Bringing Your Family to Malta: What You Need to Know About Family Reunification

If you're planning to move to Malta for work or already hold a residence permit, you might be wondering how to bring your loved ones with you. Malta allows legally residing non-EU nationals to reunite with their family members, provided specific conditions are met.

In this blog, we break down the key requirements and processes involved in Malta's family reunification policy.

Can Family Members Join You in Malta?

If you’re a third-country national living and working in Malta, you may be eligible to reunite with your close family members, including your spouse and children under Malta’s Family Reunification Policy.

This right is granted under EU law and allows eligible workers to bring their families to live with them legally in Malta.

To qualify, you must:

• Have legally resided in Malta for at least one year.

• Hold a residence permit valid for at least one more year.

• Provide suitable accommodation for your family.

• Have stable financial resources that meet or exceed the average Maltese wage, plus 20% for each family member you wish to bring.

• Have adequate health insurance to cover any dependent family members not engaged in employment.
  

This policy enables families to stay together and support one another while residing in Malta. Once approved, your family members may be issued residence permits that allow them to live and sometimes work in Malta.

Who Is Considered a Family Member?

Malta recognizes the following as eligible family members under its reunification policy:

• Your spouse or partner (both must be at least 21 years old).

• Your minor children, including adopted and stepchildren.

• Adult children who are unmarried and financially or medically dependent on you.

• In some cases, extended family members may be eligible, but these are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Required Documents

To apply for family reunification, you must prepare and submit the following:

• A completed and signed Form G for each family member.

• A copy of your residence permit and proof of legal stay in Malta.

• Marriage and/or birth certificates translated and legalized if necessary.

• Proof of adequate accommodation (e.g. a declaration from an architect or property owner).

• Evidence of your financial means, such as payslips or bank statements.

• Health insurance documents.

• Passports of all family members.
  

Applications and supporting documents must be sent to Identità’s Expatriates Unit by email before your family members travel to Malta.

Step-by-Step Application Procedure

The family reunification process is coordinated by Identità (formerly Identity Malta Agency). Here's how it works:

1. Submit an Eligibility Request

   If your family members are outside Malta, you (the sponsor) must email noneu.ima@gov.mt with all relevant documents. This includes your proof of legal residence, income, accommodation, and family relationship.

2. Wait for Confirmation

   Identità will assess your eligibility and send written confirmation if your request is approved.

3. Apply for a Visa (If Required)

   If your family members are from a country subject to visa requirements, they must apply for a visa at the Maltese Embassy or Consulate in their country of origin or residence before traveling to Malta.

4. Submit the Residence Permit Application

   Once your family members arrive in Malta (with the proper visa, if applicable), the residence permit application must be submitted in person to the Expatriates Unit of Identità.

⚠️ Important:
Applications must be submitted while your family members are still abroad. If they are already in Malta when applying (except for newborn children born locally), the application will be considered inadmissible, and no further authorization for residence will be granted.

Special Considerations for Refugees

If you have been granted refugee status in Malta, you may apply for family reunification within three months of receiving your status. In this case, you are not required to meet the usual conditions regarding income, accommodation, or insurance.

Validity and Renewal

Family members approved for reunification will receive residence permits valid for the same duration as yours (typically one year). These permits can be renewed annually.

After five years of continuous legal stay in Malta, spouses and adult children may be eligible to apply for an independent residence permit.

Can Family Members Work in Malta?

Yes, family members who enter through family reunification may apply for a work license to be employed in Malta. However, depending on their permit type and age, they may need to apply for a separate Single Work Permit.

Final Thoughts

Moving to a new country is already a big step—bringing your family along makes it even more meaningful. Malta’s family reunification policy is designed to support stable and united households, provided that sponsors can meet the necessary criteria.

At Skills Pass Malta, we support skilled migrants in every step of their journey — from certification and English training to understanding immigration policies like this one.

If you’re preparing to live and work in Malta and wish to reunite with your family, make sure you’re informed and ready.