What Is a Single Permit in Malta & How Does It Work?

For many non-EU nationals who wish to live and work in Malta, the Single Permit is the main route to regular employment-based residence.

It is a practical and widely used route, but it is important to understand what it does — and what it does not do. A Single Permit is not an independent or investment-based residence solution in the same way as some investment-based programs, such as Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP), or special tax status residence programmes like Global Residence Programme (GRP). It is a temporary permit linked to a specific job, a specific employer and continued compliance with Maltese employment and immigration rules.

The Single Permit application procedure incorporates vetting and issuance of a residence permit by Identità, while the employment and labour market side of the process is reviewed by Jobsplus.

Identità is the Maltese government agency responsible for identity management, passports, residence documentation, and expatriate-related services.

For non-EU nationals applying to live and work in Malta, Identità is the key authority that receives and processes Single Permit applications, issues physical eResidence cards, and manages the administrative side of employment-based residence. If a third-country national is applying for a Single Permit, changing employers, renewing a card, or modifying their immigration status, Identità the main processing authority for the immigration and residence side of the application.

Jobsplus is Malta’s public employment service. It oversees employment registration, recruitment support, training initiatives, and labour market checks.

In the context of the Single Permit, Jobsplus is involved in the employment-compliance side of the process. This includes vacancy advertising and labour market testing requirements, employment registration, and checks that employment conditions comply with applicable rules.

In simple terms: Identità deals mainly with the immigration and residence side, while Jobsplus deals with the employment law and labour market compliance side.

A Single Permit is a combined residence and work permit for third-country nationals (TCNs) who wish to work in Malta.

It allows a non-EU national to reside legally in Malta for the sole purpose of working for a particular Maltese employer in a particular role. It is called a “Single Permit” because it brings together two distinct components via a single application line: the right to reside in Malta and the authorisation to work in the approved role.

The Single Permit is strictly for third-country nationals — meaning citizens who do not belong to the EU, EEA, or Switzerland — who hold a valid, verified job offer from a company operating in Malta.

It is commonly used where a Maltese company wishes to employ a non-EU national and the role satisfies the applicable labour market and employment requirements.

The Single Permit application process is employer-led. The applications may only be submitted by the employer, except for live-in carers, who may apply directly provided the application is endorsed by the employer.

In most cases, an individual applicant cannot independently apply for a Single Permit. There must be a specific Maltese company willing to sponsor the worker, justify the hire, and upload the formal employment contract.

In principle, an application may be submitted when the third-country national is still abroad or legally staying in Malta or another Schengen State. However, current policy imposes important restrictions. Applications from persons in Malta on visas that do not allow work, such as tourist visas, are generally rejected, subject to limited exceptions. For visa-exempt nationals, specific timing rules apply.

Whether a candidate can apply while physically present in Malta depends on their entry/visa status and the official guidance.

The course is required for first-time Single Permit applicants, and from 1 March 2026 the certificate is formally verified as part of the work permit process for new and still-abroad third-country nationals. Current or previous Single Permit holders are generally exempt, unless applying again as first-time applicants after leaving the Schengen Area or through a Still Abroad application.

The course ensures incoming workers meet minimum standards in skills, English language and cultural awareness.

It serves as Malta’s official method of confirming that new workers are prepared for the workplace and capable of integrating into the community.

A valid Pre-Departure Course Certificate will be required for all first-time Single Permit applications.

The Single Permit is generally renewed annually, or it can be re-issued for a longer term subject to conditions, and the administrative process follows the same Single Permit procedure. Upon renewal, it can be extended for up to 3 years depending on the employment contract.

A change of employer requires a Change of Employer application. A change in role or job title under the same employer may require a Change of Designation application.

The cost of a first-time Single Permit application is €600. A Change of Employer application also costs €600, while a Change of Designation (changing job titles under the same employer) is €300. Annual renewals are set at a reduced rate of €150 per year. To protect vital social sectors, fees for all health sector occupations, elderly care, and disability care roles are capped at a flat €150 across all application types.

If the employment relationship ends, including where employment is terminated, there is an initial 30-day grace period, with the possibility of a further 30 days subject to conditions such as financial self-sufficiency.

This window is intended to allow the worker to seek another eligible employer and, where applicable, submit a Change of Employer application.

• Combined Status: It legalizes both residence and employment within a single, unified administrative card.
• Potential for Renewals: Single Permits can be renewed where the legal requirements continue to be met. However, the duration of any renewal depends on the applicable route and the rules in force at the time, so applicants should not assume a 2-year or 3-year outcome in every case.

• EU Long-Term Resident status: A TCN who has lived legally and continuously in Malta for five years, including under a Single Permit, may apply for long-term residence status in Malta, provided they meet the applicable conditions, including stable resources, accommodation and integration requirements.

• Employer Dependence: The permit is strictly bound to a specific employer. If the relationship ends, your legal basis for staying in Malta will be affected.
• Geographic Restriction: The card grants standard Schengen tourist travel rights (90 days within a 180-day window), but it does not give the right to move, live, or work in any other EU member state.

• Processing time: the path from the start of the application to residence card in hand can be long.

• Not Permanent Residence: It is a temporary, employment-dependent permit. For eligible individuals seeking residence security independent of a job, alternative frameworks such as the Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP), the Global Residence Programme (GRP), or another suitable residence route may be more appropriate.

While a Single Permit holder can relocate with family members, it requires careful strategy. Family members do not automatically receive derivative rights to live or work.

They must apply under Malta’s family reunification rules, which include separate requirements relating to income, accommodation and documentation.

Because the primary applicant’s right to stay is linked to their job, family stability remains dependent on the main employment relationship.

Some of the popular routes for eligible non-EU/non-EEA/Swiss nationals are Malta Permanent Residence Programme and Global Residence Programme: