Malta Family Reunification 2026: Complete Salary Requirements Guide
Planning to bring your family to Malta? This comprehensive guide explains the two main schemes for family reunification, their salary requirements, and how to calculate the minimum income you need.
1. Overview
Malta offers pathways for non-EU nationals (Third Country Nationals - TCN) to bring their family members to live with them. The key requirement is demonstrating sufficient income to support your family without relying on Malta's social assistance system.
The income requirements are based on the national average/median wage, with an additional percentage for each family member you wish to sponsor.
Who Can You Sponsor?
The two schemes recognise a different scope of family members. Choose the route that matches your situation.
Under S.L. 217.06 (Family Reunification)
- • Spouse aged 21 or over (monogamous marriage only)
- • Unmarried minor children of sponsor and spouse
- • Unmarried minor children adopted under Maltese law
- • Children under sole custody of sponsor or spouse
Per S.L. 217.06 Reg. 4. Adult children and parents are not eligible under this regulation (limited exception for unaccompanied minor refugees, Reg. 24).
Under Family Member Policy (Identità)
- • Spouse aged 21 or over (monogamous marriage only)
- • Unmarried children under 18 (including adopted under Maltese law)
- • Dependent unmarried adult family members, with documented evidence of financial or physical dependency on the sponsor
This wider scope is the main practical difference from S.L. 217.06 — adult dependants (e.g. an elderly parent or a dependent sibling) may be considered.
Who Is This Guide For?
- • Non-EU workers in Malta (Third Country Nationals)
- • Single Permit holders with 1+ year residence
- • Long-term residents
- • Sponsors with reasonable prospects of permanence
Sponsor Pre-Conditions
- • Hold a Malta residence permit valid for at least 1 year (S.L. 217.06 Reg. 3)
- • Have reasonable prospects of obtaining permanent residence
- • Under Family Members Policy: wait 12 calendar months from the date your initial permit was first issued before applying
- • KEI / Specialist Employee Initiative exception: sponsors holding an approval-in-principle letter may apply earlier if their gross annual income meets the enhanced threshold — €50,000 for the sponsor + one dependent plus an additional €6,000 for each further dependent
- • Sponsors with pending refugee, temporary protection or subsidiary protection status are not eligible under S.L. 217.06
2. Two Schemes Explained
Malta has two distinct schemes for family reunification, each with different salary calculation methods:
Family Reunification (S.L. 217.6)
The primary legal framework (S.L. 217.06) implementing EU Directive 2003/86/EC on family reunification.
💰 Salary Requirement:
Average Wage (Gross) + 20% per family member
⏱ Decision: up to 9 months · 📋 Forms G.01 (new) / G.02 (renewal) · 💶 Fee: €50
Family Member Policy
An ex-gratia policy managed by Identità for sponsors and family members who do not (yet) qualify under S.L. 217.06 — notably dependent adult relatives who fall outside the regulation's scope.
💰 Salary Requirement:
€18,940 net + 20% of the median wage per family member
Median wage reference: €18,940 (Identità, June 2024). "Net" = gross income minus income tax and social security contributions, declared with the Commissioner of Revenue.
⏱ Decision: within 60 days · 🏥 Health insurance: min €100,000 European coverage · ⏳ 12-month waiting period from initial permit (KEI/Specialist exception applies)
Important Note
The average/median wage figures are updated periodically by the National Statistics Office (NSO). Always check with Identità Malta for the latest requirements.
3. Salary Requirements
Figures below use the 2025 average gross wage published by NSO Malta (€24,976) for S.L. 217.06, and the median net wage of €18,940 referenced by Identità as of June 2024 for the Family Member Policy.
| Family Members | Family Reunification (Gross) | Family Member Policy (Net) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 member | €29,971/year (€2,498/month) | €22,728/year (€1,894/month) |
| 2 members | €34,966/year (€2,914/month) | €26,516/year (€2,210/month) |
| 3 members | €39,962/year (€3,330/month) | €30,304/year (€2,525/month) |
| 4 members | €44,957/year (€3,746/month) | €34,092/year (€2,841/month) |
* Family Reunification figures use the 2025 NSO average gross wage (€24,976). Family Member Policy figures use Identità's median net wage (€18,940, June 2024). Both are updated periodically — verify against the official sources before applying.
Eligible Income Sources (Family Member Policy)
Identità counts the following toward the €18,940 + 20% threshold, provided the income is declared with the Commissioner of Revenue. Income tax and social security contributions are deducted from gross income to arrive at the "net" figure used in the calculation.
- • Employment income (gross salary minus tax and SSC)
- • Social benefits — old-age pension, sickness benefit, disability benefit, family allowances
- • Property rental income
- • Unemployment benefit
- • Housing benefit
- • Regular cash transfers
Source: Identità Malta — Family Members Policy.
4. Calculation Examples
Example 1: Sponsoring Spouse Only
Family Reunification:
€24,976 + (€24,976 × 20%) = €29,971 gross/year
Family Member Policy:
€18,940 + (€18,940 × 20%) = €22,728 net/year
Example 2: Sponsoring Spouse + 2 Children
Family Reunification:
€24,976 + (€24,976 × 20% × 3) = €39,962 gross/year
Family Member Policy:
€18,940 + (€18,940 × 20% × 3) = €30,304 net/year
5. Required Documents
When applying for family reunification, you typically need:
For the Sponsor
- • Valid residence permit (min. 1 year)
- • Employment contract
- • Last 6 months of payslips or other proof of qualifying income
- • Tax returns (FS3)
- • Written application detailing the relationship and residency arrangements (Family Member Policy)
- • Proof of accommodation meeting health/safety standards
- • Sickness insurance covering all risks — minimum €100,000 European-territory cover under the Family Member Policy
For Family Members
- • Valid passport (min. 8 months validity at submission)
- • Civil status certificates proving the relationship (marriage, birth, adoption)
- • Marriage certificate (spouse must be 21+)
- • Birth certificates (for minor children)
- • Evidence of financial or physical dependency (for adult dependants under the Family Member Policy)
- • Police clearance certificates
- • Medical certificates
- • Photos (passport size)
Where family members must be: Under both schemes, family members generally must reside outside Malta when the application is submitted. The Director may accept in-country applications in exceptional cases (e.g. minor children born in Malta).
6. Application Process
Gather Documents
Collect all required documents and have them translated/apostilled if needed. For S.L. 217.06 use Form G.01 (new application) or G.02 (renewal).
Submit Application Online
Apply through the Expatriates Unit Portal at expatriates.identita.gov.mt. Family members must usually be outside Malta at the time of submission.
Pay Fees
Application fee: €50 for both new and renewal applications under S.L. 217.06.
Wait for Decision
S.L. 217.06: decision within 9 months of application (longer in complex cases). Family Members Policy: decision within 60 days of complete submission. Once approved, family members can apply for an entry visa.
7. Who Is Excluded
The Family Member Policy does not apply to the following groups, who fall under separate legal frameworks:
Outside the Policy
- • EU/EEA/Swiss citizens and their family members
- • Refugees and beneficiaries of subsidiary protection (covered by separate refugee-family rules)
- • Holders of Specific Residence Authorisation (SRA) status
- • Holders of other specific residence documents issued under Maltese law (e.g. permanent residence schemes with their own family rules)
Student Exceptions
The 12-month sponsor tenure waiting period may not apply to students of specified institutions, including:
- • Institute of Tourism Studies (ITS)
- • Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST)
- • University of Malta
Always confirm directly with Identità — student status alone does not guarantee approval.
8. Frequently Asked Questions
Which scheme should I apply under?
Family Reunification (S.L. 217.06) is the main legal pathway and applies if you meet all conditions in the regulations. The Family Members Policy is a non-statutory policy used by Identità for sponsors who do not (yet) meet S.L. 217.06 requirements but qualify under separate criteria. Consult Identità Malta for guidance on which route fits your situation.
Can I combine income with my spouse?
Under S.L. 217.06 the sponsor must demonstrate sufficient individual stable resources. At renewal, contributions of family members already in Malta to the household income may be taken into account (Reg. 18).
How long does the process take?
Under S.L. 217.06, the Director must decide within 9 months of submission (extendable in complex cases). Under the Family Members Policy, the standard decision time is 60 days from a complete submission.
Can my family work in Malta?
Under S.L. 217.06 (Reg. 15), family members get the same access to employment as the sponsor — but for the first 12 months after arrival, their employment is subject to a labour market assessment and an employment licence requirement. Under the Family Members Policy, residence does not automatically grant employment rights — a separate Single Permit is required.
Do I have to wait before applying?
Under S.L. 217.06 you must hold a Malta residence permit valid for at least 1 year and have reasonable prospects of permanent residence. Under the Family Member Policy you must wait 12 calendar months from the date your initial permit was first issued — except for Key Employee / Specialist Employee Initiative holders with an approval-in-principle letter who meet the enhanced gross-income threshold of €50,000 (sponsor + 1 dependent) plus €6,000 per additional dependent, who may apply earlier.
Can I sponsor my parents or adult children?
It depends on the scheme. Under S.L. 217.06 (Reg. 4), only spouses aged 21+ in a monogamous marriage and unmarried minor children qualify — adult children and parents are not eligible (limited exception for unaccompanied minor refugees, Reg. 24). Under the Family Member Policy, Identità explicitly recognises dependent unmarried adult family members (e.g. an elderly parent or a dependent sibling), provided you can document financial or physical dependency on the sponsor.
What income counts toward the €18,940 + 20% threshold?
Identità accepts employment income, social benefits (old-age, sickness, disability, family allowances), property rental income, unemployment and housing benefits, and regular cash transfers — provided the income is declared with the Commissioner of Revenue. The figure used is net: gross income minus income tax and social security contributions.
Why is the median wage figure dated June 2024?
Identità's Family Member Policy page lists the €18,940 net median wage as of June 2024. The figure is reviewed periodically and may rise as Malta's median wage rises. The 20% per-family-member uplift applies to the median wage, so a future revision will affect both the base threshold and the uplift simultaneously. Always cross-check the latest number with Identità before submitting.
Does Family Member Policy approval grant the right to work?
No. A residence permit issued under the Family Member Policy is not, by itself, a work permit — the family member must apply for a Single Permit separately if they wish to take up employment in Malta.
Calculate Your Salary Requirement
Use our Family Reunification Calculator to find out the exact minimum salary you need to sponsor your family members under both schemes.
Calculate NowMalta Calculator Editorial Team
Financial Content Specialists | Malta Tax & Employment Experts
Our team specializes in Maltese tax law, social security contributions, and employment regulations. All content is reviewed against official sources from the Malta Commissioner for Revenue and the Department of Social Security.
Official Sources
- Identità Malta - Family Reunification (Forms G.01 / G.02)
- Identità Malta - Family Member Permit
- Identità Malta - Family Members Policy
- Subsidiary Legislation 217.06 - Family Reunification Regulations
Data verified as of 2 February 2026. Rates and thresholds are subject to change based on Malta government budget announcements.
Share this article
this process is honestly so stressful. been waiting 4 months for my wife's visa. the salary threshold information here is accurate though - make sure you meet it before applying!
hang in there! ours took 5 months but finally got approved. the waiting is the hardest part. make sure all your documents are perfect the first time to avoid delays
Thank you for such a detailed guide! My husband works in Malta and we're applying for family reunification. The document checklist at the end saved us a lot of time and confusion 💕
Good guide but I want to add - make sure your accommodation meets the requirements too. Identity Malta checks that your apartment/house is adequate for the number of family members.
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