Registration under the Social Security Act

Overview

Historically, your social security number is a number registered under the Social Security Act (Cap. 318.) through which you pay social security contributions. The social security contributions paid will entitle you for the social security benefits provided under the Social Security Act (Cap. 318.), subject to the entitlement conditions which exist for each type of benefit. You can find more information on the categories and amount of social security contributions employees and self-employed/self-occupied persons need to pay here.

As of October 2016, the social security number was removed for permanent Maltese Identity card holders (with letters M, L, G, H) and will only be used for people that are not in possession of a permanent Maltese Identity Card. Nevertheless, those minors who are still students under sixteen (16) years of age and are in possession of a Maltese Identity card (14+) but would like to work on temporary basis, are obliged to register for a social security number if the final compulsory scholastic year has not been completed.

The Social Security Act (Cap. 318.), provides that every person who is in a Maltese insurable employment between the age of sixteen (16) and sixty-five (65) is to be insured, and this is automatically achieved when the person pays the social security contributions in Malta. Such a mandatory requirement renders every insured person eligible to claiming and receiving contributory social security benefits, including a retirement pension, subject to satisfying the minimum conditions of the benefit.

What you’ll get

Persons in possession of a permanent Maltese Identity card will be automatically registered under the Social Security Act (Cap. 318.) once they have reached 16 years of age. Persons not in possession of a permanent Maltese Identity card between the age of 16 and pension age need to apply for a social security registration number. This number is only issued once and is valid throughout the lifetime of the applicant.

Those in possession of a permanent Maltese Identity card will receive their registration certificate automatically a few days prior to their 16^th birthday.

For those not holding a permanent Maltese Identity Card and making use of the online application, the registration certificate and social security number will be sent via the e-mail address provided in the application once the insurability criteria are met. Such information will not be shared with other third parties unless covered by legislation or a data sharing agreement.

An application typically takes two (2) weeks to be processed if all accompanying documentation meet the requirements.

For more information on Social Security Contributions obligations, please click here.

Eligibility

General eligibility criteria:

Persons not in possession of a permanent Maltese Identity card need to provide supporting documentation in order to apply for a social security number. Once the application is submitted, they will be subjected to an insurability test.
Those students who have not completed compulsory schooling (up to Form 5) and have not yet reached 16 years of age but would like to work, are required to submit an application to the Department of Industrial and Employment Relations (DIER). The application needs to be signed by the student’s parent/s or legal guardian/s and the prospective employer. Once the application is approved by the DIER, the National School Support Services (NSSS) then issue the School Exemption which in turn is sent to the parents or legal guardians of the student. Click here to download the School Exemption application and related procedures.

Note: Applying for a registration number for social security purposes does not necessarily mean that you will be registered automatically. Your insurability position will need to be determined by the Department of Social Security.

Documentation required

General documentation:

All Maltese Nationals (except for Minors).
- Maltese Identity Card or Passport.
All Maltese Nationals (Minors under sixteen (16) years of age).
- Maltese Identity Card or Passport.
- A School Leaving Certificate and Profile or else a note signed by the Head of School confirming that student completed compulsary schooling.
- A School Exemption from the National School Support Services if the minor has not yet finished the final year of compulsary schooling and has also not yet reached sixteen (16) years of age. It is important the the School Exemption Letter is at hand prior to applying for the Social Security number.
All EU Nationals Employed or Self-Occupied.
- An official identification (with photo) issued from their country of origin and/or Passport.
- Copy of the JobsPlus engagement form or ‘Promise of Employment’ letter or a copy of the work contract or a similar document which shows that applicant will be carrying out an employed/self-occupied activity in Malta.
Citizens from Non-EU Countries (Employed).
- Maltese Identity Card (if available) and Passport.
- Copy of the JobsPlus engagement form or ‘Promise of Employment’ letter or a copy of th work contract or a similar document which shows that applicant will be carrying out an employed/self-occupied activity in Malta.
- Copy of Employment-License.
Citizens from Non-EU countries, married to Maltese or EU Nationals (Employed/Self-Occupied).
- Maltese Identity Card (if available) and Passport.
- Copy of letter from the Department of Citizenship and Expatriates, showing proof that person can work or reside freely in Malta (Freedom of Movement).
- Copy of the JobsPlus engagement form or ‘Promise of Employment’ letter or a copy of the work contract (in case of employed).
Citizens from Non-EU Countries (Self-occupied).
- Maltese Identity card (if available) and Passport.
- Copy of Employment-License and JobsPlus engagement form.
Citizens from Non-EU Countries who hold a permit to work in Malta under one of the EU Directives.
- Maltese Identity card (if available) and Passport.
- Copy of the JobsPlus engagement form or ‘Promise of Employment’ letter (in case of employed).
- Copy of relevant permit to work in Malta under one of the EU Directives, which would be visible on the identification document of the applicant (or its equivalent certificate) which is issued by the Maltese government agency Identità.