Broadly speaking, the Maltese economy relies mostly on tourism, manufacturing, financial and IT services. The sectors where skills are most in demand are;

• IT (from fresh graduates to technical experts, as well as supporting functions such as sales and marketing)
• The Gaming Industry (including network administrators, managers, cloud specialists, software experts and front-end developers)
• Finance and Legal (including accounting, administrative and clerical, insurance, funds, banking and auditing)
• Pharmaceutical and medical
• Tourism

This isn’t an exhaustive list – like any other country, there are all sorts of positions available for the right person.

Non-EU nationals working in Malta

Non-EU nationals require a work permit in order to be able to work in Malta. The Key Employee Initiative (KEI) is a newly-launched scheme by Identity Malta that provides a fast-track service to highly-specialized Third Country Nationals (TCNs) who wish to work in Malta. The scheme facilitates the issuing of single permits to prospective key employees within five working days from the date of submission of the application. Applications for a single permit under the KEI are open to managerial or highly-technical posts which require the relevant qualifications or adequate experience related to the job being offered. Applicants need to satisfy the criteria below:

• annual gross salary of at least €30,000;
• certified copies of the relevant qualifications, warrants OR the necessary work experience supported by references covering at least a 3-year period;
• declaration by the employer stating that the TCN has the necessary credentials to perform the assigned duties.

The KEI is also extended to innovators involved in start-up projects which are specifically endorsed by Malta Enterprise. Applications are submitted in the same manner as other single permit applications, namely when the applicant is physically in Malta or still abroad. Approved applications will be issued with a permit valid for one year and which, if renewed, may then have a validity of maximum three years, subject to the presentation of a valid employment contract, and the original annual tax declaration form stamped by the Inland Revenue Department.

FAQs

Can I live and work in Malta?

If you’re from the EU, EEA (European Economic Area) and Switzerland, then get ready to embrace pastizzis, festa fireworks and beautiful beaches – you have the right to live and work in Malta. Click here for details on what paperwork you’ll need to do get an E-residence permit.

If you’re a Third Country National (TCN - i.e. the rest of the world), things are a little more complicated. You will need your employer to apply for a work permit for you. Click here to find out more.

What are salaries like in Malta?

Salaries might be lower than elsewhere, but there are some notable exceptions, such as the gaming industry. However, it is possible to live quite cheaply in Malta, so a skilled foreign worker will likely end up with as much, if not more, disposable income as they would in other countries, especially compared to much of Northern Europe. Check out the site salariesinmalta.com for a guide or read up more here.