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ARTICLE · 18 JUNE 2026

Families Coming Together In Malta: Understanding The Two Available Pathways

GVZH Advocates
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Third-country nationals seeking to bring family members to Malta face two distinct immigration pathways, each with different eligibility criteria, employment rights, and legal frameworks. Understanding the differences between the formal legal route under Subsidiary Legislation 217.06 and the more flexible Family Members Policy can significantly impact the success and timeline of family reunification applications.

MaltaImmigration
Sharon Sammut
Sharon Sammut
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For many third-country nationals living in Malta, bringing family members to join them is an important step towards long-term settlement. Understanding Malta’s family reunification routes can help families navigate the process more effectively, particularly as different pathways carry different eligibility requirements, employment rights, and legal considerations.

Family Reunification under Subsidiary Legislation 217.06 (Malta Legal Route)

The first route is Family Reunification under Subsidiary Legislation 217.06, which is the formal legal framework governing family reunification in Malta. This route provides stronger legal certainty but applies stricter eligibility criteria for third-country nationals holding a Maltese residence permit issued by Identità Malta.

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The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

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