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Employment guide

Hire and pay employees
in Malta

Employment law, payroll compliance, taxes, benefits, and hiring requirements for Malta — curated and reviewed by Remote&.

Capital
Valletta
Currency
€ Euro (EUR)
Working Hours
40 hours per week
Min. salary
01 — Country basics

Malta at a glance

Capital
Valletta
Language
Maltese and English
Currency
€ Euro (EUR)
Working Hours
40 hours per week
Public Holidays
14 days per year
Tax Year
Jan 1 – Dec 31
Worker misclassification risk
Misclassifying an employee as a contractor in Malta carries legal and financial consequences including retroactive social security contributions, back payment of employment entitlements, and regulatory penalties. Malta's employment law is governed by the Employment and Industrial Relations Act (EIRA), which sets out clear standards for employment relationships.
02 — Tax obligations

Taxes in Malta

Employer Contributions

Total employer social security: 10% of gross salary

Contribution TypeRate
Social security (Class 1)10%

Note: Total employer contribution is capped at a weekly maximum based on government-set contribution bands.

Employer contributions

Total employer social security: 10% of gross salary

Contribution TypeRate
Social security (Class 1)10%

Note: Total employer contribution is capped at a weekly maximum based on government-set contribution bands.

Employee contributions

Income tax: 0%–35% | Social security: 10%

Contribution TypeRate
Social security (Class 1)10%
Income tax0% – 35%
Income tax brackets
Taxable Income (EUR)Rate
€0 – €9,1000%
€9,101 – €14,50015%
€14,501 – €19,50025%
Over €19,50035%

Note: Malta also provides single, married, and parent rates with different bracket thresholds.

03 — Remote& EOR

Employer of Record in Malta

How Remote& EOR Works

Remote& acts as the legal employer of your Maltese workers — handling social security contributions, payroll, statutory benefits, and employment contracts while you direct the work.

PartyRole
Your CompanyManages work tasks, performance, and team direction
Remote&Runs payroll, files social security and tax, administers benefits, ensures EIRA compliance
EmployeeWorks for your company under a locally compliant Maltese contract

Ask Remi:

"Hire a UX designer in Valletta — €2,800/month, starting next quarter" Remi handles everything: contract, social security registration, payroll setup, and statutory leave enrollment.
04 — What employees receive

Benefits in Malta

Statutory
  • Social security (Class 1): Mandatory. 10% employer + 10% employee on gross salary, subject to weekly caps
  • Statutory bonuses: Employees are entitled to two statutory bonus payments per year — a cost-of-living allowance (COLA) adjustment and a productivity bonus
Common additional
  • Private health insurance
  • Performance bonuses
  • Remote work equipment
  • Professional development budget
  • Gym or wellness allowance
  • Meal allowance
05 — Time away from work

Leave entitlements

Leave typeEntitlement
Paid Annual Leave24 working days + 14 public holidays
Sick LeaveUp to 2 weeks paid sick leave per year, depending on service length
Maternity Leave18 weeks
Paternity Leave2 days
Parental Leave4 months unpaid (per parent)
06 — Contracts & rights

Employment conditions

Probation

Probation periods in Malta are typically 6 months for standard roles and up to 12 months for managerial or technical positions. Terms must be included in the employment contract.

Written Employment Terms

Maltese law requires employers to provide a written statement of employment conditions within 8 days of the start of employment, covering role, salary, working hours, notice periods, and applicable collective agreements.

Employee Rights & Protections

Maltese workers are entitled to: written employment contract, equal pay and anti-discrimination protection, safe and healthy working conditions, whistleblower protection, GDPR data protection, unfair dismissal protection, and union membership rights.

07 — Payroll cadence

Payments

Payment frequency
Monthly
Payday
End of each calendar month.
08 — Off-boarding

End of employment in Malta

Termination under EIRA must be based on valid grounds — redundancy, performance, conduct, or mutual agreement. Notice periods are determined by length of service:

  • Less than 1 month: 1 week
  • 1 month to 6 months: 2 weeks
  • 6 months to 2 years: 4 weeks
  • 2 to 4 years: 8 weeks
  • Beyond 4 years: 1 additional week per year, up to 12 weeks

Unfair dismissal claims may be brought before the Industrial Tribunal. Remedies include reinstatement or compensation.

09 — Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Four paths: run payroll from HQ for short-term arrangements; engage genuine independent contractors for project-based work; establish a Maltese entity for direct employment; or use Remote& as Employer of Record — the fastest compliant route without a local company.

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