Malta Needs Foreign Workers From These Professions

Malta is experiencing labor shortages in 20 occupations, as highlighted by the 2023 EURES report on shortages and surpluses.

Key sectors affected include manufacturing, construction, healthcare, food service and hospitality, business and administration, and transportation, according to Schengen.News. With an estimated population of 542,051 in 2022, Malta relies on foreign workers to fill job vacancies across various fields.

This suggests that foreigners seeking to live and work in Malta have a higher likelihood of finding employment if they are qualified for any of these roles.

The latest EURES report identifies the following roles facing a worker shortage in Malta:

• Messengers, package deliverers, and luggage porters
• Manufacturing laborers not elsewhere classified
• Building construction laborers
• Cleaners and helpers in offices, hotels, and other establishments
• Car, taxi, and van drivers
• Security guards
• Healthcare assistants
• Childcare workers
• Shop sales assistants
• Bartenders
• Waiters
• Accounting and bookkeeping clerks
• Contact center information clerks
• Bookmakers, croupiers, and related gaming workers
• General office clerks
• Chefs
• Administrative and executive secretaries
• Office supervisors
• Business services and administration managers not elsewhere classified
• Managing directors and chief executives

On the other hand, Malta has not reported any surplus occupations, according to the report.

Malta Looking to Attract Highly-Skilled Workers

Maltese authorities are also looking to attract foreign workers, especially highly skilled ones. In this regard, Identita – an agency under the Maltese government – launched the Specialist Employee Initiative (SEI).

SEI offers an alternative for highly skilled third-country nationals who are not eligible for the Key Employee Initiative but possess relevant academic or technical skills for their job offer in Malta. Only third-country nationals with a signed contract with a Maltese-registered company are eligible to apply.

Moreover, the Malta Employer Association (MEA) views foreign workers as crucial for Malta’s logistics industry. At the 2023 National Forum hosted by MEA, President Joanne Bondin emphasized the essential role of foreign workers in supporting and boosting economic growth.

EU and third-country nationals have filled employment gaps in the logistics sector that might have otherwise hindered its development. They augment the labor force, enabling companies to meet the escalating demand for their services.

Is a Visa Necessary to Work in Malta?

EU/EEA/Swiss citizens do not need a visa to live and work in Malta. However, they must register with the Department for Citizenship and Expatriate Affairs within three months of arriving.

Citizens from other countries require a visa to work in Malta. The Maltese authorities offer three types of work permits: the single license, the Key Employee Initiative, and the EU Blue Card.