Malta · Work
Malta Single Permit (work)
Single Permit (employment and residence, S.L. 217.17)
First checked against official sources on , some details partly verifiedChange log
Key facts
Single Permit (work) is a work route for Malta. You can't take local work. Checked 2026-10-11 against the official source.
- Government fees
- €600 ≈ $670 · €150/yr ≈ $170
Cost, time and long term
Government fees€600 ≈ $670 · €150/yr ≈ $170
- EUR 600 (≈ $670)First-time Single Permit application, paid online by the employer or the applicant.
- EUR 150 a year (≈ $170)Single Permit renewal, per year.
RenewalRenewable
The single permit is renewed annually; apply while the current permit is valid, ideally 90 days before it expires.
Permanent residenceGeneral rule: 5 years of residence
Third-country nationals who have lived legally and continuously in Malta for 5 years or more can apply for long-term residence, with stable resources, accommodation and integration measures.
CitizenshipGeneral rule: 5 years of residence
Naturalisation needs residence in Malta throughout the 12 months before applying and at least 4 years in total in the 6 years before that, plus other conditions.
Where to applyAbroad or in-country
Apply online through the Expatriates Unit portal, from outside the Schengen area or while legally in Malta or another Schengen state.
Why this route may not fit
Check this before you apply.
- Needs a job offer from an employer in Malta
- Work isn't allowed on this route
- Not open to EU, EEA or Swiss passports
What you'll need
Who can apply4
- The applicant is a third-country national with a job offer from a company registered and operating in Malta.
- The employer is registered with Jobsplus.
- The applicant is still abroad or holds legal status in Malta through a valid residence permit or visa.
- Beneficiaries of protection, including people awaiting a decision, cannot apply.
What you must show and pay2
- A fee of EUR 600 (≈ $670) · First-time Single Permit application, paid online by the employer or the applicant.
- A fee of EUR 150 a year (≈ $170) · Single Permit renewal, per year.
Documents5
- Health insurance of at least EUR 100,000 (≈ $112,000) covering Malta and, if needed, other European countries.
- A signed employment contract and a position description signed by employer and applicant.
- A Europass CV signed by the applicant.
- A passport valid for at least eight more months from the application date.
- Proof of a vacancy advert on Jobsplus and EURES for at least three weeks within the two months before applying.
Steps3
- The employer applies through the Single Permit Online Portal; the worker cannot apply directly.
- The worker confirms the application through a link and the employer then submits it after payment.
- Processing is allowed up to four months, with an average of about two months.
After you arrive1
- The permit is generally renewed annually while the employment continues.
When you become tax resident
How Malta decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records.
- Tax residence
Residence for the ordinary rates and the remittance basis follows residence and domicile in Malta under the Income Tax Act.
- Foreign-source income
Remittance basis (non-dom)
For a person who is not ordinarily resident or not domiciled in Malta, income arising outside Malta is taxed only on the amount received in Malta and capital gains arising outside Malta are not taxed; Maltese-source income is taxed normally.
- Special regime
Not ordinarily resident or not domiciled · Tax relief
All tax rules for Malta Tax records checked
Full official text
Combined work and residence permit for a third-country national with a job offer from a company registered and operating in Malta; the employer applies on the worker's behalf. 1 2 3 4 5
What you must show and pay
- A fee of EUR 600 (≈ $670) · First-time Single Permit application, paid online by the employer or the applicant. 3
- A fee of EUR 150 a year (≈ $170) · Single Permit renewal, per year. 3 5
Requirements
- The applicant is a third-country national with a job offer from a company registered and operating in Malta. 2
- The employer is registered with Jobsplus. 2
- The applicant is still abroad or holds legal status in Malta through a valid residence permit or visa. 2
- Beneficiaries of protection, including people awaiting a decision, cannot apply. 2
- Health insurance of at least EUR 100,000 (≈ $112,000) covering Malta and, if needed, other European countries. 4
- A signed employment contract and a position description signed by employer and applicant. 4
- A Europass CV signed by the applicant. 4
- A passport valid for at least eight more months from the application date. 4
- Proof of a vacancy advert on Jobsplus and EURES for at least three weeks within the two months before applying. 4
- The employer applies through the Single Permit Online Portal; the worker cannot apply directly. 3 2
- The worker confirms the application through a link and the employer then submits it after payment. 3
- Processing is allowed up to four months, with an average of about two months. 1
- The permit is generally renewed annually while the employment continues. 5
Stay
- Defined period of over six months, generally renewed annually.
- Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal.
Nationality
Third-country nationals. Not open to: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia.
Work
Work only for the employer and in the position named in the permit; no paid work for other parties and no duties outside Malta.
Official sources
- Single Permit · Identità, Government of Malta · checked 2026-10-11
- Single Permit: who is eligible · Identità, Government of Malta · checked 2026-10-11
- Single Permit: applying for a Single Permit and fees · Identità, Government of Malta · checked 2026-10-11
- Single Permit: guidelines on required documents · Identità, Government of Malta · checked 2026-10-11
- Single Permit: renewal · Identità, Government of Malta · checked 2026-10-11
- Long-term residence (non-employment permits) · Identità, Government of Malta · checked 2026-10-11
- Maltese Citizenship Act (Cap. 188) · Government of Malta (legislation.mt) · checked 2026-10-11
Single Permit (work) and its alternatives
| Route | Money needed | Stay | Work |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single Permit (work) | – | – | No |
| Blue Card | – | 2 yr, renewable | – |
| Key Employee | Needs income of €45k+ a year ≈ $50k | 1 yr, renewable | – |
| Specialist Employee | Needs income of €30k+ a year ≈ $34k | – | – |
| Blue Card Portugal | Needs income from €1,726 a month ≈ $1,930 | 2 yr, renewable | Limited |
Questions people ask
How much money do I need for the Single Permit (work)?
A fee of EUR 600 (≈ $670). First-time Single Permit application, paid online by the employer or the applicant. A fee of EUR 150 a year (≈ $170). Single Permit renewal, per year.
How long can I stay on the Single Permit (work)?
Defined period of over six months, generally renewed annually.
Can I work on the Single Permit (work)?
No. Work only for the employer and in the position named in the permit; no paid work for other parties and no duties outside Malta.
Who can apply for the Single Permit (work)?
Third-country nationals. Not open to: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia.
Does the Single Permit (work) lead to permanent residence in Malta?
The general rule for permanent residence in Malta is 5 years of residence. The general rule for citizenship is 5 years of residence.
Is there a tax break for Single Permit (work) holders in Malta?
Malta: not ordinarily resident or not domiciled - foreign-source income taxed only when received in Malta: For a person who is not ordinarily resident or not domiciled in Malta, income arising outside Malta is taxed only on the amount received in Malta and capital gains arising outside Malta are not taxed; Maltese-source income is taxed normally. It's separate from the visa and has its own conditions.
Tax
Special regime
Malta: not ordinarily resident or not domiciled - foreign-source income taxed only when received in Malta
Tax relief
Details
- On: Income arising outside Malta and received in Malta (remittance basis)
- Who: Not ordinarily resident in Malta, or not domiciled in Malta
For a person who is not ordinarily resident or not domiciled in Malta, income arising outside Malta is taxed only on the amount received in Malta and capital gains arising outside Malta are not taxed; Maltese-source income is taxed normally.
Taxed on
Income arising outside Malta and received in Malta (remittance basis), plus all Maltese-source income and Maltese capital gains;.
Who it applies to
- Not ordinarily resident in Malta, or not domiciled in Malta (Income Tax Act proviso (i) and (ii)).
- Persons charged at 15 cents in the euro under article 56(11) are taxed only on Maltese-source income and capital gains and on foreign-source income received in Malta.
Exclusions
- Maltese-source income and Maltese capital gains are fully taxable.
- Foreign-source income that is received in Malta (including foreign-source income remitted) is taxed.
Tax residence
Status depends on ordinary residence and domicile as defined for Maltese tax law; visa status is not the test.
Visas
Independent of the immigration permit.
Other taxes
Social security contributions and VAT are separate; Nomad Residence Permit income rules are in a separate record.
Checked against official sources on Change log
More in Malta
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≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.
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How this was checked
Checked on 2026-10-11 against 7 official sources. Status: partly verified; the page marks the facts an official source does not fully confirm.
Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out.
- Single Permit · Identità, Government of Malta · checked 2026-10-11
- Single Permit: who is eligible · Identità, Government of Malta · checked 2026-10-11
- Single Permit: applying for a Single Permit and fees · Identità, Government of Malta · checked 2026-10-11
- Single Permit: guidelines on required documents · Identità, Government of Malta · checked 2026-10-11
- Single Permit: renewal · Identità, Government of Malta · checked 2026-10-11
- Long-term residence (non-employment permits) · Identità, Government of Malta · checked 2026-10-11
- Maltese Citizenship Act (Cap. 188) · Government of Malta (legislation.mt) · checked 2026-10-11
Tracked since 2026-10-11. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the changes page, and the methodology page explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email contact@stayglobe.app with a link to the official source.