Hours, not assumptions
DIER frames annual leave in hours, which is why a one-size-fits-all day count can be misleading.
Employment guide · Malta Life Guides
Malta Annual Leave 2026: How Entitlement and Public Holidays Work
Annual leave in Malta is measured in hours and may be affected by hours worked, start date, working pattern and public holidays. The safest approach is to use your payslip and contract, then confirm the current rule with DIER instead of relying on a generic online calculation.
Last checked: 15 August 2026. Rules, services, prices and timetables can change; confirm the relevant official source before acting.
Check your leave balance properly
- Confirm your normal weekly hours and employment start date.
- Review the annual-leave balance shown on your payslip.
- Check whether any public holiday falls on your scheduled rest day.
- Ask payroll for a written explanation before booking non-refundable travel.
What to know before you act
Public holidays can matter
DIER explains how an eligible whole-time employee's balance can be affected when a public holiday falls on a day of rest.
Pro-rata matters
Starting or leaving a job during the year can change the calculation.
Official sources to check
These links are the source of truth for current procedures, eligibility, amounts, deadlines and service changes.
- DIER: Vacation Leave
Primary annual-leave explanation. - DIER: National and Public Holidays
Use with the leave rules.
Freshness policy: Recheck at the start of every calendar year and when DIER amends leave regulations.
Frequently asked questions
How is annual leave calculated in Malta?
Use DIER's current annual-leave guidance, your contracted hours and your employment dates. Payroll can apply the rule to your actual record.
What happens when a public holiday falls at the weekend?
Check DIER's annual-leave and public-holiday guidance together, because the answer depends on the employee's normal working pattern.
Can a MaltaNews page replace payroll advice?
No. This guide is a starting point and links to the official source.