Understanding Malta’s Social Security System for Expats
A practical guide for expats explaining how Malta's social security system works, what benefits to expect, and the steps newcomers…
Understanding Malta’s Social Security System for Expats
A practical guide for expats explaining how Malta's social security system works, what benefits to expect, and the steps newcomers should take when starting work on the island.
Check your payslip every month — it's the easiest way to confirm contributions are being made correctly.
In Malta many employers add private health or pension benefits; treat these as part of your total compensation package.
Why Malta’s social security matters for expats
Understanding how Malta's social security system works is essential for anyone taking a job here — whether you're joining an iGaming firm in St Julian's, a bank in Valletta, or a hospitality team in Sliema. Social security affects your access to public healthcare, contributory pensions, sickness and maternity pay, and certain unemployment benefits, and it also determines employer and employee responsibilities.
Because Malta is a small island with a concentrated job market and many international employers (shared-service centres, finance houses, startup hubs), knowing where social protection sits in your employment package helps you negotiate terms, check payslips, and plan for life on the island or a potential move to Gozo.
- Social security links to healthcare access, pensions and contributory benefits.
- Both employees and employers usually make contributions; self-employed people handle contributions differently.
- Local knowledge matters — ask HR about how contributions appear on your payslip.
How contributions work: employees, employers and the self-employed
In broad terms, social security systems are funded by contributions from employees and employers, and self-employed people make their own payments. In Malta, employers generally deduct employee contributions at source and pay their share directly to the authorities, so your payslip should show the amounts deducted.
If you're self-employed or doing contract work (common among digital nomads and some iGaming professionals), you'll typically register yourself and pay contributions directly. Knowing whether your contract is PAYE, self-employed or a fixed-term contract affects both tax and social security treatment.
Always check your payslip and ask HR or your payroll provider to explain the entries. Small errors can happen, particularly with international hires or remote-working arrangements across different tax jurisdictions.
- Employees: contributions usually deducted by employer (check payslip).
- Employers: responsible for remitting employer share and providing accurate employment records.
- Self-employed: register separately and fulfil contribution obligations directly.
- Contractors: confirm whether you're treated as employee or self-employed for social security purposes.
Benefits covered: what expats can expect
Typical contributory benefits include access to public healthcare services, entitlement to a state pension based on contributions, sickness benefits, maternity leave/pay, and certain disability or invalidity benefits. The exact eligibility can depend on contribution history and the nature of your employment.
For many expats working in Malta's key sectors — finance in Valletta, iGaming in St Julian's, tourism across the coast — employer-provided private health cover and pension top-ups are common. These private schemes sit alongside public social security entitlements and are worth comparing when assessing a job offer.
If you plan to retire or move back to another EU country, check how your Maltese contribution record might transfer or be recognised under international agreements. For non-EU countries, reciprocal arrangements vary and should be confirmed in advance.
- Healthcare access (public services) — often linked to contribution status.
- Contributory state pension — based on contributions and residency history.
- Sickness, maternity and family benefits — eligibility may require a contribution record.
- Employer-provided private health or pension benefits are common in sectors like finance and iGaming.
EU vs non‑EU expats: residency, permits and reciprocal rules
EU/EEA and Swiss citizens generally have different administrative steps compared with non-EU nationals. EU citizens exercising free movement have rights that affect residence and social security coverage, while non-EU nationals often start by checking their visa and work permit conditions and how these interact with social protection.
Reciprocal agreements between Malta and other countries can affect contributions and benefit entitlements — for example, where contributions in another EU country are considered when assessing pension rights. Because rules and bilateral agreements change, always consult official government sources or your employer's HR team for up-to-date guidance.
- EU nationals: check residence registration and how EU rules apply to social security.
- Non-EU nationals: confirm how permits and visas affect contribution obligations and access.
- Look into bilateral agreements if you have contribution histories in other countries.
Practical steps: registering, documentation and checking payslips
When you start a job in Malta, ask your employer or HR about the registration steps for social security and whether they will register you or require documentation from you. Typical documents to have ready include your passport, proof of address in Malta, contract of employment and any previous national insurance/social security records.
Check your payslip each month. It should show gross pay, tax deductions, and social security contributions. If numbers look unfamiliar, request a simple explanation from payroll. If you're moving between employers (common in a vibrant market of iGaming and shared services), ensure there are no gaps in your contribution record.
For official forms, up-to-date guidance and to confirm requirements specific to your situation, refer to Malta's government portals or speak to Jobsplus or your employer's HR. Avoid relying on outdated third-party guides for legal specifics.
- Documents to prepare: passport, proof of address, employment contract, previous contribution records.
- Check monthly payslips for contribution entries and employer remittances.
- Ask HR to confirm whether they register you or if you need to self-register.
- Keep digital copies of registration documents and correspondence.
Common pitfalls and a 90‑day action plan for newcomers
A few mistakes are common among newly arrived expats: not checking payslips, assuming private health cover replaces public entitlement, or missing registration steps after changing jobs. Small oversights can affect future pension entitlements or access to contributory benefits.
To get started, follow a simple 30/60/90 day plan: in the first 30 days confirm your registration and payslip entries, by 60 days collect any missing documents and ask HR about employer benefits, and by 90 days review your contribution record and consider how private pension or health cover complements public benefits — especially if you work in transient sectors like tourism.
- First 30 days: confirm social security registration and review your first payslip.
- 30–60 days: gather historic contribution records (if moving from another country) and clarify employer benefits.
- 60–90 days: assess gaps, consider private pension/health top-ups, and plan long-term contribution strategy.
- Avoid assuming verbal promises — get benefit details in writing from HR.
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