Inclusion, Equality and Social Welfare

The Maternity Benefit may be awarded to a pregnant woman.

For information regarding cross-border situations please click here.

The Maternity Benefit is of a maximum of fouteen (14) weeks entitlement. The first part of the benefit consists of eight (8) weeks entitlement before the due date of the child birth. The second part of the benefit consists of six (6) weeks entitlement after the birth of the child. In those cases where the application is submitted after the birth of the child, the payment is made in only one settlement.

In the case of an applicant expecting multiple births, the entitlement is only for one maternity benefit.

Please click here for a Schedule of Benefits Rates.

General eligibility criteria:

• The applicant must be a citizen of Malta or married/cohabiting with a citizen of Malta, or is a citizen of a European Union Member State, or a citizen of a member country of the European Social Charter, or has a refugee status or a third-country national and ordinarily resides in Malta or Gozo.
• The applicant must be in her eight (8) month of pregnancy or has given birth to a child in the six (6) months prior to the date of the claim.
• The applicant must not have availed herself of paid maternity leave from her employer.
• The applicant can be self-occupied but must provide proof that she was not working during the fourteen (14) weeks of the claim.

General documentation:

• A signed declaration by a medical practitioner confirming that the claimant has entered her eight (8) month of pregnancy, whilst also indicating the expectancy date of birth. Click here to download this declaration.
• If applicant was/is in employment prior to giving birth, the employer needs to fill the declaration. Click here to download this declaration.
• If child is born abroad, an official foreign birth certificate is to be provided.
• A self-occupied applicant has to provide a copy of the official receipts of Social Security Contributions paid for the year prior to the claim.
• For third-country nationals and applicants from social charter countries, must provide a copy of the Maltese Identity card showing a valid Residence Permit.

How to apply

The application must be submitted within six (6) months from the birth of the child as stipulated by the Social Security Act (Cap. 318.). The benefit, or part of it, may be forfeited if the application is submitted late.

Fill in and submit the application online.