How many days annual leave am I entitled to in Malta?

The statutory minimum annual leave entitlement in Malta is 192 hours (equivalent to 24 working days or 4 weeks + 4 days for a standard 8-hour day / 5-day week). This is in addition to public holidays. Some collective agreements or individual contracts may provide for more.

How many public holidays does Malta have?

Malta has 14 national public holidays per year. These are in addition to annual leave. If a public holiday falls on a Sunday, workers are entitled to a substitute day off. The public holidays include religious and national dates — Malta has more public holidays than most EU countries.

How does sick leave work in Malta?

Statutory sick leave entitlement in Malta is 2 weeks (10 working days) of paid sick leave per year. For longer illness, workers may be entitled to benefit through the Department of Social Security. Employers may provide more generous sick leave in their contracts. A doctor's certificate is required after 3 days of sick leave in most circumstances.

What is the maternity leave entitlement in Malta?

Statutory maternity leave in Malta is 18 weeks — 14 mandatory weeks (of which at least 6 must be taken after birth) plus 4 optional additional weeks. The first 14 weeks are paid through a combination of employer contribution and social security benefit. Paternity leave is 2 days (statutory) with some employers offering more.

Malta Sick Leave and Annual Leave: Employee Rights 2026

What workers in Malta are entitled to: annual leave, public holidays, sick pay, and family leave — under the Employment and Industrial Relations Act and related legislation.

Official SourceLast updated 9 June 2026

Annual leave

Leave type	Statutory entitlement
Annual leave	192 hours per year (≈ 24 working days at 8hr/day)
Public holidays	14 days per year (in addition to annual leave)
Sick leave (paid)	2 weeks (10 working days) per year
Maternity leave	18 weeks total (14 mandatory + 4 optional)
Paternity leave	2 days statutory (employer may offer more)
Parental leave (unpaid)	4 months per parent per child (EU Parental Leave Directive)

DIER / EIRAStatutory minimums. Contracts and collective agreements may provide more. Last verified: 2026-06-09.

Malta’s 14 public holidays

Date	Holiday
1 January	New Year’s Day
10 February	Feast of St Paul’s Shipwreck
19 March	Feast of St Joseph
31 March	Freedom Day
Good Friday	Good Friday (date varies)
1 May	Workers’ Day
7 June	Sette Giugno (Riot Day)
29 June	Feast of Sts Peter and Paul (Mnajdra / L-Imnarja)
15 August	Feast of the Assumption
8 September	Victory Day / Our Lady of Victories
21 September	Independence Day
8 December	Feast of the Immaculate Conception
13 December	Republic Day
25 December	Christmas Day

gov.mtLast verified: 2026-06-09. Exact dates for moveable feasts vary by year.

Sick leave in practice

The 2-week statutory sick pay entitlement is paid by the employer for the first period. For extended illness, workers in Malta may be entitled to Sickness Benefit from the Department of Social Security, provided they have made sufficient National Insurance (social security) contributions.

A medical certificate from a doctor is required after 3 consecutive days of sick leave in most workplaces. Some employers require certification from day one — check your contract.

Maternity and paternity leave

Malta’s maternity leave of 18 weeks is above the EU minimum. The employer is required to pay for at least 14 weeks (of which 6 must be post-birth). The government also provides a Maternity Benefit top-up in some cases — check with the Department of Social Security for current entitlements.

Statutory paternity leave is just 2 days, which is low by EU standards. Many employers — particularly in iGaming and tech — offer substantially more as part of their benefits package. Ask HR before signing your contract.

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Maintained by MaltaPathway

This guide is written from public official sources and labelled limitations. MaltaPathway is independent, not a law firm or government agency. Founder proof, source policy, correction policy, and monetization disclosure live on the About and trust page.

Sources

Official SourceAnnual Leave and Public Holidays — DIERVerified 9 Jun 2026

Official SourceEmployment Conditions — DIERVerified 9 Jun 2026

Official SourcePublic Holidays in MaltaVerified 9 Jun 2026

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MaltaPathway is not a law firm, immigration consultancy, or government agency. The information on this page is based on publicly available official sources and is provided for informational purposes only. Immigration rules change — always verify with the relevant authority before making decisions. If your case is complex, consult a licensed immigration lawyer.