Sick leave rules in Malta at a glance
Statutory rules for Malta, checked against official government guidance on 15 October 2026.
| Tell your employer | Present a certificate to the employer; no notification deadline found |
|---|---|
| Self certification | None found; absences of 3 working days or less need not go to the Department of Social Security, but the employer may ask |
| Doctor's certificate needed from | Day 1 (the certificate must cover the first working day) |
| Certificate deadline | Blue Medical Certificate to the Department of Social Security within 10 days, copy to the employer; renew every 2 weeks after 14 days |
| Waiting days | 3 working days (paid by the employer) |
| Employer pays | Under the Wage Regulation Order or agreement |
| State sickness benefit | €25.81 or €17.21 a day from day 4 |
| Maximum duration | 156 days a year, 468 in total |
| Day count | Working days |
| Last checked |
Who pays sick pay in Malta?
In Malta, employer pay: under the Wage Regulation Order or agreement. State sickness benefit: €25.81 or €17.21 a day from day 4.
- Waiting daysDays 1 to 33 working days (paid by the employer)
- EmployerUnder the Wage Regulation Order or agreement
- State sickness benefitFrom day 4€25.81 or €17.21 a day from day 4
- Sickness benefit
- Sickness Benefit
- Official body
- Department of Social Security
- Certificate
- Blue Medical Certificate
Work out your own figures with the sick pay calculator.
When do you need a doctor's note in Malta?
In Malta, a doctor's certificate is needed: day 1 (the certificate must cover the first working day).
Self certification. None found; absences of 3 working days or less need not go to the Department of Social Security, but the employer may ask
Certificate deadline. Blue Medical Certificate to the Department of Social Security within 10 days, copy to the employer; renew every 2 weeks after 14 days
Telling your employer. Present a certificate to the employer; no notification deadline found
Check your own dates with the "do I need a note" tool, or see how to get a doctor's note in Malta.
Worked example: 10 days off sick in Malta
How a 10 day absence runs in Malta, step by step. No money is worked out here.
| When | What happens | The rule |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Tell your employer | Present a certificate to the employer; no notification deadline found |
| Days 1 to 3 | Waiting days | 3 working days (paid by the employer) |
| From day 1 | A doctor's certificate is normally needed | Day 1 (the certificate must cover the first working day) |
| Days 4 to 10 | State sickness benefit | €25.81 or €17.21 a day from day 4 |
Maximum duration: 156 days a year, 468 in total
For your own figures, use the sick pay calculator. It reads the same checked data as this page.
What is different about sick leave in Malta?
Send the Blue Medical Certificate to Social Security within 10 days, with a copy to your employer.
Renew it every 2 weeks if you stay off.
What if you work in Malta but live in another country?
If you work in Malta and live in another country, you are usually covered by the social security system where you work, so the rules on this page apply.
Report sick by the rule in Malta (present a certificate to the employer), and send any certificate to the body that pays you (Department of Social Security).
If your doctor is in another country, ask the paying body (Department of Social Security) which format it accepts.
More on working in one country and living in another. Related tool: Fit to fly readiness checklist
Frequently asked questions
The rule for telling your employer in Malta: present a certificate to the employer; no notification deadline found.
The certificate deadline in Malta: Blue Medical Certificate to the Department of Social Security within 10 days, copy to the employer; renew every 2 weeks after 14 days.
Waiting days in Malta: 3 working days (paid by the employer).
The maximum duration of sick pay in Malta: 156 days a year, 468 in total.
Self certification in Malta: none found; absences of 3 working days or less need not go to the Department of Social Security, but the employer may ask.
Sick leave rules in neighbouring countries
Compare Malta with Italy and Cyprus, or see all 42 countries side by side.
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