150/year.

Official Identità KEI page →

Alternative Fast-track · Skilled Specialists

Specialist Employee Initiative

For skilled specialists who do not qualify for KEI.

💰

Salary Threshold

Minimum €30,000 gross/year (up from €25,000).

🎓

Qualifications

MQF Level 6+ related to the role, or lower qualifications plus 3 years' relevant experience.

⏱️

Processing Time

15 working days from complete submission.

💳

Fee

€600 per application.

Official Identità SEI page →

KEI vs SEI: Quick Comparison

	KEI	SEI
Min. salary	€45,000/yr	€30,000/yr
Role type	Managerial / highly technical	Skilled specialist (any sector)
Processing	Fast-track (expedited)	15 working days
Renewal	Up to 3 years	Up to 3 years
Termination threshold	Exempt	Exempt

Live from 1 March 2026

Skills Pass: The Pre-Departure Course

From 1 March 2026, every first-time applicant must complete an online integration course before applying. Malta is the first country to make pre-departure integration training a legal requirement for a work permit.

🌐

Portal: skillspass.gov.mt

Launched 5 January 2026. Completed entirely online.

💳

Course Fee: €250

Paid by applicant or employer. Factor into your recruitment timeline.

📚

Part 1: Mandatory for All

Two modules: "Living and Working in Malta" + "Rights and Obligations at the Workplace". 20–24 hours, must complete within 42 days. Followed by a 20-minute online interview.

⚠️

Employer Impact

Candidates need up to 6 weeks before submitting. Build this into hiring plans and budget the €250.

Often misunderstood

Changing Employer in Malta

One of the most frequently asked questions. Here is exactly how it works.

✓

No Job Advert Required

Change-of-employer applications are exempt from vacancy advertising requirements.

✓

Stay With Current Employer During Processing

The worker can remain employed by the old employer while the new application is being processed.

📋

New Application Must Be Submitted First

The new employer must submit through the Identità portal before the worker starts in the new role.

💳

Fee: €600

Same as a first-time application under the new fee structure.

⚠️

Watch: Permit Expiry During Transition

If your permit expires during processing, ensure you have a valid application receipt. This covers your legal status until the decision is made.

Questions Answered

The most common questions about the new rules.

From 1 August 2025, Jobsplus reviews employer termination rates. Small firms (10–49) face rejection above 50%, medium (50–249) above 45%, large (250+) above 40%. Initially 15% higher, reducing to targets by 1 July 2026. Companies under 10 employees, KEI, sports, students and healthcare are exempt.

First-time applications: €300 → €600. Change of employer: €300 → €600. Renewals: €300 → €150. All effective from August 2025.

Extended from 10 days to 30 days. Can be extended by a further 30 days if the individual can show sufficient financial means.

KEI threshold increases from €35,000 to €45,000 annual gross. SEI threshold increases from €25,000 to €30,000. Both effective August 2025.

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.

Standard applications: 1 advert on Jobsplus AND 1 on EURES, both for minimum 3 weeks within 2 months before application. For KEI, SEI, EU Blue Card: 1 advert on any local platform for at least 2 weeks.

Micro (1–9): up to 200%. Small (10–49): up to 100%. Medium (50–249): up to 50%. Large (250+): up to 25%. Calculated against headcount 12 months before application. KEI, sports, students and healthcare are exempt.

Signed CV (by both applicant and employer), qualification certificates (MQRIC for lesser-known institutions), regulatory body approval if applicable, at least 2 reference letters, and proof of English or Maltese at IELTS Band 6 minimum. Expected from January 2026.

Single Permit.
Demystified.

Why Malta rewrote the playbook.

What changes, when.

What rules apply to your company?

Revised Application Fees

The Suitability Check: What You Need

KEI and SEI: What Are They?

Skills Pass: The Pre-Departure Course

Changing Employer in Malta

Know Your
Numbers.

Single Permit.Demystified.

Why Malta rewrote the playbook.

What changes, when.

What rules apply to your company?

Revised Application Fees

The Suitability Check: What You Need

KEI and SEI: What Are They?

Skills Pass: The Pre-Departure Course

Changing Employer in Malta

Know YourNumbers.

Single Permit.
Demystified.

Know Your
Numbers.