Malta EU Blue Card
Malta's EU Blue Card is issued under Subsidiary Legislation 217.27, the Highly Qualified Employment Regulations, implementing Directive (EU) 2021/1883, and is separate from the general Single Permit under S.L. 217.17. It requires a university degree at MQF Level 6 or higher or at least five years of proven professional experience, a binding employment contract or job offer of at least six months, and a salary of at least 1.5 times the average gross annual salary in Malta. A first card runs up to 24 months and a renewal up to 36; a holder who loses the job has three months to find another that meets Blue Card criteria.
Core requirements
The EU Blue Card is a residence and work permit issued to highly qualified third-country nationals offered highly skilled employment in Malta. It is granted under Subsidiary Legislation 217.27, the Conditions of Entry and Residence of Third-Country Nationals for the Purpose of Highly Qualified Employment Regulations, implementing Directive (EU) 2021/1883, and is separate from the general Single Permit under S.L. 217.17. The full text is published at legislation.mt/eli/sl/217.27/eng/pdf.
The applicant must be a highly qualified professional: holding a university degree at MQF Level 6 or higher, or having at least five years of proven professional experience in their field.
The applicant must hold a binding employment contract or job offer for at least six months in Malta.
The salary offered must be at least 1.5 times the average gross annual salary in Malta.
"Highly qualified employment" requires advanced theoretical and practical knowledge, must fall under ISCO major groups 1, 2 or 3 — managers, professionals, and technicians and associate professionals — and must require a relevant academic qualification or equivalent professional experience.
A first issue runs for up to 24 months (two years), or the contract duration plus three months; a renewal can be issued for up to 36 months (three years).
Work may not start as soon as the application is filed. It may begin only once an interim receipt with authorisation to work has been received, or the physical EU Blue Card residence permit has been issued.
Since 1 October 2025, before submitting New or Still Abroad applications the employer must advertise the role on both the Jobsplus portal and EURES: three weeks within the two months before submission for standard roles, reduced to two weeks for EU Blue Card roles alongside KEI, SEI and Skilled Occupation List roles. The health sector, elderly and disability carers, regulator-endorsed cases such as Malta Enterprise, CAD and Gaming Malta, sportspersons, and change-of-employer applications are exempt.
A holder who loses their job must inform Identità and has up to three months to find a new job that meets Blue Card criteria; if they do not, the permit may be revoked.
Changing employer within the grace period requires filing the Change in Employer Single Permit and meeting all standard conditions. For terminations from 1 August 2025 the initial grace period is 30 days to remain in Malta and seek new employment, extendable by a further 30 days (60 in total) on proof of financial self-sufficiency; beyond 60 days the holder must regularise their status or depart.
The EU Blue Card covers only highly qualified employment with a single employer; the holder may not conduct self-employment or freelance work under it.
Time spent working in Malta on a Blue Card counts towards the five-year EU long-term residence requirement, as long as the holder remains legally resident.
Trainees, students, or those who failed their studies may apply directly for a Blue Card only if they meet all legal requirements — particularly the qualification level, salary threshold and employment contract conditions; failing a degree or not meeting the salary criteria makes an applicant ineligible.
An application may be refused where the salary or qualifications do not meet the legal thresholds, the employer is not legally registered or compliant with Jobsplus, the applicant is a threat to public policy, security or health, or documents are falsified or incomplete.
Under the general requirements of the subsidiary legislation to Cap. 217, any permit or relevant foreign document submitted must be translated into English by an authorised translator and, where required, legalised or apostilled.
The permit remains valid only while the main criteria — designation, employer and duration — continue to be met. If they are not, the third-country national must notify the authorities and the permit may be revoked; failing to do so violates Cap. 217. Anyone leaving Malta permanently or resigning should have themselves or their employer inform Identità, as failure to do so may result in future application refusals or complications.
Official sources
- Frequently asked questions — Expatriates: non-EU employmentIdentità, Malta · Reviewed 2026-09-06
How immigration works in Malta — the process in order, the current figures with their dates, and what commonly blocks an application.
General educational information only, not personalized immigration or legal advice. Requirements can change; confirm them with the responsible government authority before acting. Next scheduled review: 2026-12-06.