Malta: immigration

How many immigrants come to Malta each year?

34,033 people moved to Malta in 2024, according to Eurostat, down 19.4% from 42,239 in 2023.

The figure counts immigrants, people who establish their usual residence in Malta for at least 12 months, including returning Maltese citizens. It does not deduct people who leave, so it is not net migration. In 2025, Malta issued 32,693 first residence permits to people from outside the EU, according to Eurostat, which is a different measure because permits can be shorter than a year.

Official sources: Eurostat: immigration, Malta · Eurostat: first residence permits, Malta

How many foreigners live in Malta?

168,938 foreign citizens lived in Malta on 1 January 2025, 29.4% of the population of 574,250, according to Eurostat. Of these, 45,771 were citizens of other EU countries (8.0% of the population) and 123,167 were citizens of countries outside the EU (21.4%).

Maltese citizens numbered 405,312. The figures count people by citizenship, so foreign-born people who have become Maltese citizens are counted as Maltese. In 2024, 1,145 people acquired Maltese citizenship, according to Eurostat.

Official sources: Eurostat: population by citizenship, Malta · Eurostat: acquisition of citizenship, Malta

How do non-EU nationals get a work permit in Malta?

Non-EU nationals need a residence permit to work in Malta, and the first step is an employment offer from an employer in Malta, according to Identità. The permit is tied to the job, the employer and the duration; if any of these change, the holder must inform Identità's Expatriates Unit and return the residence card.

The permit does not give the right to work elsewhere in the EU. Malta issued 16,289 first residence permits for employment in 2025, up from 14,596 in 2024, out of 32,693 first permits in total, according to Eurostat. A further 8,095 were for education and 2,856 for family reasons.

Official sources: Identità: employment in Malta for non-EU nationals · Eurostat: first residence permits by reason, Malta

Do I need a visa to visit Malta?

Malta is part of the Schengen area, so short-stay visas follow common Schengen rules, according to Identità, whose Central Visa Unit issues visas for Malta. A Schengen visa allows transit or a stay of no more than 90 days in any 180-day period.

Identità explains that Schengen states apply common rules and procedures to short-stay visas, asylum requests and border checks, and have removed checks at internal borders. Whether a visitor needs a visa depends on their nationality; separate national visas apply to longer stays, such as for study.

Official sources: Identità: Schengen visa

How many people seek asylum in Malta?

405 people applied for asylum in Malta for the first time in 2025, according to Eurostat. There were 440 first-time applicants in 2024 and 490 in 2023.

The count covers first-time applicants only, not repeat applications, and is rounded to the nearest five. An application is not a decision: applicants may be granted protection, refused or have their cases still pending. The number of applicants has fallen each year since 2023.

Official sources: Eurostat: first-time asylum applicants, Malta

How many immigrants live in Malta?

The UN Population Division puts the share of people born abroad in Malta at 37.0% in 2024. In 2015 the figure was 11.8%. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 11.5%; Malta is 8th highest of 22. Worldwide: 13th of 193.

How many people move to Malta each year?

The UN Population Division puts net migration in Malta at 5,161 in 2025. The peak was 20,302 in 2019 and the low 741 in 2010. It is 10th highest of 22 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is -376. World rank, highest first: 51st of 193.

How many refugees live in Malta?

UNHCR puts the number of refugees in the country in Malta at 8,306 in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 1,942 (2005) to 11,724 (2023). Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 15,377, and Malta placed 13th highest of 22. Of 169 countries with 2025 data, 96th highest.

How many refugees have fled Malta?

In 2025, the number of refugees from the country living abroad in Malta was 11, according to UNHCR. Its high point since 2006 was 2006, at 25; its low point was 2015, at 0. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 7,322, and Malta placed 22nd highest of 22. World rank, highest first: 177th of 189.

How much money do migrants send home to Malta?

0.1% of GDP: that is personal remittances received in Malta for 2024, according to the World Bank. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 0.7% of GDP; Malta is 11th highest of 14. World rank, highest first: 147th of 156.