Malta - Previous coverage abroad can count
This chapter provides information about what a person should know when moving from one country to another in Europe and the impact that this move may have on the social benefits that the person is entitled to receive.
* EU rules on social security coordination no longer apply to and in the United Kingdom as of 1 January 2021. However, the rights of persons covered by the Withdrawal Agreement concluded between the EU and the United Kingdom continue to be protected.
For persons not covered by the Withdrawal Agreement, social security coordination between the EU and the United Kingdom is regulated by the relevant Protocol to the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. While similar to EU rules and comprehensive in scope, the Protocol does not provide for an identical level of protection as the EU Regulations.
Social Security and EU Regulations
If a person finds employment in an EU Member State or any other country covered by the EU Regulations, the person becomes subject to the Social Security system of the country concerned.
However, if a person has lived, worked and/or paid social security contributions in an EU State or in any other country covered by the EU Regulations, the periods of insurance completed in that country can be taken into account when determining eligibility for benefits in another country.
Which benefits are affected?
The affected benefits are:
- Sickness Benefit
- Maternity Benefit
- Disability Pension
- Contributory Pension for Retirement
- Survivors’ Pension
- Unemployment Benefit
- Benefit for injury at the workplace
- Child allowance
In some cases, it may be necessary to have paid a number of contributions, but in this specific case, the contributions considered are those paid in an EU country or a country covered by EU Regulations.
Certain benefits derived from countries in the European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland or the UK may be transferred to Malta.
If you are living in Malta, you are also entitled to Family Benefits.
How to apply
If a person was working in an EU country or a country covered by the EU Regulations and will return to Malta, the following document must be presented by the person:
- A statement of the Social Security contributions paid by means of a U1 form, which can be obtained from the Social Security institution of the country concerned.
If a person has received Unemployment Benefit from any EU country for four weeks, this benefit can be transferred to Malta for a period of between three and six months so that this person can find employment. In this case, the U2 form must be duly completed by the institution paying the benefits.
If a person is applying for social benefits in Malta, there is a section on the form that asks if a person has ever worked in an EU country.
The applicant must indicate:
- the country where s/he was employed;
- the name and address of the employer;
- the dates of employment there and
- the Social Security number of the country in which s/he was living.
Whenever someone needs to meet certain conditions before claiming benefits, the Authorities must consider the period over which contributions have been paid while working in an EU country or in a country covered by EU Regulations. Therefore, all EU citizens are covered when changing employment and travelling to one of these countries.
Forms required for completion
- S041
- U1
Know your rights
Maltese Resources:
Publications and the European Commission website:
Who do you need to contact?
Department of Social Security
38, Ordnance Street
Valletta, VLT 1021
Malta
List of Social Security Hubs here.