Malta has long positioned itself as an attractive destination for foreign labour, with third‑country nationals (TCNs) helping to plug shortages across sectors like hospitality, healthcare, and construction. Their presence has quietly supported the day-to-day functioning of many parts of the economy.
A series of new migration measures and stricter rules for employers suggest the government is trying to strike a new balance. But the question remains: can Malta keep its economy running without losing public support or the workers it depends on?
Malta’s 2025 Labour Migration Policy
In January 2025, the government unveiled a 32-point Labour Migration Policy designed to bring order to the labour market while keeping Malta open to skilled, reliable foreign talent. The message was clear: maintain access to needed workers, but with higher standards, stronger oversight, and better integration.
This comes as the government acknowledges that future growth in the local workforce is limited. Female participation is already among the highest in Europe, and the number of people on social benefits is at a record low. The government has also confirmed it will not raise the pension age. As a result, Malta will continue to rely on third-country nationals (TCNs) to fill essential roles. Alongside the new migration framework, the government is shifting its focus: from supporting projects that simply create jobs to backing those that build skills and add long-term value.
Reality Check
As part of the January, Labour Migration Policy, the government announced several updates to its approach to foreign workers, including a proposed reduction in work permit fees — lowering renewals to around €150 and to raise new applications to €600. However, these fee changes have not yet been implemented, and for now, every single work permit application still costs €300.
Another highly anticipated change is the promised extension of the grace period for Third-Country Nationals (TCNs) from 10 days to 30 calendar days. This refers to the time a foreign worker is legally allowed to remain in Malta to search for another job. Until now, workers had just 10 calendar days to either find new employment or leave the country – an extremely tight and stressful deadline, especially for those with families, rented housing, or ongoing commitments.
Extending this period to 30 days would give workers more breathing room to secure another job, sort out their paperwork, or prepare for departure in a more dignified way. For many, it could be the difference between staying legally in the country or falling into irregular status through no fault of their own.
Adding to the concerns, Times of Malta recently announced that from 2026, all newcomer Third-Country Nationals (TCNs) will be required to obtain a mandatory skills pass for any profession before starting work in Malta. This new requirement aims to ensure that incoming workers meet certain qualifications and skill levels. The announcement sparked lively debate across expat communities. Many expressed worry that the skills pass could make it harder for lower-skilled workers to enter Malta’s job market, potentially reducing opportunities for those who rely on sectors like hospitality, retail, and manual labour.
What Are Foreign Workers Saying?
On popular forums like the “Expats Malta”, and ”TCN Alliance Malta” Facebook groups, the mood is mixed. Many foreign workers love Malta’s lifestyle, weather, and opportunities but face frustration over bureaucratic delays, housing shortages, and social integration challenges.
The delay in implementing the 30-day grace period is a frequent complaint. Many TCNs feel stuck in limbo, unsure how long they can legally remain if their permits expire or if they lose their employment without the anticipated extension.
While TCNs still await the promised policy easing, the summer months have been especially frustrating. Work permit & Family Member renewals are taking longer than usual, leaving many anxious and unable to confidently plan their vacation or personal time. This unnecessary delay affects people’s basic rights to stability and time off, and many feel that government offices should respect clear time-frames for processing applications.
Many in expat groups are urging authorities for clear communication and support to help newcomers navigate these changes smoothly.
Combined with the unchanged permit fees, this has some workers feeling that Malta’s once warm welcome may be cooling off.
The Local Perspective
Many Maltese recognise the vital role foreign workers play in the economy, but concerns remain about overcrowding, pressure on healthcare, rising housing costs, and job competition. Public opinion reflects this tension: nearly half of respondents in a MaltaToday survey supported capping the number of foreign workers – a sentiment that has remained consistent since at least 2021, when 49.7% expressed support for such a limit.
Additionally, a separate MaltaToday survey from October 2024 showed rising concern about foreign workers. In that survey, 22.4 % listed it as their top worry – making it the leading concern, even ahead of inflation and traffic.
At the same time, employers are facing a different reality. Many express concern that the pending changes, along with added layers of bureaucracy, could slow down hiring, raise costs, and worsen labour shortages in critical sectors. The challenge for government is to balance these tensions: addressing the public’s call for more control while ensuring that businesses can continue to operate effectively.
This mix of appreciation and concern means policymakers must carefully balance economic needs with social realities.
What Does the Future Hold?
On 4 June, Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri announced in Parliament that Malta’s Labour Migration Policy would begin being implemented “in the coming days”. However, as of begging of July, no further official rollout or clarified timeline has been communicated.
Such delays are not unusual in Malta. As Camilleri himself noted, the government intends to introduce the new system gradually to avoid “shocking the system”. This phased approach often involves testing certain measures in selected sectors before applying them more broadly.
In addition, the 32-point policy spans several ministries: Home Affairs, JobsPlus, and Social Policy among them – which requires careful coordination of legal notices, administrative procedures, and implementation timelines. Finally, ongoing consultations with employers, unions, and civil society groups can lead to last-minute changes, further pushing back the rollout of specific measures.
For both workers and employers, these explanations offer little reassurance. Employers are left in the dark, unable to plan or budget with confidence, while foreign workers face ongoing uncertainty about their rights, residency, and what comes next.
The burden falls heaviest on the labour. Until the new 30-day rule is actually implemented, losing a job still means having just 10 days to leave the country — a source of immense stress. For those with families, homes, or children in school, the pressure is even greater. In this climate of uncertainty, some workers may feel unable to speak up about unfair treatment, fearing that any complaint could cost them their job and force a sudden return home. The risk of slipping into irregular status is real, and the emotional toll is high. Without clear rules and timely implementation, the system continues to leave many in a vulnerable position.
Malta’s new rules sound good on paper – but we’re still waiting to see them in action.
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