Maternity Benefit (DSS)

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

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.

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, 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.

Documentation required
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.

• 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.

• If child is born abroad, an official foreign birth certificate is to be provided.

• European Social Charter and Refugees, who are ordinary residents in Malta, have to provide a copy of a valid Residence Permit.

• For third-country nationals and applicants from social charter countries, must provide a copy of the Maltese Identity card showing a valid Residence Permit.

• In case of applicant who is a third-country national married to a European Union citizen, the applicant must provide an official marriage certificate.

• In case of a Third-Country National (TCN), who is cohabitating with a Maltese or a European Union citizen, the applicant must provide a registered Cohabitation certificate. Otherwise, Third-Country Nationals are not eligible to the Maternity Benefit. In case of Maltese or European Union Nationals working in Malta, the Cohabitation certificate is not required.