The Family Reunification route, regulated under Subsidiary Legislation 217.06, allows a third-country national (TCN) legally residing in Malta to be joined by his/her family members from abroad. This process ensures that families of non-EU nationals can live together lawfully in Malta.

To qualify under this route, the sponsor (the person residing in Malta) must:

• Hold a valid residence permit issued by Identità.
• Have resided legally and continuously in Malta for at least two years at the time of application.
• Demonstrate stable and regular income, adequate accommodation, and comprehensive health insurance to support the incoming family members.

Once these conditions are met, the sponsor may submit an application to bring in eligible family members — such as a spouse and minor children, subject to verification and approval by the Expatriates Unit.

The family reunification process aims to preserve family unity while ensuring that all applicants meet the legal and financial standards set out under Maltese immigration law.

Under Family Reunification S.L.217.06  only the core family can join. These include:

• Spouse: a legally married husband or wife. The spouse must be at least 21 and the marriage monogamous (no polygamy). If the sponsor is already here with one spouse, they cannot add another.
• Minor children: unmarried children under 18, including adopted children, of the sponsor and/or the spouse. If the child is from a previous relationship, the applying parent needs full custody or consent from the other parent. The child must depend on the parent. All adoptions must be recognised by Maltese law.

Other relatives (like parents or adult children) are not covered by this formal route. Those cases might be considered only under the separate Family Members.

When applying for family reunification under Subsidiary Legislation 217.06, both the sponsor (the third-country national residing in Malta) and the family member(s) abroad must submit a complete set of supporting documents. These documents serve to prove the family relationship, legal residence, financial stability, and adequate accommodation in Malta.
Below is the full list of required documentation as outlined in Form G.01:

1. Covering Letter

• A signed letter by the sponsor confirming:
  o That he/she has resided legally in Malta for at least the last two years.
  o The reasons for requesting family reunification.
  o The intention and prospects for permanent residence in Malta.

2. Proof of Legal Residence

• A copy of the sponsor’s valid residence permit (valid for at least one year).
• Any evidence supporting future residence prospects in Malta (e.g., stable employment, long-term lease, etc.).

3. Proof of Family Relationship

• Apostilled or legalised certificates confirming the relationship with the sponsor:
  o Marriage certificate (for spouse applications).
  o Birth certificate(s) (for minor children).
• Documents must be issued in English or Maltese. If in another language, a certified translation must be provided. The list for recognised ‘certified translators’ may be found on Identità’s website or made available through this link https://identita.gov.mt/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Translators-List-Online-27-Oct-2025.pdf.

4. Proof of Accommodation

• An architect’s attestation confirming that the accommodation meets general health and safety standards and is suitable for a comparable family in Malta.
• A copy of the lease agreement of the property.
• A Housing Authority approval letter confirming that the lease agreement has been registered.
• Lease Attestation Form (downloadable from Identità’s website) must also be submitted. This form must be signed by the landlord and countersigned by a lawyer, notary, or legal procurator.

5. Proof of Financial Means

• Evidence of stable and regular income must be provided, showing that the sponsor meets at least the required financial threshold.
  (Under S.L. 217.06, financial eligibility is assessed using the sponsor’s basic gross income from his/her primary employment. In other words, the hourly rate.) Whereby bonuses, allowances, overtime, and income derived from part-time employment is not taken into consideration under the legislation.
  Only one sponsor may be considered for financial assessment under this provision.
  o The average wage in Malta, plus an additional 20% for each dependent included in the reunification application.
• These include:
  o Recent payslips,
  o Employment contracts, or
  o Tax declarations (where applicable).

6. Health Insurance

• A health insurance policy for the dependent covering:
  o Medical treatment and hospitalisation in Malta (and other EU countries if required).
  o A minimum coverage of €100,000.
  o Full validity for the entire first year of the permit.
  o Must provide coverage for both in-patient and outpatient treatment.
• The insurance must be submitted online and presented during the biometric appointment.

7. Passports

• Full copies of the family member’s passport(s), including:
  o Bio-data page,
  o Entry/exit stamps, and
  o Any valid visas etc...

8. Custody Documents (if applicable)

• If the family member is a minor:
  o Sole custody: Legal proof of custody and care.
  o Shared custody: A signed agreement of consent from the other parent allowing the child to relocate to Malta. If such consent letter is drafted from the parent residing abroad, it will need to be notarised from abroad and Apostilled/Full Legalised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and translated accordingly. In other instances where both parents are residents in Malta but residing apart, a consent letter signed by both parents (and notarised locally) is required. The passport bio-page of both parents may be required to authenticate such signature on the consent letter.

9. Health Screening

• As required by Identità and the Ministry for Health, a health screening is mandatory. ( health screening is provided at biometrics stage )
  Guidance is provided at:
  https://hpdp.gov.mt/idcu/health_screening/family_reunification

10. Other Notes

• All foreign documents must be apostilled or legalised and, if not in English/Maltese, translated by a registered translator in Malta.
• Identità may request additional documentation where necessary.

Applications for family reunification must be submitted online through the Maltese Expatriates Portal (under the Non-EU Nationals section).

Link - https://expatriates.identita.gov.mt/

The sponsor (the third-country national already residing in Malta) is required to:

1. Log in to the portal and complete Form G.01 for each family member.
2. Upload all required supporting documents as listed in the official checklist.

It is important to note that:

• The sponsor must have resided legally in Malta for at least two (2) years prior to applying.
• All family members must be physically outside Malta at the time of application.
  o If a spouse or child is found to be in Malta (for example, on a tourist visa), the application will be refused immediately.

Once the application is reviewed, Identità will issue an approval in principle. Following this, the family member(s) must obtain the appropriate visa before travelling to Malta.

Each family member included in the application is subject to an application fee, which must be paid online when submitting the form through the Maltese Expatriates Portal.
As per the current schedule, the fee is €50 per applicant, although applicants are encouraged to verify the latest rates directly on Identità’s website before applying.

Once the application and documents are submitted, the law provides up to nine (9) months for a final decision. However, in practice, Identità generally aims to process standard applications within approximately 60 days.

During the assessment, Identità reviews all submitted documentation and conducts background checks on each adult family member. Delays may occur if additional information or clarification is required, so applicants are advised to respond promptly to any communication from Identità.

In most straightforward cases, a complete and compliant application is decided within two months from submission.

Once family reunification is approved, Identità will send an approval-in-principle letter. If your relatives come from visa-required countries, they must use this letter to apply for a long-term (“National D”) visa at the Maltese embassy or consulate. If Malta has no mission in their country, the Central Visa Unit can help apply through another Schengen embassy.

If they come from visa-exempt countries, they can simply travel to Malta (up to 90 days) and show the approval letter when entering. After entering Malta (or immediately if visa-exempt), each family member must email noneu.identita@gov.mt a copy of their approval letter. This alerts Identità to schedule their biometrics appointment, where they will register their fingerprints and finalise the residence permit process. (At that appointment, original passports, certificates, and any missed documents will be checked.)

Once everything is in order, the official residence cards are issued.

If your family reunification application is refused, Identità will issue a written notification outlining the reasons for the decision.

Common reasons for refusal may include:

• Not meeting the financial or accommodation requirements;
• Missing or incomplete documentation;
• The sponsor not having resided in Malta for 2 years before submission of his dependants.
• The applicant may already be in Malta.

Both the sponsor and the family member(s) have the right to appeal the decision before the Immigration Appeals Board (IAB) in Malta. The letter of refusal will specify the deadline for submitting an appeal and the procedure to follow.

Family reunification permits issued under S.L. 217.06 can be renewed annually, provided that the original conditions of approval remain valid. The first permit is normally valid for one (1) year. Renewal applications must be submitted online via the Maltese Expatriates Portal.

When to apply

You should apply 6 – 8 weeks before the current permit expires to allow sufficient processing time. The renewal is made using Form G.02 for each family member.

Documents required for renewal

According to Form G.02, the sponsor must provide updated documentation proving that the eligibility criteria under S.L. 217.06 are still being met. This includes:

1. Copy of the sponsor’s valid Maltese residence permit (must remain valid throughout the renewal).
2. Proof of stable and regular resources — evidence that the sponsor’s income still meets the required financial threshold:
   o Equivalent to at least the average wage in Malta, plus an additional 20% for each dependent family member.
   o This can be shown through recent payslips, employment contracts etc…
3. Proof of accommodation that meets national health and safety standards, such as:
   o An architect’s attestation (if not already submitted in a previous application),
   o A copy of the current lease agreement, and
   o The Housing Authority Approval letter/Email that the lease has been registered.
   o If the address has changed, a new Lease Attestation Form must also be provided.
4. Health insurance covering each family member for the upcoming year, or proof of national insurance contributions for the preceding six (6) months.
5. For children aged 18 and over, valid health insurance coverage must be shown.
6. Updated passport copies and current residence permits for each family member. If a new passport was issued, provide copies of all passport pages.
7. Custody documents (if applicable):
   o Sole custody: Legal proof of care and custody.
   o Shared custody: Written consent (notarised ) from the other parent allowing the child to remain in Malta.

During processing

• Identità will verify that the sponsor and dependents continue to meet all legal and financial requirements, that there are no criminal or immigration issues, and that the sponsor’s own permit remains valid.
• While the renewal is being processed, family members may remain in Malta, provided the application was submitted before the current permit’s expiry.

If the circumstances under which your permit was granted change, Identità may refuse to renew or revoke the permit. This can occur, for example, if:

• The sponsor loses their job or their income falls below the required financial threshold.
• The sponsor’s own residence permit is withdrawn or expires.
• The sponsor leaves Malta or no longer resides lawfully in the country.
• There is non-compliance with the permit’s conditions.
• There is evidence of fraud, such as the submission of falsified documents, or serious criminal conduct by the sponsor or any family member.

If Identità decides to refuse or revoke a permit, the applicant will be formally notified in writing. In such cases applicants still have the right to appeal the decision before the Immigration Appeals Board.

yes (with conditions) - A family reunification permit on its own does not grant the right to work in Malta.

In such cases applicants must apply for an employment licence through Jobsplus once their permit under S.L. 217.06 has been renewed after the first year of residency.

Family Reunification permits are renewable and may allow family members to reside in Malta long-term, provided that all original conditions remain satisfied.

By law, the first permit is valid for one (1) year. The duration may also depend on the sponsor’s residence permit — if the sponsor’s permit is valid for less than one year, the dependant’s permit will match that same validity.

From the first renewal onward, the validity period may be extended. For example, if the sponsor holds a multi-year residence permit (such as a 3-year or 5-year permit), the dependant’s permit may be issued for the same duration. In the case of children, their permit can only be renewed until they reach the age of 18.

As long as the sponsor continues to meet all legal and financial requirements and maintains lawful residence in Malta, the family may continue renewing their permits indefinitely, allowing them to reside in Malta for the long term.

However, if the sponsor leaves Malta, loses their residence status, or fails to meet renewal conditions, the family members’ permits will also cease to be valid, and they will normally be required to leave Malta.

The Family Members Policy is an ex-gratia measure introduced by the Maltese Government to complement the formal Family Reunification Regulations (S.L. 217.06).

While family reunification is normally regulated by law under S.L. 217.06, not every person residing in Malta meets all the legal conditions required to apply under that legislation. To address such situations, the Government allows — on a discretionary and case-by-case basis — certain family members to join their sponsor in Malta, provided that the conditions set out in the policy are fulfilled - https://identita.gov.mt/expatriates-unit-main-page/noneu-nationals/non-employment-permits/family-members-policy/

In simple terms, this policy offers an alternative route for family reunification when applicants do not fully qualify under the formal legal framework, as long as all policy requirements are satisfied.

The Family Members Policy follows the same general framework as the formal Family Reunification route, with a few differences in eligibility criteria. In summary:

• The sponsor must be a third-country national (non-EU) holding a valid work permit (other employment eligible permits are accepted) that is valid for at least one year.
• The sponsor must have resided legally in Malta for a minimum of 12 months before submitting the application.
  (Applications filed within the sponsor’s first year of residence are not accepted, except under the KEI/SEI categories.)
• The sponsor must demonstrate stable and regular income that meets the policy’s income threshold and must also provide suitable accommodation for the family.

Eligible family members under this policy include:

• The spouse (in a monogamous marriage, aged at least 21 years).
• Unmarried minor children (under 18), including legally adopted children.
• Children from previous relationships, provided the sponsoring parent holds custody and the other parent consents.

In exceptional cases, additional dependents may be considered — for example, an adult child over 18 or a parent who is genuinely financially or physically dependent on the sponsor. Such cases require strong proof of dependency and are assessed individually.

This policy does not apply to:

• EU/EEA nationals or their family members (covered under separate EU legislation);
• Refugees or persons under international protection (covered by other rules);
• Diplomats or holders of very short-term residence permits.

The policy does not apply to:

• EU/EEA/Swiss citizens or their family members (they use EU free-movement rules instead).
• Refugees and humanitarian residents: If the sponsor is a refugee, has subsidiary protection, or a special humanitarian permit (SRA), their family reunification is handled under protection laws, not this policy.

The requirements are largely the same as those set under the formal Family Reunification Regulations (S.L. 217.06) and are designed to ensure that the sponsor can adequately support their family in Malta.

Income Requirements

The sponsor must earn at least the current median annual wage in Malta plus an additional 20% for each dependent family member being reunited.

Under the policy, only the sponsor’s net income (after tax and social contributions) is taken into consideration.

More than one sponsor may be accepted, but only if both individuals are directly related to the dependant (applicant). For instance, both parents may act as joint sponsors when applying for their child’s residence permit. However, extended family members such as siblings, uncles, aunts, or other relatives cannot act as sponsors under this policy.

(Note: In cases where two sponsors are accepted, both incomes may be combined for assessment purposes; however, one sponsor will still be considered as an additional dependant, in line with internal procedures.)

The income must be stable, regular, and declared to the Maltese tax authorities. Acceptable income sources include:

• Salary ( Payslips/Work Contract/ Fs3’s etc… )
• Social benefits or allowances

Informal or undeclared cash income is not accepted. The sponsor’s net income after tax and social contributions should still meet or exceed the required threshold.

Housing Requirements

The sponsor must provide suitable accommodation in Malta that is appropriate for the family’s size and meets national health and safety standards.

This can be shown through:

• A registered lease agreement or proof of property ownership;
• A Lease Attestation Form
• An architect’s report or attestation confirming that the property meets the required living standards.

The lease must be registered with the Housing Authority, and Identità may request to verify the lease, ownership documents, or the property’s suitability during processing.

A one-room dwelling is not considered adequate for a couple or family. The accommodation should prevent overcrowding and allow reasonable living space for all members.

Sponsors are expected to maintain these conditions—both income and housing—throughout the family’s stay in Malta. It is advisable to maintain an income level above the minimum threshold to account for any financial fluctuations.

Yes. The policy has an exception for KEI/SEI work permit holders, similar to the formal route. A sponsor under KEI/SEI can apply for family members immediately (without waiting 12 months) if they meet the extra requirements:

• High salary: At least €50,000 gross for the sponsor and one dependent, plus €6,000 for each extra dependent.
• Health insurance: Private coverage of €100,000 per dependent (medical expenses).
• Schooling: If school-age children are joining, the sponsor must show the child is enrolled or in the process of enrolling in a private school in Malta.

If these are met, Identità will waive the 12-month requirement and allow an application right after the sponsor’s own permit is approved.

When applying under Malta’s Family Members Policy, the sponsor must submit all relevant documents through Identità’s Online Portal – (https://expatriates.identita.gov.mt/) to show that both the sponsor and the family member meet the policy’s requirements.

Below is the required documentation as listed in Form G.05:

1. Covering Request

• A written request from the sponsor addressed to Identità, stating the wish for the family member to join them in Malta.
  This letter must include:
  o The duration of the sponsor’s stay in Malta;
  o The relationship with the family member;
  o The intended place of residence where the family will live; and
  o The expected duration of stay in Malta.

2. Identification Documents

• Copy of all passport pages of the family member.
• Apostilled or legalised civil-status certificates, such as birth or marriage certificates, proving the relationship between the sponsor and the family member.
  (All documents must be in English or Maltese; otherwise, they must be translated by a certified translator.)

3. Proof of Financial Means

• Evidence of stable and regular income declared with the Office of the Commissioner for Revenue, showing:
  o At least the median annual wage in Malta, plus 20% for each additional dependent being reunited.
• Last six (6) payslips or proof of income covering the previous six months.

4. Proof of Accommodation

• Architect’s attestation confirming that the accommodation meets Malta’s health and safety standards.
• Copy of the lease agreement or proof of property ownership.
• Housing Authority approval letter showing that the lease is registered.
• Lease Agreement Attestation Form (available on Identità’s website)

5. Health Insurance

• A valid health-insurance policy covering each family member, with:
  o Minimum coverage of €100,000,
  o Cover for medical treatment and hospitalisation in Malta, and
  o Full validity for at least the first year of residence.
  o Must provide coverage for both in-patient and out-patient treatment.
• For children aged 18 and over, individual proof of health insurance must be included.

6. Custody Documentation (if applicable)

• If the family member is a minor child:
  o Sole custody: proof of full legal custody and care.
  o Shared custody: signed and certified consent from the other parent allowing the child to reside in Malta.

7. Health Screening

•  A medical check is required after arrival. Guidance and forms are available at:
  https://hpdp.gov.mt/idcu/health_screening/family_reunification

Additional Notes

• All foreign documents must be apostilled or legalised and translated into English or Maltese by a registered translator.
• Identità may request additional documentation as needed during the evaluation process.

Applications under the Family Members Policy are submitted online through the Maltese Expatriates Portal. The sponsor must complete and upload Form G.05 for each family member, together with all required supporting documents.

Applicants should only apply after at least 12 months of legal residence in Malta, unless they qualify under the KEI/SEI exception. As with the formal family reunification route, family members must be outside Malta when the application is submitted.
If the spouse or child is already in Malta ( such as tourist visa etc… ), the application will be considered inadmissible and must instead be filed from abroad.(this requirement does not apply to Newborns born in Malta)

Each family-member application carries a €50 fee, payable online upon submission.

Once all documentation is received, Identità will review the file and conduct background and verification checks (including through the Immigration Police).
The Agency generally aims to issue a decision within 60 days of submission.

If the application is approved, an approval letter will be issued to the sponsor.
If the application is refused, applicants have the right to appeal the decision before the Immigration Appeals Board (IAB). 

Once family reunification is approved, Identità will send an approval-in-principle letter. If your relatives come from visa-required countries, they must use this letter to apply for a long-term (“National D”) visa at the Maltese embassy or consulate. If Malta has no mission in their country, the Central Visa Unit can help apply through another Schengen embassy. If they come from visa-exempt countries, they can simply travel to Malta (up to 90 days) and show the approval letter when entering. After entering Malta (or immediately if visa-exempt), each family member must email noneu.identita@gov.mt a copy of their approval letter. This alerts Identità to schedule their biometrics appointment, where they will register their fingerprints and finalise the residence permit process. (At that appointment, original passports, certificates, and any missed documents will be checked.) Once everything is in order, the official residence cards are issued.

Yes. Residence permits issued under the Family Members Policy are renewable, provided that all original conditions remain satisfied.

Unlike permits granted under S.L. 217.06, policy-based family permits are issued for one (1) year at a time (according to sponsor’s validity in case sponsor’s permit is less than 1 year).

(An exception applies to government health workers covered by the agreement between Identità and the Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses (MUMN), where permit validity can be extended to a maximum of 3 yrs, again depending on sponsor’s permit validity.)

How to renew

Renewals are submitted online through the Expatriates Portal using Form G.06.
Applicants should apply about 4–6 weeks before their current permit expires and include all updated supporting documents required for each family member.

During the renewal process, Identità will verify that:

• The sponsor still meets the income threshold;
• The accommodation remains suitable and registered; and
• The sponsor’s own residence permit is still valid.

If all conditions remain in order, the permit will be renewed for another year.
If the renewal is refused, the applicant retains the right to appeal before the Immigration Appeals Board (IAB).

Important notes

• Renewal conditions are the same as for the initial application.
• If the median wage in Malta increases, the sponsor’s income must rise accordingly to continue meeting the threshold.
• The family’s renewal is always dependent on the sponsor maintaining valid residence status in Malta.

If Identità refuses your application under the Family Members Policy, you will receive a written notification stating the specific reasons for the decision.

Common reasons for refusal include:

• Income below the required threshold;
• Inadequate or unregistered accommodation;
• Missing or incomplete documentation.

Because this policy is discretionary, Identità has broader authority to refuse applications even when the basic criteria appear to be met.

Right to appeal

Applicants have the right to appeal a refusal before the Immigration Appeals Board (IAB), which is an independent body.

The refusal letter will provide details and the deadline for filing an appeal (usually within three working days from the decision).

No. The Family Members Policy clearly states that residence permits issued under this scheme do not grant the right to work.

If a spouse or adult dependant wishes to work in Malta, they must first apply for their own work authorisation — usually through a Single Permit application.Until that new permit is approved, the family member cannot take up employment of any kind.

Family reunification under this policy is based on the condition that the sponsor provides full financial support for their dependants.

Policy permits are initially valid for 1 year. In some cases, Identità might sync the permit length with the sponsor’s permit (for example, if the sponsor’s work permit has 8 months left, the family’s permit might be 8 months too).

You can renew each year as long as the conditions continue to be met. Renewals concerning minors are approved until the age of 18, unless sufficient proof of physical or financial dependency is provided (for example, in the event of an individual pursing their studies, a school letter may be presented as proof, and the Agency will assess the case to determine the outcome. In this case the renewal will only be made acceptable until the applicant reaches the age of 23). Whereas renewals concerning spouses are renewed yearly yet indefinitely on condition that the marriage has not dissolved. Many families stay on this permit for several years. Each year you’ll need to show updated income, housing, etc., as noted. The family’s right to stay is entirely tied to the sponsor’s status: if the sponsor leaves Malta or loses their permit, the family’s permit cannot continue on its own.

Ultimately, given that the Family Members Policy is at the government’s discretion, future rule changes could affect existing permits at renewal time. For example, if the income threshold is raised in a later policy update, all renewals may have to adjust to the latest published policy. It is wise for sponsors to maintain good buffers (higher income, stable job) to guard against any changes.