MaltaWork residence permit

Programmes for specialists in Malta

Two tracks for hiring highly qualified workers from outside the EU. The Key Employee Initiative is aimed at executives and senior specialists on a high salary. The Specialist Employee Initiative is more accessible: the salary threshold is lower, but the applicant must evidence a qualification at the required level or relevant work experience. On both tracks the work and residence permit for Malta is issued on a fast track, first for a short term and then renewed.

Visa term

Issued initially for 1 year; renewable up to 3 years

Processing time

KEI: 5 working days; SEI: 15 working days

Work

Yes — work for a specific employer

Residence

Residence in Malta

Source: identita.gov.mt — KEI and SEI permits for the highly qualified

Which track suits you

The choice of track depends on your position, your qualifications and your level of income.

Key Employee Initiative (KEI)

Managerial and strategic positions
Highly technical fields (engineering, IT, research)
Start-ups approved by Malta Enterprise
At least €45,000 of gross income a year

Specialist Employee Initiative (SEI)

Highly technical fields with no managerial requirement
Specialists with a relevant qualification
Experienced professionals (3+ years in the field)
At least €30,000 of gross income a year

When the programme will not suit you

You are looking for work in Malta without an offer from an employer

The programmes are available only with a confirmed employment contract from a Maltese company

Your salary is below the minimum (KEI: €45,000, SEI: €30,000)

Consider other programmes for foreign workers, or agree an increase in salary with your employer

You have no proof of qualifications (SEI requires MQF 6+ or 3 years of experience)

Apply to MQRIC (Malta Qualifications Recognition and Information Centre) to have a foreign qualification recognised

You are an EU or EEA national

You do not need a work permit; rely on freedom of movement in the EU

What it costs

Filing a KEI applicationOne-off fee for issuing the Single Permit through the KEI	600 EUR
Filing an SEI applicationReduced fee for the Specialist Employee Initiative	300 EUR
Renewal of the permit (annual)Applies to both KEI and SEI on renewal for the second and third years	+150 EUR
Each family member (spouse/children)Paid for each dependant when the family reunification application is filed	+50 EUR
Total government feesThe sum of the mandatory rows in the table. “Renewal of the permit (annual)” adds 150 EUR; “Each family member (spouse/children)” adds 50 EUR. Charges with no official price list are in the list below.	900–1 100 EUR

Paid separately

Visa — Malta has no requirement for a visa before filing a Single Permit (work permit) application. Nationals of most countries can enter visa-free to complete the formalities.

Documents to gather

All documents are filed through the Expatriates Portal online (expatriates.identita.gov.mt). The employer starts the application, and you then confirm it and upload the missing documents.

Passport valid for at least 8 months (original + a copy of every page in PDF)
Employment contract signed by both parties (original or notarised copy)
CV in Europass format, signed by you
Job description (completed and signed by the employer)
Qualification certificates with MQRIC recognition (where required)
Proof that the vacancy was advertised: the advertisement published for at least 2 weeks on the Maltese labour market within the 2 months before filing
Medical examination certificate (for the initial application; carried out by the HPDP)
Health insurance policy with cover of at least €100,000, valid for the whole period of residence
Proof of accommodation: a rental agreement or a title deed
For renewal: the annual tax return, certified by the Inland Revenue Department
For SEI: proof of work experience (employment contracts, employment record book, reference letters with dates and contact details)

How the process runs

The process differs for KEI (5 working days) and SEI (15 working days).

1
The employer files the application through the portal
Day 0–1
The Maltese employer registers on the Expatriates Portal and completes the application on its own behalf. It selects the track: KEI (if the position is managerial/highly technical, salary €45,000+) or SEI (specialist, €30,000+). It uploads the employment contract, the job description and proof that the vacancy was advertised.
2
You confirm the details and upload your documents
Day 1–7
Once invited by the employer, you register on the portal, confirm its details and upload your own documents: passport, CV, certificates, health insurance policy, proof of accommodation. For SEI you add proof of experience (where required).
3
Document check and medical examination
Day 2–7
Identità checks that the document package is complete. You are referred for a medical examination at the HPDP (for the initial application). Notification comes by email with the date and instructions for booking. The examination is usually scheduled within 1–2 weeks.
4
Assessment of the application (KEI: 5 days, SEI: 15 days)
5 or 15 working days
The clock starts from the date all documents are filed in full. KEI is assessed in 5 working days, SEI in 15 working days. The decision comes by email.
5
Collecting the permit
Day 5–20
If the decision is positive, you will be notified to collect the printed permit. Collection is at the Identità office in Valletta. The fee is paid at this stage (€600 for KEI, €300 for SEI). The permit is issued as a sticker in the passport.
6
Starting work and residence in Malta
After the permit is issued
The permit takes effect as soon as the sticker is placed in your passport. You may start work with the sponsoring employer and live in Malta. The permit is valid for 1 year. File a renewal application 90 days before it expires (€150 a year).

Who you can bring with you

Close family members (spouse, children under 18 and sometimes adult dependants) may apply to join you after your arrival or at the same time as your own application.

Spouse (aged 21+, monogamous marriage)

The sponsor needs a gross annual income of at least €50,000 + one dependant. A health insurance policy (minimum €100,000) for the family member. A fee of €50 is paid for each family member.

Children under 18 (including adopted children) and unmarried adult children who are fully dependent

For each additional family member the sponsor must have a further €6,000 of gross annual income. Each needs their own health insurance policy. School-age children: an application for private schooling in Malta.

Adult family members who are fully financially or physically dependent

Assessed individually. Proof of dependence is required (medical certificates, financial documents). At least €50,000 for the sponsor + €6,000 per dependant.

Renewal and the grace period

The permit is renewable for up to 3 years provided you continue to meet the eligibility criteria (salary, qualifications, a contract valid for the whole period). The application is filed online 90 days before the permit expires (or 30 days if a medical examination is needed). Renewal fee: €150 a year. Documents: a copy of the tax return certified by the Inland Revenue Department; a copy of the employment contract (if it has changed); a current health insurance policy. A medical examination is required every year before renewal.

How it differs from the routes next to it

The comparison is built from the official terms of the routes themselves — the source links sit on their own pages.

	Programmes for specialists	Permanent residence	Nomad permit
Visa term	Issued initially for 1 year; renewable up to 3 years	Permanent status subject to compliance; property for 5 years	Up to 1 year, renewable up to 3 years in total
Grounds	High qualifications	Property + government contribution	Remote income
Work	Yes — work for a specific employer	Does not in itself grant the right to work; a separate permit is required (Single Permit)	Remote work for foreign employers only
Residence	Residence in Malta	No minimum presence requirement	Actual residence in Malta

What comes next: permanent residence and citizenship

Route to permanent residence

Through long-term residence/naturalisation (not automatic)

Route to citizenship

There is no direct route; general naturalisation

Frequently asked questions about Programmes for specialists

What is the difference between KEI and SEI?

KEI (Key Employee Initiative) is intended for executives or senior specialists in technical fields with a minimum salary of €45,000 a year. KEI is processed in 5 working days. SEI (Specialist Employee Initiative) is for highly technical specialists without a managerial role, with a minimum of €30,000 a year, and requires MQF 6+ or 3+ years of experience in the field. SEI is processed in 15 working days. Fees: KEI €600, SEI €300.

Can I work for other employers once I hold a KEI/SEI permit?

No. The permit is issued for a specific employer and a specific position. If you change employer or position, you must notify Identità at singlepermit.identita@gov.mt and file an application for the change. Working without notifying them of the change may lead to the permit being cancelled.

What are the medical requirements?

A health insurance policy with minimum cover of €100,000 for medical treatment in Malta and other EU countries is mandatory, valid for the whole period of stay. Each family member needs their own policy. On the initial application a medical examination is carried out through the HPDP (Malta Health Services). A new examination is required at each annual renewal. The cost of the policy depends on age and on the insurer.

Does KEI/SEI lead to permanent residence or citizenship?

There is no direct route. After 5 years of continuous lawful residence in Malta you may apply for long-term residence (which requires stable income, your own accommodation and compliance with integration requirements). Long-term residence is a permanent status issued for 5 years. Maltese citizenship requires naturalisation under the naturalisation legislation, which has separate requirements and procedures not automatically linked to a work permit.

Do I need a visa before filing a KEI/SEI application?

No. Nationals of most countries can enter Malta without a visa for tourism and complete the permit formalities on the spot. A confirmed employment contract from a Maltese employer is required, however. In some cases, if you file while outside Malta, a C visa may be needed (permission to stay in order to complete the work permit formalities). Check the requirements for your nationality at identita.gov.mt.

How long does the application take to process?

KEI: 5 working days from the date all documents are filed in full. SEI: 15 working days from the date of filing. Note that the clock starts only once the portal is no longer requesting further documents. If documents are incomplete or unclear, processing is suspended until the point is clarified.

Other ways to move to Malta

Every route in one list — migration programmes: Malta.

The terms and the amounts are checked against official sources — the link sits under each section.Last checked on: 8 August 2026.