What are the types of leave in Malta?

Modified on: Tue, 23 Sep, 2025 at 9:01 PM

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

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Malta