Work while studying in Malta 2026: 20 hrs/week, Jobsplus, post-study work

What you can and cannot do

As a non-EU student with valid Maltese residence card:

• ✅ Work up to 20 hours/week during academic term
• ✅ Work full-time during scheduled holidays (Christmas, Easter, summer)
• ✅ Work in any sector (with employer licence)
• ✅ Self-employment with appropriate licence
• ❌ Work without Jobsplus licence (illegal — fines for both worker and employer)
• ❌ Exceed 20 hours/week during term (residence card revocation risk)
• ❌ Government employment (restricted to EU nationals)

Jobsplus work licence — step by step

Jobsplus is Malta's public employment service. Every non-EU student worker needs a Jobsplus licence before starting work.

Application process

1. Find employer willing to hire you
2. Sign provisional employment offer letter
3. Employer submits Jobsplus application online (CEA Form) — they do this, not you
4. Jobsplus reviews application (7-14 working days)
5. Licence issued — you can start work the next day

The licence is tied to that specific employer + role. Change jobs = new licence required. Cost: free. Validity: tied to your residence card validity.

Top-paying sectors for students

Realistic monthly earnings

20 hours × €11/hour × 4.3 weeks = €946 gross/month.

After tax (typically 0% for students under €9,100/year + 15% above): net €800-1,000/month.

This covers shared accommodation (€280-400) + food (€180-220) + transport (€26). Leaves €200-400 for social/savings.

Holiday periods (Christmas 2 weeks, Easter 2 weeks, summer 12 weeks = ~16 weeks/year) can earn full-time at ~€1,800-2,200/month.

Realistic annual income: €11K-15K combining term + holiday work.

Tax and social security

Maltese tax for students:

• €0-9,100/year: 0% tax (Maltese personal allowance + student status)
• €9,101-14,500: 15% on the portion above €9,100
• €14,501-19,500: 25%
• €19,500+: 25-35% progressive scale

Social security: employer deducts SSC (~10% of gross). You can apply for partial refunds on departure if you return to non-EU.

Tax filing: annual return via IRD Malta portal, due June following tax year. Most students owe €0-€600/year.

How to find work in Malta

• Jobsplus portal — jobsplus.gov.mt, all licensed jobs listed
• Igaming companies direct careers pages — LeoVegas, Tipico, Betsson, Kindred, Multilotto, Pinnacle
• LinkedIn Malta — most relevant for white-collar work, especially igaming + finance
• Indeed.com.mt — local job aggregator
• WhatsApp/Facebook groups — "Indian Students in Malta", "Pakistani Welfare Association" share gig opportunities
• Walking applications for hospitality — go restaurant-to-restaurant in Sliema/St Julian's with CV
• University career centers — UoM and MCAST both have placement programs
• Recruitment agencies — Konnekt, Castille, ETC for igaming + finance roles

Contracts and worker rights

All workers in Malta (including students) are protected by Maltese employment law:

• Written contract within 8 weeks of starting
• Minimum wage €975/month (full-time, 2026 rate). Pro-rated for part-time.
• 15+ days annual leave (paid)
• Public holidays paid
• Sick leave (medical certificate required)
• Maximum 48-hour week (you're capped at 20 anyway during term)
• Protection from discrimination on origin, religion, gender

For complaints: Department for Industrial and Employment Relations (DIER) — free dispute resolution service.

Post-study work visa pathway

After graduation, you have multiple options:

1. 6-month job-search permit — Automatic right. Use to find skilled employment.
2. Single Permit — Combined work + residence. Required for any post-graduate employment.
3. EU Blue Card — Salary ≥ €58K + STEM/healthcare. Better EU mobility.
4. Self-employment / startup founder visa — Possible with business plan + initial capital.
5. Continue studies — Master's, PhD, MCAST higher diploma. Stay on student status.

Most non-EU MCAST/UoM graduates land Maltese employment within 3-6 months of graduation. Igaming sector alone employs 12,000+ people and recruits internationally.

FAQ