Gozo is steadily strengthening its position as a flexible employment hub through the Gozo Telework Scheme, an initiative managed by the Ministry for Gozo and Planning. This scheme helps businesses retain Gozitan-resident employees by subsidising part of their salary and reimbursing basic equipment costs related to remote work.
For employers operating from Malta, telework scheme offers a practical way to adopt hybrid models, ease inter-island commuting pressures, and support sustainable employment while benefitting from government aid designed specifically for Gozo’s workforce.
What the Gozo Telework Scheme Offers
According to the official information published on Invest Gozo, the scheme provides two main benefits to eligible employers:
- Salary Refund – A partial reimbursement of the employee’s wage, proportional to the amount of telework performed, capped at €10,000 per employee over a three-year period.
- Technology Grant – A one-time reimbursement covering 75% of the cost of approved telework equipment (a notebook or PC and a printer/scanner), up to €850 in total.
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Employers who benefitted under the previous 2020–2023 edition may reapply for the new scheme, but will only be eligible for the salary refund component, as the equipment reimbursement can be granted once per employee.
Critères d'éligibilité
The scheme is open to employers based in Malta or with business premises on the island, who employ staff residing in Gozo and whose duties can be performed effectively from home.
To qualify:
- The employee must be a resident of Gozo.
- The role must be suitable for remote work without reducing performance.
- A formal telework agreement or plan must outline the number of remote days and duties performed from home.
- Both parties must comply with employment and data protection obligations.
💡 Who it’s for in one line:
Designed mainly for Malta-based employers who wish to let Gozitan employees work remotely from their homes in Gozo.
Note: The measure aims to reduce daily commuting between Malta and Gozo. While Gozo-based companies are not excluded, the incentive is primarily intended for employers located on the main island offering telework opportunities to their Gozitan staff.
Financial Details and Reimbursement Rules
The salary refund is calculated in proportion to telework time. For example, an employee who works 50% remotely will trigger a 50% refund within the overall €10,000 cap across three years.
The equipment reimbursement covers only essential telework tools:
- One notebook or desktop computer, and
- One printer with scanning capabilities.
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The grant covers 75% of total cost (up to €850) and applies once per employee. Other office items or peripherals are not eligible.
Processus de candidature
Applications are submitted online via the MyGozo portal operated by the Ministry for Gozo and Planning. Funding is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis until the annual budget is exhausted.
Documents typically required include:
- A copy of the employment contract and employee’s ID card
- The employee’s Jobsplus Employment History
- A signed teleworking plan and agreement
- Invoices and proof of payment for equipment purchased
- A completed state-aid declaration form
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Employers should maintain accurate records of telework days and ensure that all equipment purchased is eligible under the scheme.
NACE Codes and Business Eligibility
All applicants must provide their NACE Rev. 2 code during the application process. This code identifies the company’s main economic activity and is used to classify eligibility under EU state-aid frameworks.
Examples include:
- J62 – Computer programming, consultancy and related activities
- M70 – Management consultancy and professional services
- G46–G47 – Wholesale and retail trade
- N82 – Administrative and support service activities
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The scheme is considered sector-neutral — meaning most business types can apply, provided they meet the residency and teleworking criteria. Applicants should still verify any sector-specific restrictions listed in the official scheme guidelines at the time of submission.
Benefits for Employers and Employees
The Gozo Telework Scheme delivers value to both sides of the employment relationship:
- For employers: it reduces the cost of remote work arrangements, supports staff retention, and encourages long-term workforce stability.
- For employees: it improves work-life balance, cuts travel time and costs, and enables professionals to live in Gozo while remaining employed with Malta-based companies.
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The initiative also aligns with Malta’s long-term policy objective of fostering sustainable employment and decentralised economic growth between the islands.
Other Incentive Schemes Supporting Gozo’s Workforce and Businesses
The Gozo Telework Scheme forms part of a wider strategy to strengthen Gozo’s economy and attract sustainable employment across sectors. Several other targeted incentives are available for employers and entrepreneurs who wish to grow their operations on the island.
For example, the Programme d'aide aux transports de Gozo helps manufacturing companies offset the additional inter-island logistics costs when shipping goods or materials between Gozo and Malta, a vital measure for smaller enterprises that face higher ferry and haulage expenses. Meanwhile, the Supporting Knowledge-Based Sectors in Gozo Scheme encourages investment in IT, professional services, and research activities by offering partial salary and training cost reimbursements for skilled staff.
Gozo-based employers creating stable, long-term jobs can also benefit from the Supporting Sustainable Quality Employment in Gozo Scheme, which rewards the creation of new full-time roles through salary reimbursements over a three-year period.
Together, these programmes complement the telework initiative by reducing operational costs, supporting innovation, and encouraging more people to work — and stay in Gozo.
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In summary, the Gozo Telework Scheme offers Maltese employers a straightforward way to support remote work for Gozitan staff through partial salary refunds and essential equipment grants.
Why This Scheme Matters for Employers
The Gozo Telework Scheme reflects Malta’s ongoing commitment to flexible, regional employment opportunities. It is a practical tool for companies on the main island looking to retain skilled Gozitan staff while minimising commuting pressures and improving productivity through remote work.
Employers are encouraged to review the official guidance on InvestGozo et Servizz.gov, prepare documentation in advance, and ensure that their NACE codes and telework agreements are properly aligned with scheme requirements.
For advice on eligibility, state aid rules, or the tax implications, contact us today.
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