Internships in Malta are most common in iGaming, financial services and fintech, tourism and hospitality, digital marketing, IT, law and accountancy, plus research and NGO work. English is the working language almost everywhere, which makes Malta a popular choice for European students on Erasmus+ traineeships and for graduates looking for a first role. EU interns can start with very little paperwork; non-EU interns need a permit before they begin. Pay varies widely, so agree the terms in writing.
This guide walks you through the sectors, the rules, pay, where to find placements and a realistic timeline. If you are already studying here and want paid work alongside your course, see our guide to part-time jobs for students in Malta.
Where the internships in Malta are
| Sector | Typical intern roles | Where |
|---|---|---|
| iGaming | Customer support, marketing, CRM, compliance, data, software | St Julian’s, Sliema, Gżira, Ta’ Xbiex, San Ġwann |
| Financial services and fintech | Audit, accounting, compliance, payments, operations | Ta’ Xbiex, Sliema, Valletta, Mriehel |
| Tourism and hospitality | Hotel operations, front office, events, food and beverage | St Julian’s, Mellieħa, St Paul’s Bay, Gozo |
| Digital marketing and media | Social media, content, SEO, design | Mainly the north harbour area |
| IT and software | Development, QA, IT support, data | SmartCity, St Julian’s, business parks |
| Law and professional services | Legal research, corporate services, tax | Valletta, Sliema, Ta’ Xbiex |
| Research, education and NGOs | Research assistance, projects, communications | Msida (University), Valletta |
Sector overview based on common intern recruitment in Malta; last checked November 2026.
The iGaming and finance clusters are concentrated within a few kilometres of each other, so interns usually live in or near Sliema, Gżira, St Julian’s or Msida. Hospitality internships are more spread out and may include staff accommodation, especially in the north and in Gozo.
Who can intern: EU, Erasmus+ and non-EU rules
EU, EEA and Swiss students and graduates
You have the right to live and work in Malta, so an internship needs no work permit. If you stay longer than three months, register your residence with Identità. Make sure your employer registers the placement if it is an employment contract.
Erasmus+ traineeships
Students at higher education institutions taking part in Erasmus+, and recent graduates within a year of graduating, can do an Erasmus+ traineeship abroad. Traineeships usually last between two and twelve months, and the grant is paid through your home institution. You normally find the host organisation yourself and get a learning agreement signed by your university, the company and you. Our guide to Erasmus in Malta covers the study side of the programme.
Non-EU students and graduates
This is where most problems happen. The University of Malta’s international internships page notes that your nationality and the length of the internship decide which visa you need, and that placements over 90 days need a long-stay visa that takes at least 12 weeks to process. Identità’s Expatriates Unit runs permit routes for study, research, trainees, volunteers and interns.
- Do not start an internship, paid or unpaid, until your permit allows it.
- If you are already in Malta on a student permit, check whether your permit covers an internship or whether a separate approval is needed.
- Ask the host company early whether it has hosted non-EU interns before; experienced employers know the process.
Pay, hours and agreements
There is no single answer to “are internships in Malta paid?”. In practice:
- Larger iGaming, finance and tech companies often pay interns a salary or a monthly stipend.
- Curricular internships that are part of your degree are frequently unpaid, funded instead by an Erasmus+ grant or a home scholarship.
- Hospitality internships may include meals or staff accommodation instead of, or as well as, pay.
Whatever the deal, insist on a written agreement that states the start and end dates, weekly hours, tasks, supervisor, pay or stipend and any benefits. If the “internship” is really a full-time job with targets and no training, it should be treated as employment, with the protections that come with it.
Budget carefully. Rent in the harbour towns is high compared with intern pay, and many interns share flats. Our guide to a student budget in Malta shows typical monthly costs.
Where to find internships
- Company career pages and LinkedIn. Most iGaming, finance and tech firms advertise internships directly. Set alerts for “intern” and “graduate” with Malta as the location.
- University careers services. The University of Malta, MCAST and private institutions share placement opportunities with their students; international students should ask their home university too.
- Erasmus+ platforms and your home university’s mobility office for approved host organisations.
- Jobsplus. Malta’s public employment service lists traineeships and work exposure schemes; see our guide to Jobsplus Malta.
- Speculative applications. Smaller agencies, law firms and NGOs often take interns without advertising. A short, specific email with your dates and skills works better than a generic CV.
A six-month application timeline
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| 6 months before | Decide your sector, dates and budget; check permit or Erasmus+ requirements |
| 5 months before | Polish a Malta-style CV and LinkedIn profile; shortlist 20 to 30 organisations |
| 4 months before | Apply and send speculative emails; follow up after a week |
| 3 months before | Interviews; agree terms in writing; start any permit application |
| 2 months before | Sign the learning agreement or contract; look for accommodation |
| First weeks | Register residence if needed; join one social activity outside work |
Summer internships at larger companies are often filled by spring, so start early if you want June to September. If you only want seasonal paid work rather than a placement, see our guide to summer jobs in Malta.
Five mistakes interns make
- Accepting a role without a written agreement, then discovering the hours or pay are different.
- Booking flights before the permit is approved as a non-EU intern.
- Underestimating rent in Sliema and St Julian’s, and running out of money by month two.
- Only applying to the biggest brands, when smaller agencies and firms often give interns more real responsibility.
- Not asking for a reference before leaving. A short letter from your supervisor is worth more than a certificate.
Life as an intern in Malta
An internship in Malta is as much about the experience as the CV line. Weekdays are busy, but the island is small: after work you can swim off the rocks in Sliema from late spring to autumn, and at weekends a bus or a short drive takes you to beaches and walks in the north and west, or across to Gozo.
Many interns arrive alone, and the first weeks can feel lonely once the office empties in the evening. A few habits help: say yes to after-work drinks in the first month, join one club or class, and suggest a weekend plan to the other interns. Our pillar guide to studying in Malta has more on student life, housing and getting around.
Short placements go fast. The people you meet in the first fortnight are often the ones you spend the whole internship with, so it pays to make plans early.
Want to turn this into an actual plan? Open MeetNow and see the plans posted in Malta. It is free and works in your browser: a host posts a plan at a public place, says who pays (host pays, split, pay your own or free) and picks who joins, starting in Malta.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Are internships in Malta paid?
Some are and some are not. Larger companies in iGaming, finance and tech often pay interns or offer a stipend, while placements that are part of a study programme are frequently unpaid and funded by a grant such as Erasmus+. Always ask for a written agreement that states pay, hours and duration.
Can non-EU students do an internship in Malta?
Yes, but they need the right visa or permit. The University of Malta notes that nationality and internship length decide which visa applies, with longer placements needing a long-stay visa, and Identità runs permit routes for trainees and interns. Check the requirements with Identità and the host organisation before you travel.
Can I do an Erasmus+ traineeship in Malta?
Yes. Students and recent graduates at institutions taking part in Erasmus+ can do a traineeship in Malta, usually lasting between two and twelve months, with a grant paid through their home institution. You normally need to find the host company yourself and get the placement approved at home.
Which sectors offer the most internships in Malta?
iGaming, financial services and fintech, tourism and hospitality, digital marketing, IT and software, law and accountancy firms, and research and NGO work are the most common sectors for interns in Malta.
When should I apply for an internship in Malta?
Start three to six months before you want to begin, and earlier if you need a permit or an Erasmus+ grant. Summer internships at larger companies are often filled by spring.
