A 6-month English course in Malta costs from €3,720 (24 weeks) or €4,000 (26 weeks) of General English, according to IH Malta's 2026 long-term offer. Unlike a 3-month course, non-EU students need a national D visa even if their country is visa-exempt, and in return can work up to 20 hours a week from the fourth month. Below: price, visa requirements and the real work timeline.
1. Course price (official 2026 lists)
| Course | 24 weeks | 26 weeks |
|---|---|---|
| IH Malta, General English (20 lessons, 15 h/week) | €3,720 | €4,000 |
| IH Malta, Intensive (30 lessons, 22.5 h/week) | €4,920 | €5,260 |
| Maltalingua, General English ("24+" row of its price table) | €4,968 | — |
| Maltalingua, Intensive ("24+" row) | €6,768 | — |
IH Malta's offer includes registration, has no summer supplement and gives you 2 weeks of holiday for every 12 booked. IH Malta also sells a visa package: 24 weeks of General English + 2 weeks in residence from €4,020 (triple room). Torn between 15 and 22.5 hours a week? Compare General English with Intensive.
2. The D visa: what you need
Required for every non-EU student on a course longer than 90 days, including visa-exempt nationals. According to Identità's official checklist (version of 13 August 2025):
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| When to apply | At least 9 weeks before the course starts, by VFS appointment |
| Fee | €100 (standard appointment) or €150 (extended) |
| Passport | Valid for 10 months |
| School letter | Course, duration, contact hours per week and proof of payment |
| Funds | 75% of the minimum wage per month of study: €745.50/month, about €4,473 for 6 months |
| Health insurance | Valid in Schengen, at least €30,000 cover, for the whole stay |
| Accommodation | Proof for the first 14 nights, in your name |
| Arrival | No more than 2 weeks before the course starts |
The visa can be extended up to a maximum of 365 days from first entry: apply between 30 and 21 days before it expires, with proof of attendance and satisfactory performance. Step by step in our student visa guide; for insurance, see which health insurance you need.
3. Working: the real timeline
| Months | What you can do |
|---|---|
| 1–3 | Study only |
| 4–6 | Work up to 20 hours a week, once your employer has a Jobsplus licence |
The employer applies to Jobsplus for the employment licence, which costs €250. Since 1 October 2025, employers must also advertise the job for 3 weeks on Jobsplus and EURES before hiring a non-EU national. In practice, a 6-month course gives you at most about 3 months of work, and not from day one of month four if the licence takes time. Malta's full-time minimum wage is €994 a month (Eurostat, 2026). Full details in studying and working in Malta.
EU citizens need none of this: no visa, no licence.
4. 3 months or 6?
| 12 weeks | 24–26 weeks | |
|---|---|---|
| Visa (visa-exempt nationals) | No | D visa |
| Work (non-EU) | No | Yes, 20 h/week from month 4 |
| Funds to show | — | ≈ €4,473 |
If you just want to improve your English, the 3-month course is simpler. If you want to work, you need at least 6. For accommodation over that many weeks, see course with accommodation and room prices by area.
Want help finding a 6-month course that meets the visa requirements? Ask for free advice and we'll tell you which schools issue the D visa letter and what your budget would look like.
Information checked on 2026-10-13. Sources: Identità – Central Visa Unit (Student National Visa checklist v2.1 of 13-08-2025, courses over 90 days, extension of stay, student employment and application centres); Jobsplus (employment licence checklist and labour market testing guidelines, August 2025); Eurostat (2026 minimum wage); IH Malta 2026 long-term offer, visa package and prices; Maltalingua 2026 prices. Rules can change: confirm with the school and Identità before paying.