Malta Labour Policy Rollout: New Course for TCNs

Up until now, third-country nationals (TCNs) in Malta could renew their residence permits for two years without any major hurdles, with no new course requirements standing in the way. As long as employment was in place, the process was largely administrative, with the option to extend the permit simply by paying for an additional year (€150 more). For many, this became the norm, and a fairly straightforward one at that.

Following the introduction of the pre-departure course, which officially came into force on 1 March 2026 for all new TCN applicants, there is now another layer being added. This time, it is not before arrival, but during the stay.

The latest policy changes, however, are starting to shift that expectation. The latest policy changes are now starting to shift that expectation. The measures were announced during a press conference by Deputy Prime Minister Ian Borg and Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri, who stated that: “Workers who come to Malta must be adequately prepared for life and work in the country,” adding that the burden of adaptation should not fall disproportionately on Maltese society.

A New Requirement for Longer Renewals

As part of Malta’s Labour Migration Policy rollout, the government is introducing a mandatory integration course for TCNs already living and working in Malta.

The course is expected to include:

An assessment or exam is also expected at the end.

From Simple Renewals to Conditional Renewals

The most notable shift is not the introduction of the course itself, but how it changes the logic behind renewals. What was previously a straightforward administrative process is now moving toward a more conditional framework.

While one-year renewals are expected to remain in place, extending permits to two or three years may increasingly depend on completing the integration course and passing the required assessment. This introduces a new layer to the system, where longer permits are no longer automatic but tied to meeting specific requirements.

In practice, this means that integration, participation and compliance are becoming part of the renewal decision, not just employment status.

Where the Uncertainty Lies

While the policy direction is becoming clearer, a number of practical questions remain unanswered.

For example:

At this stage, there is no clear guidance on how these scenarios will be handled.

Different Rules for Highly Skilled TCNs

Highly skilled workers, including those under the Key Employee Initiative, Specialist Employee Initiative, EU Blue Card and roles on the Skilled Occupation List, are not expected to follow the same rules. Based on current policy direction, they will still be able to obtain longer residence permits of up to three years without needing to complete the integration course, as long as they meet the required salary levels and employment conditions. In simple terms, the new course requirement is aimed primarily at lower and mid-skilled roles, while highly skilled applicants continue to benefit from a more straightforward renewal process.

What Comes Next

As the rollout continues, more detailed implementation guidelines are expected. For now, both TCNs and employers are left navigating a transition period, where the system is clearly changing, but not yet fully defined. One important point often missed in the discussion is that not all TCNs are treated the same under the new policy.

This is something we will be following closely, particularly as it begins to affect real renewal cases in practice, follow us on our social channels to stay informed.

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