Short answer: there are plenty of jobs in Malta for English speakers in 2026, because English is an official language and the working language of most international employers. The sectors that hire newcomers most often are online gaming, financial services, IT, customer support, hospitality, healthcare, aviation and English language teaching. The labour market is tight, with unemployment at 3.3% in the second quarter of 2026 according to the NSO, but pay varies widely: from about €1,400 a month on average in elementary occupations to over €3,600 for managers. EU citizens can start work straight away; most non-EU citizens need a Single Permit arranged with the employer. Figures were last checked in October 2026 and are pre-Budget 2027.
Over the years I have watched friends land jobs here within a week of arriving, and others spend months applying from abroad without a reply. The difference was rarely talent. It was knowing which sectors actually hire people like them, where those jobs are advertised and what Maltese employers expect in a CV and an interview. That is what this guide covers.
Why English gets you so far in Malta
Maltese and English are both official languages. In international companies, English is the default language for meetings, email and contracts, and many teams are made up of people from a dozen countries. Government forms, banks, landlords and doctors all work in English too, so you can build a working life here without Maltese.
That said, there are limits. Many public-sector posts, some roles in local family businesses and jobs dealing with older customers or patients may ask for Maltese. A few phrases help everywhere, but if an advert lists Maltese as a requirement, it usually means it.
Sectors that hire English speakers
| Sector | Typical roles for newcomers | Language needs | Where to look |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online gaming (iGaming) | Customer support, CRM, marketing, compliance, payments, risk, developers, product | English; extra European languages are a big plus in support and marketing | Company career pages, specialist recruiters, LinkedIn |
| Financial services and fintech | Compliance, AML/KYC, fund administration, accounting, audit, payments | English; professional qualifications matter | LinkedIn, recruiters, job boards |
| IT and software | Developers, QA, DevOps, data, IT support | English | LinkedIn, company sites, recruiters |
| Customer support and shared services | Multilingual support agents, back office, HR and finance operations | English plus another language often required | Job boards, recruiters |
| Hospitality and tourism | Waiting staff, chefs, kitchen staff, hotel reception, housekeeping | English; Maltese or Italian helpful in some venues | Jobsplus, job boards, walk-ins in season |
| Healthcare and care | Nurses, carers, allied health, doctors | English; Maltese increasingly useful with patients | Public service calls, private hospitals and care homes |
| Aviation | Aircraft maintenance technicians, engineers, cabin crew, operations | English | Company careers pages |
| English language teaching | EFL teachers, activity leaders, admin | Native-level English; teaching qualification required | Language schools directly |
Sector list based on the industries where English-speaking newcomers most commonly work, last checked October 2026. Requirements vary by employer.
Online gaming deserves its own article, and it has one: our guide to iGaming jobs in Malta covers roles, salaries and what working in the industry feels like day to day.
What jobs in Malta for English speakers pay
The NSO’s Labour Force Survey is the best official guide to pay. In the second quarter of 2026, the average monthly basic salary of employees was €2,282, gross and excluding overtime, allowances and bonuses. By occupation:
| Occupation group | Average monthly basic salary, Q2 2026 |
|---|---|
| Managers | €3,657 |
| Professionals | €3,035 |
| Technicians and associate professionals | €2,332 |
| Clerical support workers | €1,859 |
| Craft and related trades workers | €1,819 |
| Service and sales workers | €1,632 |
| Plant and machine operators | €1,589 |
| Elementary occupations | €1,412 |
Source: NSO Malta, Labour Force Survey Q2/2026 (NR 160/2026, released 11 September 2026). Gross basic pay before tax and social security. Pre-Budget 2027 figures; last checked October 2026.
Financial and insurance activities had the highest sector average, at €3,021 a month. At the other end, the adult national minimum wage is €229.44 a week in 2026, about €994 a month gross; see our Malta minimum wage guide for statutory bonuses and sector rules. For gross-to-net examples and how far a salary goes after rent, read our average salary in Malta guide.

Languages that boost your chances
English gets you through the door, but a second language often decides who gets the offer, particularly in customer support, account management and marketing for online gaming and fintech. German, the Nordic languages, Dutch, French and Italian are frequently requested in multilingual support roles, because companies serve customers across Europe from their Malta offices. If you speak one of them well, put it at the top of your CV, and say so in the first line of every application. If you do not, technical skills such as compliance, payments, data or development are the other fast track, because those roles are hired on expertise rather than language.
Where to find vacancies
- Jobsplus. Malta’s public employment service publishes vacancies on jobsplus.gov.mt and runs training and employment services. Applying online needs an account; check the site for the current registration options.
- Private job boards. Keepmeposted and jobsinmalta are two widely used Maltese boards, with many office, finance and gaming roles.
- LinkedIn. Most international employers in gaming, finance and tech post here, and recruiters search it actively. Set your location to Malta when you are ready to move.
- Company career pages. Large gaming operators, banks, the airport, airlines and maintenance companies advertise directly.
- Recruitment agencies. Several agencies specialise in gaming, finance and IT. They are free for candidates; be wary of anyone asking you to pay for a job.
- Walk-ins and word of mouth. In hospitality, especially before the summer season, a CV handed in person still works. And on a small island, a friend’s recommendation counts for a lot.
Apply from abroad or after you arrive?
Both work, but they suit different people. Here is how I explain the trade-off to friends:
| Approach | Works best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Apply from abroad | Non-EU citizens (you need the offer before the permit), senior or specialist roles, people relocating with family | Slower replies; some employers prefer candidates already on the island |
| Arrive first, then apply | EU citizens, hospitality and customer support roles, people who want to see areas before signing a lease | You need savings for one to three months of rent and living costs |
| Transfer within your company | Employees of international groups with a Malta office | Check how your contract, tax and social security will change |
If you arrive first, a realistic buffer is enough to cover a short let or a room, food and transport for two to three months; the average salary guide linked above includes a sample monthly budget. Use that time to meet people in your industry face to face. Malta is small enough that a coffee with the right person can do more than fifty online applications. For a week-by-week routine from CV to contract, follow our step-by-step job search plan for Malta.
Seasonal and part-time work
Hospitality, tourism and language schools hire more staff from spring to early autumn. Part-time and seasonal jobs can be a way in, but they rarely cover harbour-area rent on their own. If you are a student, different rules on working hours apply depending on your nationality and permit, so check them before you accept shifts.
Permits: EU vs non-EU
This is the part that decides how fast you can start. It is general information only; always check the official pages.
| Your passport | What you need to work | Who handles it |
|---|---|---|
| EU, EEA or Swiss | No work permit; register your residence after arrival | Identità |
| Non-EU with a job offer | A Single Permit (residence and work), applied for with the employer | Identità, with Jobsplus involvement on the work licence |
| Non-EU in tourism and hospitality | Single Permit plus the Tourism and Hospitality Skills Pass from the Institute of Tourism Studies | ITS and Identità |
| Non-EU remote worker for a foreign employer | Not a local job: the Nomad Residence Permit instead | Residency Malta |
Last checked October 2026. A pre-departure course was introduced in January 2026, and since 1 March 2026 a valid course certificate has been required for first-time Single Permit applications, according to Identità and the Ministry for Home Affairs. Rules change; confirm with Identità before you apply.
Jobsplus states that third-country nationals need an employment licence to do any form of work in Malta, and that it is the employer’s responsibility to make sure workers hold a valid one. In practice that means: do not start working, even on a trial shift, before your permit allows it. If you are a remote worker for a foreign company, our Malta Nomad Residence Permit guide explains that route.
Common job-hunting mistakes
- Applying from abroad with a CV that hides where you live and when you can start.
- Accepting an offer without converting the gross annual salary into net monthly pay and comparing it with rent.
- Paying an “agent” to find you a job or a permit: legitimate recruiters charge employers, not candidates.
- Starting work before a non-EU permit is in place.
- Ignoring Wage Regulation Orders, which can set higher minimum pay and conditions in your sector.
CV and interview tips that work in Malta
- Keep the CV to two pages, in English, with a short profile, recent experience first and concrete results.
- Say where you are and your availability. “Based in Gżira, available from 1 December” gets more calls than an address abroad and no date.
- List languages honestly, with levels. In customer support and marketing, a second European language can matter more than years of experience.
- Mention your permit status in one line: EU citizen, or non-EU and needing sponsorship. It saves everyone time.
- Prepare for a friendly but direct interview. Maltese and international managers alike will ask why Malta and how long you plan to stay. A clear, honest answer builds trust.
- Ask about the package: overtime, shift allowances, bonus, health insurance, hybrid days and whether the January cost-of-living increase is added on top.
Your first 90 days in a new job
| When | Work | Life admin |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Contract signed, payroll and tax details given to HR | Local SIM, temporary housing, apply for a personalised tallinja card |
| Weeks 2 to 4 | Probation goals agreed; learn who is who | Open a bank account, register on the utility account if renting |
| Months 2 to 3 | First review; check overtime and leave records | Move into a longer lease near work if the first place was temporary |
Banking is the step that most often slows newcomers down, because a payslip, an address and an ID often depend on each other. Our guide to opening a bank account in Malta explains the documents banks ask for and how long it takes.
Working culture: what to expect
For the bigger picture of contracts, leave, hours and office culture, see our guide to working in Malta. A few things stand out for English speakers coming from northern Europe or North America:
- Relationships matter. In smaller firms especially, who you know and how you get on with people carries real weight.
- Hierarchy is visible in local companies, less so in international gaming and tech firms.
- Turnover is high in some industries. People move between employers often, which is good for your career and hard on office friendships.
- Commutes are about traffic. A job a few kilometres away can mean 40 minutes on a bus at rush hour. Factor it into where you rent.
After work: turning colleagues into a social life
For many newcomers, the first job is also the first social circle. That is great for the first month and risky after that: if your whole social life is your team, a resignation or a restructure can leave you starting again. What I recommend:
- say yes to the first few after-work drinks and team lunches;
- suggest one small plan yourself within your first month: a swim after work, a quiz, a walk along the promenade;
- be clear about money (split, pay your own, or “this one’s on me”) so nobody feels awkward on a junior salary;
- add one weekly activity outside work, such as a sports club, class or volunteering, so you meet people who will still be around if you change jobs.
Jobs in Malta for English speakers: FAQ
Can I get a job in Malta if I only speak English?
Yes. English is an official language and the working language of most international employers, including online gaming, financial services, tech, aviation, hospitality and language schools. Many public-sector roles and some customer-facing local jobs ask for Maltese, so check each advert.
Which sectors hire the most English speakers in Malta?
Online gaming, financial services and fintech, IT and software, customer support, hospitality and tourism, healthcare and care work, aviation maintenance and English language teaching are the sectors where newcomers most often find work in English.
Where can I find jobs in Malta?
Jobsplus, the public employment service, publishes vacancies online. Private job boards such as Keepmeposted and jobsinmalta, LinkedIn, company career pages and recruitment agencies are widely used, especially for office roles.
Do I need a work permit to work in Malta?
EU, EEA and Swiss citizens do not need a work permit, though they register their residence. Most non-EU citizens need a Single Permit, applied for with the employer through Identità; tourism and hospitality applicants also need the Skills Pass, and new applicants must complete a pre-departure course.
How much do English-speaking jobs in Malta pay?
The NSO put the average monthly basic salary at €2,282 in Q2 2026, ranging from €1,412 in elementary occupations to €3,657 for managers. Professionals averaged €3,035 and clerical support workers €1,859, before tax and excluding bonuses.
Is it easy to find a job in Malta in 2026?
The labour market is tight: the NSO’s Labour Force Survey put unemployment at 3.3% in Q2 2026. Skilled office and tech roles and hospitality jobs are relatively easy to find; the harder part is often finding affordable housing near the job.
Want to turn this into an actual plan? MeetNow is a free app for meeting people in person: a host posts a plan at a public place, says who pays (host pays, split, pay your own or free) and picks who joins. It works in your browser and on Android through Google Play, starting in Malta; the iPhone app is not in the App Store yet. Open MeetNow and see the plans in Valletta, Sliema and St Julian’s.
This guide is general information, not legal, immigration or employment advice. We may mention products we are connected with; see the affiliate and product disclosure page linked in the site footer.



