Parental Leave Benefit for Self-Employed Persons (DSS)

Overview

With effect from 1 January 2026, self-employed parents and even self-employed adoptive or fostering parents, are entitled to four (4) months of Parental Leave/Adoption per child, which must be taken until the child has reached the age of eight (8) years. The first two (2) months or eight (8) weeks of paid parental leave are not transferable between parents and are eligible for payment of benefits. However, the second two (2) months or eight (8) weeks of unpaid parental leave can be transferred between the parents, but no benefit is paid.

This parental leave will be paid in the form of a benefit by the Department of Social Security for a period of two (2) weeks each time at the rate equivalent to the Married rate established for the Sickness Benefit for that year in which the parental leave is taken.

Eligible applicants must apply for the Parental Leave Benefit through an online application submitted to the Department of Social Security. Applications for this benefit will be considered backdated from 1^st January 2026.

What you'll get

Under this scheme, self-employed parents are paid up to a maximum of eight (8) weeks of Parental Leave/Adoption from the date of birth of the newborn or adoption of the child, after applying through a specific online application for this benefit. Payment is made at the benefit rates applicable by the Department of Social Security when the parent returns to work. A claim for a Benefit shall be made for each child as follows:

Fifty percent (50%) or four (4) weeks of paid parental leave entitlement until the child is four (4) years old;
Twenty-five percent (25%) or two (2) weeks of the paid parental leave entitlement until the child is between five (5) and six (6) years of age, and
Twenty-five percent (25%) or two (2) weeks of the paid parental leave entitlement until the child is between seven (7) and eight (8) years of age.

Same age conditions apply for adopted or fostered children.

Please click here for a schedule of Benefits Rates.

Eligibility

The parent submitting the request must have the legal and effective care and custody of the child(ren) on whom the Parental Leave Benefit is claimed.
The parent submitting the request must be a beneficiary of either Children’s Allowance or Fostering Allowance from Malta.

The child in respect of whom the claim is made must be residing Malta with the claiming parent.
The children in respect of whom a claim may be made must be born, adopted or become fostered on or after 1 January 2026.
The parent submitting the request must be a self-employed person for a period of not less than six (6) months immediately preceding the period of Parental Leave taken on the child or children.
The request must be made no later than six (6) months from the date of return to work after taking Parental Leave.
There must be evidence of payment of at least twenty (20) Social Security contributions paid in the last two (2) years immediately prior to the start date of Parental Leave.
Parental Leave must be taken for periods of not less than two (2) consecutive weeks in accordance with the child's age-related leave allocations.

Other scenarios

The Parental Leave Benefit may also be due to part-time self-employed parents if there is no other insurable work activity either as an employee or full-time self-employed at the same time. Same Social Security contributions apply for part-time employment.

Documentation required

Applicants must submit a copy of official receipts corresponding to a payment of at least twenty (20) Second Class contributions paid in the last two (2) calendar years prior to the date of commencement of parental leave for child on whom the claim is made.
Applicants who are third-country nationals (TCN) and/or European Social Charter and/or with Refugee status, who are ordinary residents in Malta must submit a copy of the valid Residence Permit.

If the birth of the child is not officially registered with the Malta Public Registry, or if the birth takes place abroad, a copy of an official birth certificate issued by the competent foreign authority must be provided together with a verified translation of the English document of the same certificate.

In case an applicant is a third-country national (TCN) who is married to a European Union citizen, an official copy of the marriage certificate is required.
In case an applicant is a third-country national (TCN) cohabiting with a Maltese or European Union citizen, the applicant must provide a copy of a recognised Maltese cohabitation certificate, otherwise they would not be eligible for Parental Leave benefit. In case of cohabitation between Maltese or European Union citizen couples who are resident in Malta, the cohabitation certificate is not necessary.