Inclusion, Equality and Social Welfare

There are four types of Maternity and Adoption Benefits available under Malta’s social security framework. These benefits provide financial support to pregnant women and adopting parents during periods of maternity or adoption leave. The benefits include: 

• Maternity Benefit – A maximum entitlement of fourteen (14) weeks for expectant mothers who do not receive paid maternity leave from their employer. Applicants may be self occupied but must provide proof that they were not engaged in employment during the full fourteen (14) weeks.

• Maternity Leave Benefit – A leave benefit of up to four (4) weeks for employed women who have availed themselves of the full fourteen (14) weeks of maternity leave paid by their employer. Self occupied mothers who make use of the full eighteen (18) weeks of maternity leave may qualify for both the Maternity Benefit and the Maternity Leave Benefit.

• Adoption Benefit – A maximum entitlement of fourteen (14) weeks for adopting parents who do not receive paid adoption leave from their employer. Self occupied adopting parents must provide proof that they were not working during the fourteen (14) weeks of the claim.

• Adoption Leave Benefit – A leave benefit of up to four (4) weeks for adopting parents who have availed themselves of the fourteen (14) weeks of adoption leave paid by their employer. Self occupied adopting parents who take the full eighteen (18) weeks of adoption leave may be entitled to both the Adoption Benefit and Adoption Leave Benefit.
   

Additional provisions:

• For multiple births, only one maternity benefit or leave benefit is granted.

• For multiple adoptions within the same year, only one adoption benefit or leave benefit is payable.

• In the event of miscarriage or stillbirth occurring after the twenty second (22nd) week of pregnancy, the prospective mother remains entitled to maternity benefit or leave benefit.

• Cross border information is available here.

• Maternity and Adoption Benefit
  A maximum of fourteen (14) weeks is granted.

• Eight (8) weeks may be taken before the expected date of birth and.

• Six (6) weeks may be taken after the birth.
  If the application is submitted after the birth, the benefit is issued as a single payment.
  For adoption, the fourteen (14) weeks are always paid as a single payment.

• Maternity and Adoption Leave Benefit
  A maximum of four (4) weeks is paid in one payment.

Please click here for a schedule of Benefits Rates.

Eligibility is based on employment status, nationality, residence, and documentation requirements. Means testing does not apply.
 

General conditions:

• Applicants must be Maltese citizens, married/cohabiting with a Maltese citizen, EU citizens, citizens of countries under the European Social Charter, or persons with refugee status who ordinarily reside in Malta or Gozo.

• Social Charter beneficiaries and refugees must submit a valid Residence Permit.

• Third country nationals (TCNs) must present a Maltese Residence Card showing a valid Residence Permit.

• TCNs married to EU citizens must present an official marriage certificate.

• TCNs who are cohabiting with Maltese or EU citizens must present a registered Cohabitation Certificate. This requirement does not apply to Maltese/EU nationals working in Malta.

• Self occupied applicants must submit receipts of social security contributions for the year preceding the claim, and a declaration confirming the full eighteen (18) weeks of unpaid maternity or adoption leave.

• Teachers paid for summer holidays are eligible for Maternity Leave Benefit and Adoption Leave Benefit and must submit a letter from their HR office confirming leave periods taken during summer.

• If the child is born abroad, an official foreign birth certificate is required.

Maternity Benefit

• Applicant must be in her eighth (8th) month of pregnancy or have given birth within six (6) months before the date of claim.

• A signed medical declaration confirming entry into the eighth (8th) month of pregnancy and indicating the expected date of birth is required.

• If the applicant was employed prior to birth, the employer must complete the required declaration. Click here to download this declaration to be filled in by the medical practitioner and the employer if applicable.

Maternity Leave Benefit

• Applicant must have availed herself of the full fourteen (14) weeks of paid maternity leave from her employer. The Department pays the remaining weeks, up to four (4).

• Self occupied applicants who take the full eighteen (18) weeks may receive both benefits.

• Applicants with multiple jobs (full time, part time, casual) must provide declarations from all employers showing leave taken, unpaid leave periods, and return to work dates. Click here to download this declaration for each employer that the applicant is/was employed during the maternity leave benefit taken.

   

Adoption Benefit and Adoption Leave Benefit

• Employed applicants must not have availed themselves of paid adoption leave from their employer.

• An official adoption certificate and the child’s birth certificate must be provided.

• A declaration of fourteen (14) weeks of unpaid adoption leave must be submitted if employed.

• Applicants with multiple employments must submit declarations from all employers.

• Teachers must provide an HR letter confirming adoption leave taken during summer months.

• For foster parents who adopt their fostered child, the Foster Care Allowance is gradually reduced over four (4) years, starting with 80%, 60%, 40% and 20% for the final fourth year, or until the child turns twenty-one (21) years of age, whichever comes first.

• Click here to download the declaration for each employer that the applicant is/was employed during the adoption leave and/or adoption leave benefit.

• Maternity Benefit: Within six (6) months from the child’s birth.

• Maternity Leave Benefit: After the eighteenth (18th) week of maternity leave but before six (6) months from that date of the birth of the child.

• Adoption Benefit: After all adoption documents are issued or within six (6) months from the official adoption date.

• Adoption Leave Benefit: After the eighteenth (18th) week of adoption leave but before six (6) months from the official date of adoption.

Late applications may result in partial or full forfeiture of entitlement.
 

Fill in and submit the application online.