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Work in Malta

Malta Skills Pass 2026

For tourism and hospitality workers: who needs the Skills Pass, what Phase 1 and Phase 2 involve, what fees to expect, and why you need it before applying for a Single Permit.

Verified against Skills Pass Malta · Identità Malta · Last checked 10 October 2026

Poster illustration of a hospitality serving tray beside a blank ribbon badge
AI illustration · MaltaPathway

Dedicated specialist guide available

For the complete Tourism and Hospitality Skills Pass guide — registration, certificate, assessment details, and login steps — visit maltaskillspass.org, the dedicated specialist guide for this programme.

What is the Skills Pass?

The Skills Pass is a sector-specific certification programme for third-country nationals working in Malta's tourism and hospitality industry. It adds additional preparation requirements on top of the standard pre-departure orientation course.

Skills Pass Malta Tourism and hospitality is currently the only sector with a publicly listed Skills Pass requirement.

Use this guide before opening the official Skills Pass Malta login or registration portal: it explains whether your role is likely covered, which phases matter, and which Single Permit step the certificate supports.

What applies to me?

Answer three questions to choose the safest starting guide. This does not replace official confirmation, but it helps you avoid reading the wrong route first.

Advisory tool

Is this your first Malta Single Permit application?

Is the job in tourism, hospitality, hotels, restaurants, or bars?

Are you already in Malta with a valid residence or work permit?

How it relates to the pre-departure course

The Skills Pass is not a replacement for the pre-departure course. Workers in tourism and hospitality must complete both:

  • Pre-departure orientation course — the general mandatory course for all first-time third-country national applicants.
  • Skills Pass courses: Customer Care in Hospitality, The Maltese Tourism Product, and an occupation-specific course.

What it covers

Based on the official Skills Pass Portal, the programme runs in two phases:

  • Phase 1 — online courses and assessment: Customer Care in Hospitality, The Maltese Tourism Product, and a course and skills assessment for your occupation (for example Bar Waiter, Line Chef, Line Waiter, Luggage Porter or Receptionist). Candidates are typically given 42 days to complete it.
  • Phase 2 — interview: a 30-minute online interview with an assessor. Candidates who need a visa choose their nearest VFS centre; candidates who do not need a visa choose the Institute of Tourism Studies in Malta.

Skills Pass Malta Registration and assessment are handled on the Skills Pass Portal (skillspass.org.mt). The Tourism and Hospitality Skills Pass Regulations (S.L. 409.22, in force since 28 May 2024) require a Skills Pass of third-country nationals who intend to enter Malta to work in a tourism and hospitality establishment.

Earlier reports said the requirement would extend to EU and Maltese workers from 2026 or 2027; the current text of the regulations, as amended in 2025, refers only to third-country nationals.

Covers MTA-licensed tourism & hospitality roles

The Skills Pass applies to roles in hotels, guest houses, hostels, holiday premises and catering establishments licensed by the Malta Tourism Authority. Since 5 January 2026 some roles are excluded, including accounts, marketing, HR, stores, cleaners and kitchen porters (non-exhaustive list; if your job is not listed, email the Skills Pass team).

Reviewed YouTube videos for tourism and work context

Public YouTube embeds for Malta work sectors and visitor-facing Malta context. These are supplementary videos, not official Skills Pass content.

Maltese tourism product overview

Heritage Malta and VisitMalta · EN

Open on YouTube

Will other sectors be added?

Currently, tourism and hospitality is the only sector with a published Skills Pass requirement. It is possible that other sectors may be added in the future, but there is no confirmed public timeline for this.

Good to know

If you are not working in tourism or hospitality, you do not need the Skills Pass. You still need the standard pre-departure course if you are a first-time applicant from 1 March 2026 onward (unless exempt, see the pre-departure guide).

Fees

Skills Pass Malta The Skills Pass fee for tourism and hospitality is EUR 230, which includes a EUR 5 booking fee for the Phase 2 interview. It is paid after you complete the Pre-Departure Course (EUR 245 on the Skills Pass site; EUR 250 on the Identità page).

Preparing for the Skills Pass?

Access free flashcards and quizzes covering all Skills Pass topics — hospitality law, food safety, customer service, and more.

Start studying free →

Frequently asked questions

Do I need the Skills Pass if I already completed the pre-departure course?+

Yes. The Skills Pass is an additional requirement on top of the pre-departure course — not a replacement for it. If you work in tourism or hospitality, you must complete both. The pre-departure course covers general workers' rights and integration. The Skills Pass covers sector-specific competencies.

What is the difference between Skills Pass Phase 1 and Phase 2?+

Phase 1 is the online courses and assessment. Phase 2 is a 30-minute online interview with an assessor, booked after Phase 1. For tourism and hospitality candidates, passing Phase 2 gives both the Pre-Departure Integration Course certificate and the Skills Pass certificate.

Can I start working in hospitality before completing the Skills Pass?+

No. Without both certificates (Pre-Departure Integration Course and Skills Pass) you cannot apply for a Single Permit to work in tourism and hospitality in Malta.

How much does the Skills Pass cost?+

The Skills Pass fee for tourism and hospitality is EUR 230, which includes a EUR 5 booking fee for the Phase 2 interview. It is paid after you complete the Pre-Departure Course (EUR 245 on the Skills Pass site; EUR 250 on the Identità page).

Which jobs in Malta require the Skills Pass?+

The Skills Pass currently applies to workers in tourism and hospitality roles. This includes hotel staff, restaurant workers, bar staff, and related positions. Some roles, such as accounts, marketing, HR, stores, cleaners and kitchen porters, have been excluded since 5 January 2026. If you are unsure whether your specific role is covered, check with your employer or confirm with Jobsplus before applying.

Will the Skills Pass be required for other sectors in Malta?+

As of June 2026, tourism and hospitality is the only sector with a published Skills Pass requirement. There is no confirmed public timeline for expanding it to other sectors. Monitor official announcements from Jobsplus and Identità Malta.

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