Employer of Record and Payroll Services in Malta 
Mercans-owned legal entity 
We have our own legal entity to protect your business from risk and provide you and your employees with a distinctive experience.
We have our own legal entity to protect your business from risk and provide you and your employees with a distinctive experience.
Services available
- Employer of record
- Contractor management
- Global payroll
- In-country payroll
Mercans offers complete payroll, PEO and HR services in Malta
While a small economy, Malta is well known as a tourist destination and in recent years, has been recognised as a financial services hub. Manufacturing continues to remain an important sector of the economy. Since the country’s push into industrialization, it has invested heavily in developing its workforce through education and training. The primary industry sectors include advanced manufacturing, aviation, education, healthcare, ICT and life sciences.
Doing Business in Malta
Setting up a business is easy and transparent and entrepreneurs are able to seek assistance from Malta Enterprise which provides assistance including pre-investment fact finding. There are a variety of private investment funds available including several pension plans for foreign citizens.
Entity Registration and Incorporation Requirements
Setting up a new business or expanding an existing one in Malta is straightforward. Choose how your company operates from a range of entity types that suit your individual circumstance.
Banking
Banking Hours: 8:30 am to 1:30 pm from Monday to Friday, Saturday (8:00 am - 12:30 pm).
Working Week
The standard working week is from Monday to Friday from 8:00 am - 4:00 pm.
Labor Law
The main sources of Maltese labor law are the Constitution, the Employment and Industrial Relations Act (EIRA), the Employment Commission Act as well as selected EU regulations and directives.
Main Industries
Tourism, electronics, ship building and repair, construction, food and beverages
GDP Growth
2.3%
Dates & Numbers
dd/mm/yyyy
Official State Name
the Republic of Malta
Population
0.51 million
Capital
Valletta
Major Languages
English, Maltese
Currency
Euro
Internet Domain
.mt
International Dialing Code
+356
17°C
Payroll
Wages must be paid in cash or cheque, at regular intervals of a week, fortnight or month, unless otherwise agreed. Wages must also be paid directly to the employee.
It is acceptable to provide employees with online payslips
Payslip
Payroll reports must be kept for 6 years
Reports
Employees are entitled to receive paid annual leave of 9 days
Annual Leave
Employees are entitled to receive paid sick leave of 14 days
Sick Leave
Employees are entitled to 14 weeks of paid maternity leave as applicable. Paternity leave is not a statutory entitlement
Maternity & Paternity Leave
An employer must provide an employee with 6 months’ notice of termination of the employment relationship
Employee Termination
There are no provisions mandated by law regarding the 13th month salary
13th month salary
181.08 EUR per week
Minimum Wage
Overtime pay is calculated at the rate of 1.5x the employee's ordinary rate of pay for a total of 40 hours of overtime
Overtime
There are no provisions mandated by law regarding severance pay
Severance Pay
Tax and Social Security
Mlalta taxes individuals who are both domiciled and ordinarily resident in Malta on their worldwide income. Employment in Malta is also governed by the provisions of the Social Security Act.
Tax
A non resident individual is taxed only on income and chargeable gains arising in Malta. Employees resident in a country with which Malta has a double taxation relief agreement may be exempt from tax in Malta if the treaty conditions are met.
Corporate Income Tax
Personal Income Tax
Sales Tax
VAT
Social Security
There have been certain international agreements concluded by Malta which allow contributions paid in one country to be credited for social security purposes in the other country.
Social Security Rate
Social Security Rate for Employers
Social Security Rate for Employers
Employment Law
Maltese labor law is based on the contractual agreement between the employer and employee provided that the statutory conditions of employment are met.
Employment Agreement
Employment agreements may be entered for a fixed or indefinite term. A fixed term agreement may be renewed up to a maximum of four years.
Working condition
There have not been any new employee rights or protections introduced following the pandemic. However, prior to the pandemic, there were already provisions in place for teleworking.
Leaves
The minimum annual vacation leave with full pay of every full time employee is four working weeks and four days each. Every full time employee must be provided with a minimum of one day of rest each week.
Employment termination
Employers are not prohibited from agreeing with an employee about the termination of employment where the employee waives their rights in return for a payment. There is also no law expressly regulating the procedure for settlement agreements. Employers are only required to pay the wages covering the notice period. They are not required to pay any severance pay over and above the wages covering the notice period.
Less than a month
Minimum notice period for terminating an employee
14 days
Total number of public holidays
40
Working hours per week
3 days
Total number of days for Compassionate & Bereavement Leave
Immigration
A third country national who holds an employment license shall also acquire a Maltese residence permit for the period of employment, which must be renewed annually.
Residency permits
A third country national who has resided legally and continuously in Malta for five years shall be granted a long-term resident status.
Work Permit Validity
1 year
Required Documents
The applicant’s duly completed visa application form
A cover letter stating the purpose of the applicant’s trip to Malta
The applicant’s valid passport with at least two blank pages
Two passport photos
Proof that the applicant has travel medical insurance coverage for the entire Schengen area
The applicant’s employment contract with a company based in Malta
Proof of the applicant’s accommodation in Malta for the duration of their stay
Evidence of sufficient financial means to cover the entire period of the applicant’s stay.
Build the best team and hire top talent compliantly in Malta. Get in touch with Malta payroll outsourcing & PEO specialists for a free consultation!