Working in Malta: preparing for a local job

Read the job offer as a living plan

A role in Malta needs to work professionally and financially. Ask whether the salary is gross or net, when it is paid and whether any allowances or relocation support are conditional. Compare the likely take-home amount with the rental homes you would actually consider, including utilities and travel. If the move depends on promised support, make sure that support is documented.

Clarify the workplace, expected hours, shift patterns, probation and notice arrangements. Hybrid working should be confirmed rather than assumed from a conversation. English is used in many workplaces, but individual roles may need Maltese or other languages; follow the requirements of the vacancy and employer.

Establish permission before choosing a start date

EU nationals generally do not need a work permit for employment in Malta, although residence registration for a longer stay and employment procedures remain relevant. Non-EU nationals normally require the appropriate employment permission. A Single Permit is a common combined residence-and-work route, usually submitted by the prospective employer for a particular role.

Ask the employer how the application will be handled and which documents are required from you. Make sure you understand what confirms permission to start; a submitted application is not, by itself, permission to work. If you change employer or role later, check what must happen to your permission before proceeding. Refer to Identità and Jobsplus for current requirements.

Know the employment arrangements

Employment is registered through Jobsplus, and your employer should explain the process relevant to your appointment. Ask payroll what information is needed for tax and social security and how deductions will appear on your payslip. Do not assume a salary quoted during recruitment is the amount that will reach your bank account.

For questions about working time, leave, wages and other employment conditions, use guidance from the Department of Industrial and Employment Relations. The written contract matters, but it should be read alongside the applicable employment rules. Seek advice if a term is unclear or seems inconsistent with those rules.

Choose housing around the actual working day

Visit or test the route at the time you expect to travel. Check public transport if you finish late or work on weekends, and parking if you intend to drive. If the role involves several work sites, one nearby address may not describe the whole commute. A little more time spent on this question can prevent a rental choice that makes every working day harder.

If you will work from home, confirm internet options and consider noise, light and a suitable place for calls. Coordinate the rental start with your permission and employment dates, leaving room for initial accommodation where necessary. Avoid treating an estimated approval date as certain.

Keep the first month practical

Find out when you will receive your first pay and keep enough money available for commitments that fall before then. Keep the contract, permit correspondence and rental paperwork together. A move for work is easier to manage when the job, the permission and the home are organised as parts of the same decision.