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Have You Been Paid For Getting Married?
If you and your spouse fulfil certain requirements, you could be entitled to more than €500 from the government for getting wed, thanks to the Malta Marriage Grant.
A Maltese resident or an EU national with permanent Maltese residence who gets married is eligible to a marriage grant of a maximum of €271.04, with the maximum grant payable per couple being €542.08.
Who is eligible?
Maltese nationals who have contributed at least 26 SSCs prior to date of marriage and EU Nationals with permanent Maltese residence are both eligible to benefit from the marriage grant.
How does it work?
Application for the Marriage Grant should reach Department of Social Security within six months from the date of marriage. The applications can be obtained either from the Department of Social Security, from your local District Social Security Office or online through this link. Once completed, the form must be returned to the same office within six months from date of marriage.
What documents do I need?
As long as the marriage was registered in Malta, you don’t need to present your marriage certificate. However, when a marriage cannot be verified against official records, the marriage certificate will be required.
What happens next?
Once a claim is received, it is registered. An assessment of the contributions paid will be made, and the other eligibility criteria are verified. The claimant is then informed whether his/her claim was accepted or rejected. In the case of the former, payment will be effected.
Why doesn’t the government pay us automatically?
In October 2014, the Department had announced that couples need not apply for the marriage grant and that couples would be automatically contacted to process their grant. However, as at time of writing, the Ministry’s official website still states that couples have to apply through the respective form. It’s probably best to contact the Ministry before paying to get the latest information.
Department of Social Security, Short Term Benefits Section, 38, Ordnance Street, Valletta. T: 2590 3000
Image Credit
Ben Camille