Family & Spouse Visas in Malta
Sponsoring a partner, children, or parents
Family reunification is available to third-country nationals who have held a residence permit for a qualifying period and can show stable resources, accommodation and health insurance. The reunited spouse commonly gains access to the labour market, though not always immediately, and family members of European Union citizens are handled under a separate and lighter free movement regime.
| Who qualifies | Spouse and minor children, with narrow provision beyond that source |
| Sponsor requirement | Prior lawful residence, stable income, accommodation and insurance |
| Applicant | Normally the sponsor, filing in Malta source |
| EU citizens' families | Separate free movement procedure, considerably lighter source |
Who may be brought
- A spouse, subject to a minimum age requirement for both partners and to the marriage being genuine and recognised.
- Minor children of the sponsor or the spouse, including adopted children where custody is documented.
- Adult children and dependent parents only in narrow circumstances, and not as a general entitlement.
- Family members of an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen exercising free movement rights, who are dealt with under the separate and more generous free movement rules.
The conditions the sponsor must meet
The sponsor is expected to have resided lawfully in Malta for a qualifying period, to hold a permit with a reasonable prospect of renewal, and to demonstrate income sufficient to support the family without recourse to public funds. Accommodation must meet normal standards for a household of that size, and comprehensive health insurance is required.
Documents issued abroad must generally be legalised or apostilled, and translated where they are not in English or Maltese. Certificates issued long before submission are frequently queried, so fresh copies are usually requested late in the process.
Work rights for the reunited spouse
A spouse admitted through reunification is normally able to take employment, but this commonly requires the employer to complete the usual permit formalities rather than being an automatic entitlement from the day of arrival. The nomad and investment routes each treat dependants under their own published rules, which differ from the ordinary reunification regime.
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Official sources
Checked against these pages in September 2026. Fees and processing times change without notice — confirm before you act.