Skills pass rule for Maltese and EU tourism workers postponed by a year
The pass remains obligatory for third-country nationals
Updated 2.45pm with ACE statement
The introduction of the mandatory Skills Pass for Maltese and EU nationals in the tourism industry has been put off to January 2027, the government announced on Tuesday. Its introduction had been due this coming January 1.
The Skills Pass was introduced in May 2024 as part of a plan to gradually improve the quality of human resources in the tourism industry. Passes have since been issued to over 13,000 workers in the catering and hospitality sectors.
"In full coordination with these stakeholders, and in alignment with the recently announced Malta Labour Migration Policy, the government is rescheduling the next step of this plan, retaining the Skills Pass as obligatory to third country nationals, while deferring it for Maltese and EU nationals by one year, to 1st January 2027," the government said.
It said it would continue to engage with all relevant partners and stakeholders to ensure that the goals of this initiative are met, while maintaining its support to the tourism industry's efforts towards a higher quality tourism offering.
ACE welcomes decision
The Association of Catering Establishments welcomed the decision, saying it had spent weeks in talks with government entities about the impending rule.
"ACE would like to thank all relevant authorities for their understanding on such a delicate matter. The association feels that such a decision will surely alleviate the huge human resource challenge the industry is already facing on a day-to-day basis," it said.