VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Maltese Finance Minister Clyde Caruana has defended new budget measures targeting third-country nationals (TCNs), reiterating the need to curb population growth and prevent the total number of inhabitants from reaching 800,000.
Starting January 1st, non-EU citizens will be required to pay for childcare services that were previously free.
Fees for the renewal of work permits will also increase. Additionally, monthly contributions of 83 euros for car usage and 33 euros for public transport are being introduced.
These measures have sparked protests from businesses, activists, industry stakeholders, and the Church, all of whom are concerned about the potential for discrimination against foreign workers. The budget also raises the environmental tax on tourist stays.
From January 1st, this levy will increase to 8 euros per day for hotels—capped at 64 euros—and to 10 euros for short-term rentals, up to a maximum of 80 euros. This increase will also apply to Maltese citizens vacationing within the country.
While acknowledging that Malta’s economy relies on its current population size, Caruana ruled out further growth at the pace seen in recent years.
He argued that future development must focus on technology, artificial intelligence, and automation, rather than on expanding the workforce.
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