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Malta

Employment Guide & Cultural Intelligence

Overview

Capital Valletta
Currency EUR
Language Maltese, English
Time Zone UTC+1 (CET)
GDP per Capita $33,500
Work Week 40 hours

Employment Basics

Standard Work Week 40 hours
Notice Period 1-12 weeks based on tenure
Probation Period 6 months
Overtime Rules 50% premium standard; varies by sector via wage councils
Termination Rules Cause required for indefinite contracts; reduced flexibility post-probation
Minimum Wage €213/week (~€925/mo) (2024)

Statutory Benefits

24
Annual Leave Days
14
Public Holidays
38
Total Paid Days Off
Parental Leave 18 weeks maternity (14 paid by employer); parental leave per parent
Sick Leave 2 weeks at full pay by employer + social security

Employer Cost Summary

10%
Employer Tax/Contribution Rate
Mandatory Insurance Social security (10% employer + employee), maternity trust fund
Retirement/Pension State pension; statutory age 65
Healthcare Universal public + private widely used

Cultural Intelligence

Communication Style

Bilingual (Maltese/English); polite, formal initially

Hierarchy

Moderate; family-business influence

Meeting Norms

Generally punctual; relationship-friendly; English widely used

Negotiation Approach

Pragmatic; small island makes reputation important

Gift Giving

Not expected in formal business; modest gestures appropriate

Taboos

Respect strong Catholic culture; small country dynamics

Hiring Tips

1 English is co-official — written business communication straightforward
2 iGaming and financial services dominate corporate landscape
3 Probation up to 6 months — useful for senior roles
4 Small market (~520K population) — talent competition intense in tech
5 Bonus payments mandated quarterly via statutory bonus system
Quick Facts
  • Work Week 40 hrs
  • Annual Leave 24 days
  • Public Holidays 14
  • Employer Burden 10%
  • Probation 6 months
  • Currency EUR
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