TEFL jobs in Malta
A complete guide for TEFL teachers on teaching English in Malta
Overview
Yes, and on an Irish passport you need no visa, no residence permit and no employment licence, because Malta is an EU member state. Jobsplus requires those of third-country nationals only, a category that since Brexit includes British passport holders. Malta’s 2026 national minimum wage is €229.44 a week, set by DIER.
What Irish teachers should know first
The paperwork question that dominates every other Malta teaching guide does not apply to you. Jobsplus, the Maltese public employment service, sets out that third-country nationals need an Employment Licence, or a Single Permit issued by Identità combining residence and work rights, before doing any form of work in Malta — and it states explicitly that since Brexit UK nationals are treated as third-country nationals. As an Irish citizen you are on the other side of that line entirely. Jobsplus also requires a Maltese employer to search the Maltese and EU labour market first, and to prove no suitable EU candidate was available, before it will licence a third-country hire. In practice that rule works in your favour at the shortlisting stage.
On pay, DIER puts the 2026 national minimum wage for whole-time employees aged 18 and over at €229.44 a week — on a 52-week year, our own arithmetic on that figure is roughly €994 a month gross. DIER also notes that sectoral Wage Regulation Orders can set a higher floor depending on the employer’s economic activity, so the national figure is a minimum and not a going rate. We do not have an audited average TEFL salary for Malta, and rather than repeat a number from recruiter listings we are leaving that blank until an official or surveyed source exists. Treat the DIER floor as the bottom of the range and negotiate from the hours in your contract.
There is no Maltese state language-assistant scheme open to Irish graduates that we could source. Ireland’s Department of Education and Youth runs an English Language Assistant scheme, but for the 2026/27 intake it places assistants in Austria, Germany, France, Italy, Spain and Belgium/Wallonia-Brussels only, closing 12 March 2026. Malta is not among them. Applications there go directly to the language schools.
Is Malta a good place to teach English?
If you are looking for a TEFL experience in Europe, Malta is an excellent choice. Once a British colony, Malta retains many British traditions and education standards. English is one of the two official languages (alongside Maltese), and most schools—both private and public—use English as the primary medium of instruction.
Who is hiring, and what is the lifestyle like?
This means that while English is widely spoken (around 88% of the population can communicate in English), there is still strong demand for English teachers, especially in language schools, private schools, and summer schools. Native speakers and teachers with strong qualifications are especially valued.
Malta is also a very attractive lifestyle destination, with over 300 days of sunshine each year, a vibrant Mediterranean culture, and a mix of historical charm and modern living. It’s small but densely populated, so life feels lively and connected.
Read next: our guide to TEFL jobs worldwide for how the market fits together, the sibling guides to teaching English in Italy and teaching English in Greece if you want to compare Mediterranean options, and our TEFL courses in Ireland if the certificate is still on your list.
No obligation and no sales pitch. Tell us what you want out of the year and we will tell you honestly whether Malta fits.
Types of teaching jobs
Private Schools
There are several private schools in the cities and bigger towns located around Malta, including Saint Julians, Valletta and Sliema. You will often find that private schools offer better remuneration than state schools; however, they are run as a business, and some people find this a more rigid and less appealing location to teach in.
Language Schools
Language schools tend to operate different hours to mainstream education because they are designed to cater primarily to adults looking to improve their skills. Therefore if you take a word in a language school teaching English in Malta, you will find your hours tend to be evenings and weekends, which works well for some people. It is also possible that you could combine a school role during the day with a language school at night. It really depends on what you want to achieve and how much money you want to save and have spare at the end of your month.
State Schools
Because Maltese state schools teach primarily in English, there is less opportunity available for foreigners to come in and teach English in Malta. However, vacancies may arise from time to time, and it is always worth throwing your hat in the ring if that is the type of establishment that appeals to you. It’s undoubtedly an easy environment to work in because your colleagues and peers will all be pretty fluent in English.
Private Language Lessons
No matter what country you teach in, it is always possible to set yourself up as self-employed. This means you can offer private tutor lessons to anyone in the local area who chooses to work with you. You can teach in your home or visit theirs, but do remember that it is your duty to ensure you understand the self-employment regulations as an English teacher in Malta because the onus will be on you to make any returns and pay any taxes that are due.
Living costs
Malta remains one of the more affordable destinations in Europe, although prices have risen slightly in recent years due to higher housing demand and tourism growth. Your money can still go a reasonable way, especially if you share accommodation or live outside the main tourist hubs. Health insurance is usually not included in teaching contracts, so it’s important to arrange this when you arrive. Public transport is still reliable and inexpensive, making it easy to get around without a car.
In order to provide the most accurate cost of living figures, we use numbeo.com, the world’s largest cost of living database, updated regularly.
Key facts
Language: Maltese
Population: 574,250
Currency: Euro (€)
Capital: Valletta
TEFL job demand: High
Our TEFL rating: 3.5Popular locations for TEFL jobs
Valletta, Sliema, St. Julian’s, and St. Paul’s Bay.
The average salary for EFL teachers
€900–€1,300 per month in language schools. Private schools may pay up to €2,500. Tutoring earns €10–€20 per hour.
TEFL qualification requirements
At least a 120-hour TEFL certificate.
Prerequisite university degree
Required for most private and state school roles; some language schools accept TEFL certification plus experience.
Term times
The school year begins in mid-September and ends mid-June, with summer schools running June–August.
Teaching programmes
Language Schools, Summer Camps, Private, Higher Education Facilities, Private Lessons
Age restrictions
Postgraduate, no upper limit
Previous teaching experience
In order to teach at a private school, you will need to be a qualified teacher in your home country. In order to get a work permit, you will need to have TEFL qualifications, so the experience is vital.
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Find the Right Destination For You
View our InternshipsGot Questions?
Get clear answers about TEFL courses, certification, teaching jobs, and everything in between.
In order to teach English in Malta, you will need at least a 120-hour TEFL certificate, and for many private or state school positions, a formal teaching qualification from your home country. In return, you can expect to earn around €900–€1,300 per month in language schools, with private schools paying up to €2,500 for qualified teachers.
No, it is not expensive to live in Malta; it has a relatively low cost of living compared to other European countries. Therefore, you should be able to make ends meet comfortably.
If you have a TEFL, you can get a teaching permit, and this alone will enable you to teach English in Malta in one of the language schools. However, if you want to work at a private school, you need to have a teaching qualification from your home country, which means you will have a degree.