Pay and working conditions in European countries

Thinking about working in another European country? For each of 32 countries – all 27 EU countries plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom – you will find the key labour market figures, where the jobs are, how to apply, pay and working conditions, student jobs and what to do in your first weeks. General advice on job search, your CV and your rights: How to find a job abroad – 10 practical guides »

Found: 1

Malta

Minimum wage (2026): €229.44 a week for workers aged 18 and over, €222.66 at 17 and €219.82 at 16. Most wages are paid above this rate.
Extras: every employee is entitled to the statutory bonus and weekly allowance, and all employees receive an annual pay increase linked to the cost of living.
Working time: normally 40 hours a week; on average no more than 48 hours including overtime, unless you agree in writing. Overtime above 40 hours a week is paid at 1.5 times your normal rate.
Rest: at least 11 hours in a row every day, 24 hours every week and a 15-minute break if you work more than 6 hours.
Holidays: in 2026 a full-time employee (40 hours a week) gets 216 hours of paid leave, plus 14 public holidays.
Contract: your employer must give you the written terms no later than 7 days after you start, in English and/or Maltese. Wages are paid at least once a month. Probation is usually 6 months (up to 1 year for technical, executive or managerial posts paying more than twice the minimum wage).

Common questions about job applications and interviews

Key figures: Eurostat (population on 1 January 2026; unemployment and employment rates 2025; minimum wages July 2026); for the United Kingdom – Office for National Statistics; for Liechtenstein – national statistics. Country information: EURES – Living and working conditions, public employment services and the official government websites listed under each country. Rules, thresholds and amounts can change – check the official sources before you move. Updated: October 2026.

StudentNews Group Websites for students and future students — in Poland since 2007, across Europe since 2014. Over 50 websites and millions of users a year (Google Analytics). Studies in Europe Universities in Europe Bachelor’s Master’s Doctorate MBA Study guide Work abroad Travel For partners Advertising and cooperation Reach (online report) Contact advertising@studentnews.eu © 2003–2026 Grupa StudentNews.pl sp. z o.o., Modlnica, Poland