Malta

If you are not an EU/EEA citizen, you need a residence permit that allows you to work. The main routes:

• Single Permit – the standard combined residence and work permit for a specific job: first application €600, renewal €150 a year; usually valid for 1 year, processing can take up to 4 months.
• Key Employee Initiative – a fast track for managerial and highly technical jobs paying at least €45,000 gross a year.
• Specialist Employee Initiative – for skilled professionals earning at least €30,000 gross a year with an MQF level 6 qualification (or a lower qualification plus at least 3 years’ relevant experience).
• EU Blue Card – for graduates (or people with equivalent experience) with a salary of at least 1.5 times Malta’s average gross annual salary (rule since August 2025); the job must first be advertised for at least two weeks.

Fees and thresholds as published in October 2026. All permits are explained by Identità – working and residing in Malta.