Malta

Full-time employees working a standard 40-hour week are entitled to a minimum of four working weeks and four days of paid annual leave, equating to 192 hours. This is in line with the Organisation of Working Time Regulations (S.L. 452.87).

Carry-Over of Vacation Leave

While vacation leave is ideally used within the year it is earned, up to 50% of the annual leave entitlement can be carried over to the following year, provided there is an agreement with the employer. Any leave carried over should be used first in the subsequent year and cannot be carried forward again.

Compensation for Unused Leave

A minimum of four weeks (160 hours) of leave must be taken and cannot be replaced by financial compensation, except in the event of employment termination. This is a requirement of the Organisation of Working Time Regulations.

Part-Time Employees

The vacation leave entitlement for part-time employees is calculated proportionally to their working hours.

Malta celebrates a total of 14 annual public holidays. These are divided into two main categories: National Holidays and Religious Holidays.

National Holidays

• Freedom Day (Jum il-Ħelsien): This holiday on March 31st celebrates the withdrawal of British troops and Malta becoming a republic.
• Sette Giugno: Commemorated on June 7th, this day marks the 1919 riots when Maltese citizens revolted against British rule.
• Victory Day (Jum il-Vitorja): Celebrated on September 8th, this day marks several victories in Malta's history, including the Great Siege of Malta in 1565.
• Independence Day (Jum l-Indipendenza): This holiday on September 21st celebrates Malta's independence from Britain in 1964.
• Republic Day (Jum ir-Repubblika): Celebrated on December 13th, this day commemorates when Malta became a republic in 1974.

Religious Holidays

• New Year's Day (L-Ewwel tas-Sena): Celebrated on January 1st.
• Feast of Saint Paul's Shipwreck (Nawfraġju ta' San Pawl): This feast is celebrated on February 10th.
• Feast of Saint Joseph (San Ġużepp): Celebrated on March 19th.
• Good Friday (Il-Ġimgħa l-Kbira): The date for this holiday varies each year, falling in either March or April.
• Feast of Saints Peter and Paul (L-Imnarja): This feast is celebrated on June 29th.
• Feast of the Assumption (Santa Marija): Celebrated on August 15th.
• Feast of Our Lady of Victories (Il-Bambina): This feast is also celebrated on September 8th.
• Feast of the Immaculate Conception (Il-Kunċizzjoni): Celebrated on December 8th.
• Christmas Day (Il-Milied): Celebrated on December 25th.

Full-time employees working a 40-hour week are entitled to at least four working weeks and four days of paid annual leave. This leave accrues gradually throughout the year. There is limited carry-over to the following year allowed, but carried-over leave must be used before any new entitlement. Untaken leave can be compensated financially upon termination of employment.

Sick Leave

Employees become eligible for paid sick leave after completing a probationary period. The amount of paid sick leave is determined by the employment contract or relevant collective agreements. Generally, a medical certificate is required for any absence exceeding two consecutive days.

Injury Leave

Employees injured on the job are entitled to one year of paid injury leave, followed by one year at half-pay if they can no longer perform their original duties.

Maternity Leave

Expectant mothers are entitled to 18 weeks of paid maternity leave, of which 16 weeks are mandatory for the mother. The remaining two weeks may be taken before the projected birth date. Employers pay contributions to a Maternity Leave Trust Fund that covers the expenses of maternity leave payments.

Paternity Leave

Fathers are entitled to 10 working days of paid paternity leave following the birth of the child. In addition, they are entitled to 1 day of unpaid leave at the time of their child's birth.

Bereavement Leave

Employees are entitled to up to 3 days of paid leave upon the death of a spouse, child, parent, or sibling. One day of unpaid leave for the death of other family members may be granted.

Urgent Family Leave

Employees are entitled to 15 hours of paid leave per year to take care of urgent family matters, sickness, or accidents concerning immediate family members. This is deducted from the annual vacation leave.

Other Types of Leave

Other types of leave include marriage leave, carers' leave, study leave, and foster care leave. The specific entitlements and conditions for each type of leave may vary based on employment contracts and collective agreements.