Rosianne Cutajar uncomfortable with budget measures affecting TCNs

Equality Minister Rosianne Cutajar has expressed reservations about Budget 2027 measures affecting third-country nationals (TCNs), saying she was concerned the changes could fuel anti-foreigner sentiment.

“We have to keep supporting Maltese families and not burden them further,” she said.

In comments given to Times of Malta on Wednesday, Cutajar said she was “not personally comfortable” with the measures, although she understood the economic reasoning behind Finance Minister Clyde Caruana’s decision.

She added that she had conveyed her concerns to Caruana, while acknowledging that Malta was not isolated from wider global economic pressures and that the decision had been taken in the “interest of the country”.

“The comments on social media hurt me and, in no way, do I want this to lead to a bigger division between people,” she said, referring to remarks made online over the past day.

While expressing sympathy for those affected from a “human point of view”, Cutajar suggested the changes could encourage more workers to pursue long-term residency in Malta, helping them integrate into society rather than leave after a relatively short period.

The measures, announced in Budget 2027, will increase several costs for non-EU workers who do not hold long-term resident status.

From next year, the initial work permit application fee will rise from €600 to €800, while the annual renewal fee will increase from €150 to €400.

TCNs will also have to pay for childcare when registering for the service for the first time. In addition, they will face a monthly charge of €83 to use a car in Malta or €33 to use buses and the ferry service.

The measures have raised concerns over the financial burden on third-country nationals, as well as the impact on their ability to live and work in Malta.