New parental leave introduced for self-employed workers

The Ministry for Social Policy has announced the implementation of a Budget 2026 measure extending parental leave rights to self-employed workers.

Under the new measure, self-employed parents will be entitled to parental leave on the same basis as employees. The leave will be paid as a social security benefit by the Department of Social Security, at a rate equivalent to the married rate established for the Sickness Benefit in the year in which the parental leave is taken.

The entitlement applies retroactively from 1 January 2026, and covers self-employed parents, including adoptive and foster parents. Eligible parents are entitled to four months of parental or adoption leave for each child, which must be taken before the child reaches the age of 8.

The first two months, or eight weeks, of parental leave are paid and are non-transferable between eligible parents. Self-employed parents are now also eligible to receive the corresponding benefit during this period.

The remaining two months, or eight weeks, of parental leave are unpaid but may be transferred between parents. This includes transfers between a self-employed parent and an employed parent. No benefit or paid leave is provided for this portion of the entitlement.

Minister Michael Falzon said the government’s word is a contract with the people and that measures announced in the Budget are therefore implemented.

He said the measure would further encourage flexibility and a better work-family balance for self-employed people, contributing to an improved quality of life for families.

Falzon added that social rights would continue to be strengthened through measures included in the Int Malta electoral manifesto.