Understanding Employee Leave Entitlements in Malta

Malta offers a comprehensive framework of employee leave rights that balances worker welfare with business needs. Both full-time and part-time employees are entitled to various types of leave, with pro-rated benefits for those working reduced hours.

Annual Leave Provisions in Malta

Full-time employees in Malta typically receive 192 hours of annual leave, equivalent to 24 working days based on a standard 40-hour work week. This entitlement adjusts proportionally for employees working different schedules. Since January 2021, when public holidays fall on weekends, employees gain additional annual leave days within the same calendar year.

Annual leave scheduling requires mutual agreement between employer and employee. Up to 50% of unused leave can be carried forward to the next year, with carried-over days used first. Importantly, Malta's employment law prohibits substituting leave with monetary compensation except upon termination of employment.

Maternity and Paternity Leave Regulations

Malta provides 18 weeks of maternity leave for pregnant employees and nursing mothers. The first 14 weeks are employer-paid, with subsequent weeks covered under social security provisions. Employees must provide written notice at least four weeks in advance and submit supporting documentation within 15 weeks.

Fathers or second parents receive 10 days of paternity leave following childbirth or adoption, regardless of contract type or service duration. Employers must accommodate prenatal medical appointments during working hours without deducting pay or benefits.

Adoption Leave Framework

Employees adopting children qualify for 18 consecutive weeks of adoption leave. Similar to maternity provisions, employers cover the first 14 weeks' salary, with social security supporting additional weeks. Single parents receive the full entitlement, while working couples can share the leave period.

Parental Leave Options

Both parents can access four months of parental leave until their child reaches eight years old. Payment rates vary by child's age: 50% of statutory sickness allowance for children under four (four weeks), and 25% for children aged four to eight (two weeks). Employees need one year of continuous service and must provide two weeks' written notice.

Care-Related Leave Types

Malta's employment law recognizes several care-oriented leave categories:

Carer's Leave: Up to 5 days annually for attending to seriously ill relatives
Emergency Family Leave: Minimum 15 hours yearly for immediate family emergencies
IVF Leave: 100 hours per treatment cycle, maximum three cycles

Sick Leave and Public Holidays

Sick leave entitlements depend on applicable WRO regulations, with minimum provisions of two working weeks annually. Malta observes 14 national public holidays in 2025, during which employees receive paid time off or double pay if working.

Holiday	2025 Date
New Year's Day	January 1
Feast of St. Paul's Shipwreck	February 10
Feast of St. Joseph	March 19
Freedom Day	March 31
Good Friday	April 18
Worker's Memorial Day	May 1
Sette Giugno	June 7
Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul	June 29
Feast of the Assumption	August 15
Victory Day	September 8
Independence Day	September 21
Feast of the Immaculate Conception	December 8
Republic Day	December 13
Christmas Day	December 25

Additional Leave Categories

Malta's employment regulations include several specialized leave types:

Bereavement Leave: Paid time off following family member deaths
Marriage Leave: Typically two days for employee weddings
Jury Service Leave: Paid absence for civic duties
Work Injury Leave: Up to one year for workplace accidents

For international companies managing Malta-based teams, SailGlobal provides comprehensive leave management solutions that ensure compliance with local regulations while maintaining operational efficiency.

Malta Employee Leave Guide: Annual, Maternity, and Public Holidays 2025