From 1 January 2026, eligible self-employed parents may take four months of parental leave for each child before the child reaches eight years of age. A maximum of eight weeks will be paid through the Department of Social Security.
How the leave works
The first two months (eight weeks) are paid and cannot be transferred to the other parent. The remaining two months are unpaid, but may be transferred between the parents.
Leave must be taken in blocks of at least two consecutive weeks. The same rules apply to adoptive and foster parents.
Allocation of paid Parental Leave
How the benefit is paid
The benefit is paid for two weeks at a time, after the parent returns to work. The rate is based on the Department of Social Security’s Married Sickness Benefit rate for the year in which the leave is taken.
Applications are submitted online to the Department of Social Security. Claims may be considered from 1 January 2026 and must be submitted within six months of returning to work.
Who can apply
To qualify, the applicant must meet all the following conditions:
- Have legal and effective care and custody of the child.
- Receive Children’s Allowance or Fostering Allowance from Malta.
- Live in Malta with the child for whom the claim is being made.
- Claim for a child born, adopted or fostered on or after 1 January 2026.
- Have been self-employed for at least six months immediately before taking parental leave.
- Have paid at least 20 Social Security contributions during the two years prior to the parental leave.
- Take the leave in periods of at least two consecutive weeks.
- Apply no later than six months after returning to work.
Part-time self-employed parents
A part-time self-employed parent may also qualify if they do not have another insurable work activity at the same time, whether as an employee or as a full-time self-employed person. The same Social Security contribution conditions apply.
Documents you may need
- Official receipts showing payment of at least 20 Class II Social Security contributions during the last two calendar years prior to the start of the parental leave.
- A valid residence permit if the applicant is a third-country national, falls under the European Social Charter, or has refugee status and is ordinarily resident in Malta.
- An official foreign birth certificate, together with a verified English translation, if the birth is not registered with the Malta Public Registry or took place abroad.
- An official marriage certificate if a third-country national applicant is married to an EU citizen.
- A recognised Maltese cohabitation certificate if a third-country national applicant cohabits with a Maltese or EU citizen. Without it, the applicant is not eligible. This certificate is not required for Maltese or EU citizen couples residing in Malta.
Need assistance? Contact our HR team at DFK Malta.
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