Am I Entitled to Sick Pay When I’m Ill in Malta?
Waking up with a pounding headache and a fever in a humid Sliema apartment while worrying about your rent is a stressful rite of passage for every newcomer in Malta. I remember my first bout of Maltese flu; I was terrified that taking three days off would leave me short on my utility bill. This guide clarifies exactly how sick pay works so you aren't left guessing.
Understanding the Difference Between Sick Leave and Sick Benefit
In Malta, the system is split into two distinct parts: sick leave provided by your employer and the sickness benefit provided by the Department of Social Security. This often confuses expats who expect a single, unified payment from their company. When you fall ill, your employer is generally responsible for the initial period of your absence, but the duration and the amount depend heavily on your specific employment contract and the Wage Regulation Order (WRO) governing your industry.
For instance, if you are working in the iGaming sector in St. Julian’s or a tech firm in Birkirkara, your contract might offer "full pay" for a certain number of days. However, if you work in hospitality or retail, you might find that your employer only pays for the first few days before the government system kicks in. It is vital to realize that "sick leave" is your entitlement to stay home without losing your job, whereas "sick pay" or "sickness benefit" is the actual cash that lands in your bank account to replace your lost wages.
If you are a digital nomad or a freelancer just starting out, you might not be fully integrated into the local social security system yet. In these early months, having a reliable backup like SafetyWing can be a lifesaver, as the local state benefit usually requires a history of contributions before it becomes accessible.
Your Employer’s Obligations and the First Three Days
For most employees in Malta, the first three days of any sickness are often referred to as the "waiting period." Historically, many Wage Regulation Orders stipulated that the employer does not have to pay for these first three days, but this is rapidly changing in modern employment contracts. You must check your contract to see if your company offers "benefit from day one."
If your contract follows the standard legal minimum, your employer pays you your full salary for a set number of days per year. Once those "employer-paid" days are exhausted, you transition to the Social Security system. Even if your employer is paying you in full, they will usually deduct the amount you are entitled to receive from the government from your paycheck. This prevents "double-dipping," where an employee would earn more while sick than while working.
To ensure your employer respects these rights, you must follow the company’s reporting procedure. Most Maltese companies require you to call in before 9:00 AM. Failure to do so can result in a "disallowed" day of leave, even if you have a valid medical certificate later. If you are ever unsure about your standing, it helps to understand How Maltese Health Entitlement Fits with Social Security Contributions to see how your taxes are working for you.
The Social Security Sickness Benefit Explained
Once the employer's primary obligation is met—or if you are in a situation where the employer only pays half-rate—the Department of Social Security steps in. The Sickness Benefit is a daily rate paid to individuals who are unfit for work due to illness or injury. To qualify, you must have paid at least 50 weeks of Social Security contributions (Class 1 or Class 2) since you started working in Malta, and at least 20 of those must have been paid or credited in the last two years.
This "contribution test" is the biggest hurdle for new expats. If you moved to Gzira six months ago and fall seriously ill, you might find you haven't hit that 50-week threshold yet. This is why it is advisable for newcomers to maintain their own private coverage through SafetyWing during their first year on the island. Without those 50 weeks of contributions, the Maltese government is not obligated to pay you a cent in sickness benefits.
The benefit is not a replacement for your full salary. It is a fixed daily rate that varies based on whether you are a "Single Parent/Married Person whose spouse does not work" or a "Single Person." For 2026, these rates are adjusted for inflation but remain modest compared to the high cost of living in hubs like Valletta or Sliema.
| Category of Claimant | Daily Rate (Approximate 2026) | Waiting Period |
|---|---|---|
| Married Person (Spouse not working) | €23.50 | 3 Days |
| Single Person / Other | €15.20 | 3 Days |
| Self-Employed (Class 2) | Same as above | 3 Days |
The Vital Importance of the Blue Form
In Malta, a simple "I'm sick" email to your boss isn't enough to secure your pay. You need a medical certificate, commonly known as the "Blue Form" (NI13). You must visit a doctor on the very first day of your illness. If you wait until day three to see a GP, the Social Security department will usually only recognize your sickness from the date of the doctor's visit, meaning you lose out on the previous days of pay.
You can find a doctor at local pharmacies in almost every village, from Marsascala to Mellieha. They usually charge between €15 and €35 for a consultation. The doctor will fill out the Blue Form, which has three parts: one for you, one for your employer, and one that must be sent to the Social Security department. Many doctors also use the online portal to submit these, but you should always ask for the physical copy just in case.
Remember that you have a strict 10-day window to submit this form to the Department of Social Security. If you miss this deadline, your claim will likely be rejected. If you are unsure where to find a doctor, you should look into Registering with a Health Centre and Choosing a GP in Malta to find the nearest public or private options.
Sick Pay for the Self-Employed and Freelancers
If you are self-employed in Malta, paying Class 2 Social Security contributions, you are still entitled to sickness benefits, but the process is slightly more rigorous. Since you don't have an employer to pay for the "waiting period," those first three days are generally unpaid unless you have a private insurance policy.
The government will pay you the Sickness Benefit from the fourth day of illness onwards, provided you meet the contribution requirements. For freelancers, the loss of income during a two-week bout of illness can be devastating. This is another scenario where SafetyWing provides a crucial safety net, as it can help cover medical costs that the state system might not fully address for those who haven't yet reached the required contribution milestones.
Many self-employed expats are surprised to learn that their benefit is tied to their previous year’s declared income. If you were "between jobs" or had a low-earning year previously, your benefit rate might be affected. To understand the broader context of your contributions, it is worth checking Do Self-Employed People Get Health Entitlement in Malta? to ensure you are fully covered for more than just a short-term flu.
How Part-Time Workers are Affected
Part-time employment is common in Malta’s vibrant tourism and service sectors. If you are working part-time, your entitlement to sick leave is calculated on a "pro-rata" basis. This means if a full-time worker in your industry gets 15 days of sick leave per year, and you work 20 hours a week (half of a standard 40-hour week), you are entitled to 7.5 days of sick leave.
The social security aspect remains the same: you must still meet the 50-week and 20-week contribution tests. If you work multiple part-time jobs, which is a common strategy to afford the rising rents in St. Paul's Bay, make sure every employer is registered and that you are receiving a payslip showing your NI deductions. Without these records, proving your entitlement becomes a nightmare of bureaucracy.
If you are currently on a visa that limits your hours, you should be particularly careful about your records. For more on this, read about Sickness Benefit in Malta: Your Rights When You Can't Work to see how partial contributions impact your total benefit.
Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
The most frequent mistake I see expats make is assuming the system is automatic. It is not. You have to be proactive. Another common issue is the "NI Number." If your employer hasn't correctly registered your National Insurance number, your contributions won't be linked to your ID card, and the Social Security office will see you as having "zero contributions."
Always check your payslip. If the NI deduction isn't there, you aren't building up your right to sick pay. Furthermore, if you are a non-EU citizen on a work permit, your right to Do I Get Free Healthcare in Malta If I Pay Social Security? is linked to these same contributions.
A second pitfall is the "10-day rule." Many people wait until they are better to mail their forms. By then, it’s often too late. Use the online "mySocialSecurity" portal if you have an e-ID; it is significantly faster and provides a digital trail of your submission. If you don't have an e-ID yet, you'll need to learn How Do I Register for Health Entitlement with the Entitlement Unit in Malta to get your administrative affairs in order.
What Happens During Long-Term Illness?
If your illness extends beyond a few weeks, the situation changes. The standard Sickness Benefit has a maximum duration—usually 156 days in a calendar year, though this can be extended in specific cases of major surgery or chronic disease. After this period, you may be required to appear before a Medical Board to determine if you qualify for an Invalidity Pension.
During long-term illness, the gap between the government benefit and your actual living expenses becomes glaring. This is why many expats choose to supplement the state system. While Private Healthcare and Insurance in Malta: When You Need Cover focuses on treatment, it also touches on the financial security that comes with knowing you won't be reliant solely on a €15-a-day government check.
If you find yourself in a situation where you cannot return to your previous job, the government offers rehabilitation services. However, the wait times for public specialists can be long. Exploring What Public Healthcare Costs in Malta: Free Services and Paid Extras can help you budget for private consultations that might speed up your recovery and return to work.
Managing Your Health as an Expat
The humidity in the Maltese winter (yes, it gets surprisingly cold and damp indoors!) and the intense heat of the summer can take a toll on your immune system. Moving here is a major life change, and it's normal to get sick more often in your first year as your body adjusts to the local environment.
Don't let the fear of "how will I pay for this?" stop you from seeing a doctor. If you are prepared with the right information and a backup plan like SafetyWing, a week in bed with a fever becomes a minor inconvenience rather than a financial catastrophe. Make sure you know How Do I Get a Sick Certificate from a Doctor in Malta? before you actually need one, as trying to find a doctor while you have a 39-degree fever is never fun.
Disclaimer
This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Regulations regarding social security and employment law in Malta are subject to change. Always consult with the Department of Social Security, your HR department, or a qualified legal professional regarding your specific circumstances and entitlements.
