Can International Students Work While Studying in Malta?

The short answer is yes — and it’s one of the most practical advantages Malta offers over many other study destinations. If you want to work while studying in Malta as a non-EU international student, you are legally allowed to work up to 20 hours per week during term time, provided you hold a valid student residence permit issued by Identity Malta.

This work right is a significant financial advantage. It means you can earn a real income in euros while improving your English, gaining EU work experience, and covering a large part of your monthly living costs. For students from Latin America, Africa, and North Africa who are managing study costs carefully, this rule changes the entire financial equation of studying in Europe.

This guide covers everything you need to know about working while studying in Malta: the rules, who qualifies, how many hours you can work, what types of jobs are available, how much you can earn, and how to find part-time work as an international student on the island.

Who Is Eligible to Work While Studying in Malta?

Non-EU / International Students

If you are a non-EU citizen — from Brazil, Colombia, Morocco, Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya, Mexico, Peru, or any other non-EU country — you can work while studying in Malta, provided you hold a valid student residence permit issued by Identity Malta. This permit is obtained when you enrol in an MFHEA-accredited programme of sufficient duration (typically at least 12 weeks).

Your right to work is directly tied to your student permit. As long as your permit is valid, you may work up to 20 hours per week during term time. During official academic holidays, you may be permitted to work full-time — though always confirm this with your institution and Identity Malta before increasing your hours.

EU / EEA / Swiss Students

EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens studying in Malta enjoy the right to work without any hour restriction from day one. No separate work permit or student residence permit is required — simply register with Maltese authorities upon arrival and you may work freely throughout your studies.

How Many Hours Can International Students Work While Studying in Malta?

The 20-hour weekly limit during term time applies to non-EU students on a student residence permit. This is consistent with the work-study rules across most EU member states, including Ireland, Portugal, and Germany. The rule is designed to ensure that work does not interfere with your primary purpose of studying.

What Types of Jobs Can International Students Get in Malta?

Malta’s economy is diverse and heavily tourism-driven, which creates genuine opportunities for international students across multiple sectors. Most part-time student jobs are in the services industry — which aligns perfectly with students who want to build practical English communication skills in a real professional environment while earning a salary.

Most Common Part-Time Jobs for Students in Malta

• Hospitality & tourism — waiter, barista, hotel receptionist, tour assistant, guest relations
• Retail — shop assistant, cashier, customer service representative, stock room
• Language services — English tutor, conversation partner, translator, language assistant
• Customer support — call centre agent, online support, help desk (many roles require strong English)
• Events & promotions — event staff, brand ambassador, promotional representative
• Digital & remote work — freelance writing, social media management, content creation, online tutoring
• iGaming & fintech — Malta’s booming iGaming sector actively hires English-speaking students for entry-level and support roles
• Education — teaching assistant roles at English language schools in St. Julian’s and Sliema

Malta’s iGaming and fintech industries are among the island’s largest employers. Many companies actively seek multilingual candidates with strong English skills — and if you are studying English professionally in Malta, your improving language skills become a direct and growing asset in the local job market. Study and work genuinely reinforce each other here.

Remote & Freelance Work

Students enrolled in English or business programmes often find that remote and freelance work is the most flexible option. Online tutoring, content writing, virtual assistant roles, and social media management allow you to set your own hours around your study timetable. Malta’s excellent digital infrastructure — widespread high-speed internet, co-working spaces, and a café culture built around laptops — makes remote working very practical from any part of the island.

How to Get the Right to Work While Studying in Malta

Your right to work in Malta as a non-EU student is automatically included in your student residence permit. There is no separate work permit application — the student permit covers both your right to study and your right to work up to 20 hours per week simultaneously.

Here is the step-by-step process to become legally authorized to work while studying in Malta:

1. Apply and get accepted to an MFHEA-registered programme in Malta
2. Receive your official acceptance letter from your institution
3. Submit your student residence permit application to Identity Malta with all required documents
4. Pay the application fee (approximately €27.50)
5. Wait 4–8 weeks for the permit to be processed and issued
6. Once your permit is physically in your hands, you may legally work up to 20 hours per week

Outreach Study guides every student through this entire process — from the acceptance letter to permit collection. You won’t need to navigate Identity Malta’s application system alone.

How Much Can You Earn Working Part-Time in Malta?

Malta’s national minimum wage as of 2025 is approximately €213.54 per week for full-time workers (40 hours). Working 20 hours per week at the minimum wage, a student can expect to earn roughly €400–€500 per month. However, many student-accessible roles — especially in hospitality, tourism, and iGaming — pay above the minimum wage for candidates with strong English skills.

Earning €500–€800 per month while studying is entirely realistic for most students. Given that monthly living costs in Malta typically run €700–€1,100 all-in (accommodation, food, transport), part-time work can cover 50–80% of your monthly expenses — significantly reducing the financial burden of studying abroad in Europe.

Tips for Finding Part-Time Work in Malta as an International Student

Finding work in Malta is generally straightforward for international students with solid English skills. The island’s service economy is always looking for reliable, English-speaking staff. Here are the most effective ways to find part-time work:

• Facebook Groups — Groups like “Jobs in Malta”, “Expats in Malta”, and “English-speaking jobs Malta” are very active and regularly updated with part-time and student-friendly listings
• Jobsplus.eu — Malta’s official government employment portal where employers post regulated, legitimate vacancies
• LinkedIn — Particularly effective for iGaming, tech, and professional service roles in Sliema and St. Julian’s
• Walk-in applications — Many cafés, restaurants, and retail shops in St. Julian’s and Sliema hire directly. Walk in with your CV and ask for the manager — this direct approach works extremely well in Malta’s hospitality sector
• Your English school’s notice board — Schools often have job postings and connections to local employers who specifically trust their students
• Indeed.com.mt — The local version of Indeed with Malta-specific listings, including part-time and student-friendly roles
• Referrals from fellow students — Word-of-mouth is powerful in Malta’s small, connected international student community. If a fellow student moves on from a job, they will often recommend you to their employer

Is It Worth Working While You Study in Malta?

For most international students, the answer is yes — with some important planning. Working 15–20 hours per week is manageable alongside a full-time English or business programme if you structure your schedule sensibly. Many students find that part-time work in Malta actually accelerates their English progress because it forces real professional communication every day outside the classroom.

Beyond finances, working while you study in Malta gives you a set of advantages that few other study destinations can match:

• Real EU work experience on your CV — highly valued by international employers everywhere
• Faster pathway to professional-level English through daily workplace immersion
• A professional network beyond your classmates — essential for long-term career growth
• Practical understanding of the Maltese and European job market from the inside
• Financial independence that reduces anxiety and improves academic performance
• References from European employers — a major asset when applying for jobs or visas after your programme ends

The combination of studying in Malta and working part-time is one of the most efficient routes into the European labour market for international students. Those who complete a 12-month English or business programme while working 20 hours per week leave Malta with a CV that includes an EU qualification, EU work experience, professional English proficiency, and European references — a package that opens real doors in Europe, Latin America, Africa, and beyond.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Working as a Student in Malta

• Starting work before your permit is issued — Never begin working until you physically have your student residence permit in hand. Working without a valid permit is illegal and can jeopardize your entire study and residency situation
• Exceeding 20 hours per week during term time — Keep a record of your working hours every week. Exceeding the limit can affect your permit renewal and future visa applications in Malta or other EU countries
• Working cash-in-hand without a contract — Always insist on a proper, signed employment contract. Informal cash arrangements leave you with no legal protection and no official employment record
• Letting work interfere with academic attendance — Your student permit is contingent on genuine enrolment and participation. Excessive absences or failing your programme can put your permit status at risk
• Not disclosing your permit status to your employer — Reputable employers will ask to see your student residence permit. Always carry a copy and be transparent about your 20-hour weekly limitation during term time

Frequently Asked Questions About Working While Studying in Malta