School types and ages, enrolling a child, language support, fees, the Free Childcare Scheme and after-school services. Status labels are explained on the Starting in Malta home page.
12.1 What are the school types in Malta, and from what age is school compulsory?
Education is provided by the state, the church and the independent sector. School is compulsory from age 5 to 16, and kindergarten for ages 3 to 4 is not compulsory.
- State schools are open to all students, with free books and materials and free transport, and parents buy the uniform.
- Church schools are mostly Catholic, charge no tuition but ask for an annual donation and for supplies and uniforms.
- Independent and international schools charge fees.
State schools are grouped into eleven colleges. The school year runs from September to June. Church and independent schools are regulated by the Ministry for Education.
Official source: gov.mt: Education; International Learners Directorate: Education (Ministry for Education / ILD)
Status: ✅ Verified · checked 2026-10-21 · For: Families
12.2 How do I enrol my child in a school, and what do I need to bring?
EU citizens register directly at the primary school in their town of residence. For secondary, contact the College Principal's office, which directs you to the Middle or Senior School. Kindergarten entry is possible in October and February.
Non-EU families complete entry formalities through the Registration section, starting with a pre-registration form requested by email, and the parent must be present to verify documents.
Documents listed:
- birth certificate with English translation
- Identità certification
- residential property agreement
- marriage certificate
- care and custody document
- vaccination record with English translation
- education records, medical history and health information if the school asks
The Ministry for Education one-stop shop in Floriana (Great Siege Road) handles registration of non-EU students and school transport. Opening hours:
- Monday to Friday 9:30 to 14:00
- Wednesday until 18:00
- Saturday 8:00 to 12:00
Primary placement depends mainly on your town of residence.
Official source: International Learners Directorate: FAQs; Ministry for Education one-stop shop (ILD / Ministry for Education)
Status: ✅ Verified · checked 2026-10-21 · For: Families
12.3 My child does not speak English or Maltese. What support is there?
Children who cannot communicate in English or Maltese may join a one-year induction programme that teaches both languages, with other subjects taught through Content and Language Integrated Learning. It runs in various schools in Malta and Gozo, and secondary-aged learners attend the Naxxar Induction Hub.
Learners are assessed regularly, and at the end of the induction period educational staff decide whether the child moves to mainstream education.
The ILD FAQ also lists free English and Maltese lessons for adults and young people through:
- Integra Foundation
- Youth.inc
- St Andrew's Scots Church (Valletta)
- Jobsplus
Official source: International Learners Directorate: Education (ILD)
Status: ✅ Verified · checked 2026-10-21 · For: Families
12.4 Do I pay for my child's school, and who is entitled to free state education?
EU, EEA and Swiss citizens are entitled to free state education up to age 16, and so are non-EU citizens holding a Single Permit issued in Malta. Others may apply for a fee exemption, decided by residential status, using a form from the Ministry for Education.
- In state schools textbooks are lent free and parents provide uniform, bag and stationery, with a small charge usually levied for outings.
- Church schools charge no tuition but ask for a donation.
- Independent and international schools charge fees, plus supplies, uniforms and transport.
Official source: International Learners Directorate: FAQs; gov.mt: Education (ILD / Ministry for Education)
Status: ✅ Verified · checked 2026-10-21 · For: Families
12.5 What is the Free Childcare Scheme, who qualifies and how do I apply?
Government-funded childcare for children whose parents are in employment or education, either directly through Government services or through registered child care centres, until the child becomes eligible for kindergarten.
Apply with the form (from the website or the centre) to your preferred centre, which assesses whether it can meet the child's needs and then submits it through the Free Childcare Information System. The Unit decides eligibility.
Documents:
- payslips and an employer declaration of hours for employees
- the latest tax return for the self-employed
- course attendance and MFHEA recognition statements for students
The brochure says:
- entitlement depends on the hours the mother or single parent works or studies
- parents on parental or career break leave are not eligible
- foreigners working in Malta must be registered with Jobsplus and provide a residence card
- applications should be made at least one month before the service starts
Centres may charge a reasonable one-off registration fee and fees for food, and you pay the centre's rate for hours beyond your entitlement.
Official source: Servizz.gov.mt: Free Childcare Scheme; Free Childcare Scheme brochure (Free Childcare Scheme Unit)
Status: ✅ Verified · checked 2026-10-21 · For: Parents of young children
12.6 What childcare is there if I don't qualify for the free scheme, or want a private centre or nanny?
No confirmed answer yet.
Source: none identified yet.
Status: ⚪ No official source found · For: Parents of young children
12.7 What after-school, breakfast and holiday care exists for school-age children?
Klabb 3-16 is open on school days to children aged 3 to 16 in state, church or independent schools, from school dismissal until 18:00. In school holidays (Skolasajf) it is for children of working parents or of parents studying at a registered institution, 07:00 to 17:30 depending on demand.
Apply online through the FES Events portal, first come first served with a waiting list. The school-year window opens in August for 15 days and reopens in mid-October, and holiday applications open a few weeks before each break.
Documents include:
- the child's birth certificate
- a pick-up authorisation form
- a payslip or job history sheet
The Free Breakfast Club in primary state schools is free for children of parents who are employed or full-time students, and is applied for online.
Official source: Servizz.gov.mt: Klabb 3-16 After School Service; Free Breakfast Club Service in Primary State Schools (Foundation for Educational Services (FES) / Ministry for Education)
Status: ✅ Verified · checked 2026-10-21 · For: Parents of school-age children
12.8 How do I register with a church or independent school, and how do I pick a school?
The gov.mt page links to a list of independent, church and state schools at education.gov.mt/colleges. Church schools charge no tuition but ask for a donation, and independent and international schools charge fees.
It says the curriculum mostly follows the British model and Catholic religion is taught but is not compulsory for non-nationals. The pages read do not describe how to apply to a church or independent school or how places are allocated.
Official source: gov.mt: Education (links to the list of schools) (Ministry for Education)
Status: 🟡 Needs checking · For: Families
12.9 Where do I go for learning support or special educational needs?
The gov.mt page links to special needs resource centres at student-wellbeing-services.gov.mt. The Klabb 3-16 page lists Statementing Board and IEP reports as documents for children with additional needs.
Official source: gov.mt: Education (links to Student Wellbeing Services) (Ministry for Education)
Status: 🟡 Needs checking · For: Families