Malta offers a variety of statutory leave entitlements to support employees' personal, family, and health needs. Below is a breakdown of the main types of leave available to employees.
Vacation Leave
Entitlement:
224 hours annually for full-time employees (2025)
Equivalent to 4 weeks and 32 hours for a 40-hour work week
Special Adjustment:
If a public holiday falls on a weekend or rest day, employees are entitled to an extra day of leave during the same calendar year
Accrual:
Pro-rated during the first year of employment
Full entitlement from the second year onward
Up to 50% of annual leave can be carried over to the next year (if agreed between employer and employee)
Cash-Out:
Not allowed to pay in lieu of leave
Exception: Upon termination of employment
Sick Leave
Standard Entitlement:
2 working weeks per year, calculated in hours
Sector-Specific Rules:
Entitlement may vary depending on the Wage Regulation Order (W.R.O.) applicable to the employee’s industry
If no W.R.O. applies, the default entitlement is used
Maternity Leave
18 weeks paid
Funded through the Social Security system
Paternity Leave
10 days paid
Must be taken immediately after birth or adoption
Adoption Leave
14 uninterrupted weeks paid by the employer
Employees may apply for 4 additional uninterrupted weeks paid by Social Security
IVF Leave (Medically Assisted Procreation)
Leave for up to 3 IVF cycles, taken as needed (can be non-continuous):
60 hours for the receiving parent
40 hours for the other parent
Other types of leave
Marriage Leave: 2 days paid
Bereavement Leave: 1 day paid
Jury Leave: All required days are paid by the employer