Malta’s budget is set to put pressure on the iGaming sector, as the costs for employing non-European workers in the country are set to increase.
Announced by Finance Minister Clyde Caruana, the new measures will increase the initial cost of permit application fees for third-country nationals (TNCs), those living in Malta who are from outside the European Union, rising from €600 to €800.
A €400 annual infrastructure contribution and an €83 monthly fee will be required from TNCs if driving using a non-EU category B or B1 driving licence. Access to free public transport or childcare will also no longer be available to those who have lived in Malta for less than five years.
Business groups and trade unions have raised concerns that the changes will drive up recruitment costs and reduce disposable income for workers, despite claims from the government that the changes will raise revenue and reduce the reliance on foreign labour.
Ultimately, these changes could play a huge role in Malta’s status as one of Europe’s largest iGaming hubs, as it risks complicating employment prospects and increasing recruitment costs for an industry that adds a gross value of €1.4bn to the Maltese economy each year, accounting for 6.3% of the island’s overall economic output.
The Malta Gaming Authority’s 2025 annual report stated that there are 15,039 employees working across 302 companies that hold a licence from the regulator.