Teaching Jobs in Malta 2026: Schools, ELT and Warrants

Teaching jobs in Malta fall into five main areas: state schools, church and independent schools, international schools, English language (ELT) schools and higher education. English is widely used in classrooms, which makes Malta easier for foreign teachers than most of southern Europe, but every route has a gatekeeper: school teachers in compulsory education need a teacher’s warrant, and English language teachers need an ELT permit. Get your qualifications recognised early, and target the sector that matches your profile.

This guide explains each route, the paperwork, where vacancies appear and what newcomers should expect. For the wider job market, see our overview of jobs in Malta for English speakers.

Teaching jobs in Malta at a glance

Requirements summarised from official guidance by the Council for the Teaching Profession and the ELT Council; rules are updated periodically. Last checked November 2026.

State, church and independent schools

Malta’s school system has three parts: state schools run by the education ministry, church schools run by the Catholic Church with state support, and independent (private) schools. Together they cover kindergarten to the end of secondary school, with sixth forms and colleges after that.

• State schools recruit through public calls for applications published on the government’s recruitment portal and the education ministry’s channels. Posts include class teachers, subject teachers, learning support educators and peripatetic teachers.
• Church schools recruit directly and through their own calls. Many are long-established and popular with Maltese families.
• Independent schools include both Maltese private schools and international schools, and hire directly.

Teaching in English is common, especially for sciences, mathematics and English itself, but Maltese is a compulsory subject and is used widely in state primary classrooms. Some posts list Maltese as a requirement; others do not. Read each call carefully.

The teacher’s warrant and recognition

The warrant is the professional licence to teach in Malta’s compulsory education. The Council for the Teaching Profession reviews applications and recommends to the minister whether a warrant should be granted.

1. Get your qualifications recognised. If your degree and teaching qualification are from abroad, apply for a recognition statement from MQRIC, the Malta Qualifications Recognition Information Centre within the Malta Further and Higher Education Authority (MFHEA). It compares your qualifications with the Malta Qualifications Framework. Note that a recognition statement is not itself a warrant.
2. Check eligibility. Applicants must be Maltese, EU citizens or otherwise legally allowed to work in Malta.
3. Apply for the warrant. Teachers in compulsory education must hold at least a temporary warrant. Teachers with a recognised teaching qualification are expected to apply for a permanent warrant after two years of practice.
4. Keep copies of everything: degree certificates, transcripts, teaching practice records and references, plus certified translations if your documents are not in English.

Recognition and warrant applications take time, so start the process before you accept a job or move, not after.

International schools

Malta has a small number of international schools teaching British, American or International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes in English. Examples include Verdala International School, QSI International School of Malta and St Edward’s College, which offers the IB Diploma alongside other programmes. They serve expat and Maltese families and often hire teachers from abroad.

What international schools usually look for:

• A recognised teaching qualification (such as a PGCE or national equivalent) and a relevant degree.
• Experience with the school’s curriculum, for example IB, IGCSE or A levels.
• Willingness to commit for at least two years.

Recruitment often starts in the autumn or winter for the following September, through the schools’ own websites and international recruitment fairs or platforms. Packages vary widely; ask clearly about salary, housing support, health insurance and relocation before you sign.

Teaching English as a foreign language

Malta is one of Europe’s biggest destinations for English language students, and English language schools are a major employer, especially in Sliema, St Julian’s and Gżira. To teach English as a foreign language in a licensed school you need an ELT permit, issued by the ELT Council under the rules set out in Legal Notice 221 of 2015.

• Accepted qualifications include Cambridge CELTA and Trinity CertTESOL, or a TEFL certificate from an ELT Council approved centre together with an MQF Level 4 English qualification. New teachers usually start on a temporary permit; the full permit also requires an observed-teaching (SEPTT) assessment and a police conduct certificate. The ELT Council FAQs set out the current routes.
• Foreign qualifications other than the main international certificates may need to be vetted by MFHEA first.
• Validity: the permit lasts four years, and renewal requires continuing professional development, including hours specifically in ELT methodology and language awareness.
• Seasonality: demand peaks in summer, roughly June to September, when junior groups arrive. Winter work is more limited, and many contracts are hourly or seasonal.

ELT is a good first step for newcomers with a CELTA or similar, but plan your budget around the seasonal swing. Schools listed in our guide to the best English schools in Malta are a useful starting list for applications.

Higher education, tutoring and other roles

• University and colleges: the University of Malta, MCAST (the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology) and the Institute of Tourism Studies advertise lecturing and research posts on their own websites. Most lecturing roles require a master’s degree or doctorate.
• Private tutoring: private lessons are a strong tradition in Malta, especially before exams. Experienced subject teachers often tutor alongside a school job; check your employment contract and tax obligations first.
• Learning support and early years: learning support educators and childcare roles are in demand and have their own qualification requirements.
• Corporate training and online teaching: some teachers combine part-time school work with corporate language training or online lessons for overseas students.

How to find and land a teaching job

1. Start recognition early. Apply for your MQRIC statement and warrant or ELT permit as soon as you know you want to teach here.
2. Watch the right channels: the government recruitment portal for state posts, school websites for church, independent and international schools, ELT school career pages and the Jobsplus vacancy portal.
3. Tailor your CV to the Maltese format and the curriculum the school teaches. Our guide on how to write a CV for Malta jobs shows what to include.
4. Time it right: spring for September school posts, early spring for the ELT summer season.
5. Non-EU teachers: you will need a work permit, normally a Single Permit sponsored by the employer, on top of the professional requirements. Confirm the employer will support it before you resign from a job at home.

Teaching is a sociable job, but moving to a new country still means starting your personal life from scratch. Colleagues help, and so does having something to look forward to outside school each week.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Can foreigners teach in Malta?

Yes. EU citizens can teach in Malta once their qualifications are recognised and they hold the required warrant or permit. Non-EU nationals can also teach, but they need a work permit, usually a Single Permit sponsored by the employer, in addition to the professional requirements.

Do I need a teacher’s warrant to teach in Malta?

Teachers in compulsory education in Malta must hold at least a temporary teacher’s warrant. Applications are reviewed by the Council for the Teaching Profession, and foreign qualifications usually need a recognition statement first. Teaching English as a foreign language in language schools requires a separate ELT permit.

What qualifications do I need to teach English in Malta?

English language schools require an ELT permit. The ELT Council accepts qualifications such as Cambridge CELTA, Trinity CertTESOL or a TEFL certificate from an approved centre, together with the required level of English; most new teachers start on a temporary permit before the full four-year permit. Check the ELT Council’s current eligibility rules before applying.

Do I need to speak Maltese to teach in Malta?

Not for most international schools, English language schools or many subject posts taught in English. Some roles, especially in state primary schools and for teaching Maltese, require Maltese, so read each vacancy carefully.

When is the best time to look for teaching jobs in Malta?

For schools, start looking in spring for the September intake, when most contracts begin. English language schools hire all year but recruit most heavily for the busy summer season, roughly June to September.