European Union
Commission sets launch date for the Entry/Exit System
The European Commission has announced its decision to establish set 12 October 2025 as the launch date for the start of operations of the Entry/Exit System (EES).
From 12 October onwards, the EES will be progressively rolled out at the external borders of 29 European countries, over a period of six months. This progressive roll-out will give border authorities, travellers and the transport industry more time to adjust to new procedures.
The EES is an advanced IT system that will digitally record the entries and exits of non-EU nationals travelling to 29 European countries, for short stays. It will register biometric data, such as fingerprints, facial images, and other travel information.
From 12 October onwards, European countries using the EES will start introducing the EES gradually over a period of six months. Border authorities will progressively register the data of third country nationals crossing the external Schengen borders. At the end of the progressive period, the EES will be fully deployed at all border crossing points.
In the coming months, the Commission, along with European Union Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice (eu-LISA), will keep working closely with European countries using the EES to ensure a smooth deployment of the system. As the launch date approaches, travellers can expect to see information campaigns and awareness-raising activities at border crossing points, including airports across the European countries using the EESU, as well as at consulates in third countries.
Malta
New Labour Migration Rules Take Effect from 1 August 2025
On 8 January 2025, the Maltese Government launched a new Labour Migration Policy for public consultation, which closed on 9 February 2025. Some measures will begin to be implemented as of 1 August 2025.
During 2025, 15 measures will begin to be implemented, with an additional five being rolled out on an ongoing basis.
Of the 15 measures scheduled for implementation in 2025, 12 will commence in August, while the remaining three will be introduced in October.
Measures starting 1 August 2025:
- Minimum termination rates allowed prior to application: Jobsplus will notify applicants if thresholds are exceeded, although no sanctions will be applied at this stage. A gradual approach to align the market to acceptable levels will be adopted. From October 2025, thresholds will be set 15 percentage points above the target rate and will gradually decrease by 5 percentage points every three months until July 2026.
- Vacancy requirement: From August 2025, applicants must provide evidence of a two- or three-week advertisement period on appropriate media platforms. From October 2025, advertising on the Jobsplus/EURES portal will be mandatory.
- Updated definition of redundancies.
- Prompt submission of engagement and termination forms: Employers will be notified if they are non-compliant from 1 August 2025. The process of regularisation will occur gradually.
- Compliance with the Persons with Disability (Employment) Act (CAP 210): Employers will be informed of any breach immediately, with full compliance required by 1 August 2025. Sanctions will apply thereafter. Thereafter, applications for third-country national workers will be suspended until the end of the month during which the employer becomes compliant.
- Revised fees.
- Extension of the grace period for third-country nationals following termination of employment.
- New salary benchmarks for the KEI and SEI.
- Restriction of single permit applications for non-work visa holders.
- Verification checks on renewals.
- Workforce application limits.
- Measures supporting partners and families.
Measures starting 1 October 2025:
- Salary payment method for newly engaged third-country nationals.
- Interim permits for third-country nationals from visa waiver countries.
- Measures supporting victims of human trafficking.
Measures implemented on an ongoing basis:
- Assessment of shortages and surpluses: Jobsplus will continue to adopt and refine robust methodologies to assess labour market needs.
- Upskilling and integration of the foreign workforce: Jobsplus offers a range of training schemes and courses that see high participation from the local workforce. Various new initiatives will be introduced progressively over the coming years.
- Skills Cards to be rolled out gradually and as necessary.
- Specific strategic Partnerships will be announced following their finalisation.
- A list of high-risk countries will be developed and regularly updated to reflect current risks.
Finally, A new national visa (D) will be launched to facilitate the entry of professional sportspersons, regulating the admission and temporary stay of third-country nationals who wish to undergo trials with Malta’s registered sports clubs
Sweden
Proposal for professions that can be exempt from new salary requirement for work permits
On behalf of the government, the Swedish Migration Board, with the help of the Swedish Public Employment Service, has developed proposals for professions that may be exempted from the proposed salary requirement for work permits in Sweden. The list of proposed professions has now been completed and has been reported to the government and consists of 152 professions.
Currently, one of the conditions for being granted a work permit in Sweden is a good livelihood, which corresponds to a salary that amounts to 80 percent of Sweden’s median salary. A recent report proposes a salary requirement that corresponds to 100 percent of Sweden’s median salary.
Earlier this year, the Swedish Migration Board was commissioned by the government to present a list of proposals for professions that can be exempted from such a salary requirement.
The report which proposes the introduction of a salary requirement and possible exceptions also contains proposals to exclude certain professions from the possibility of being granted a work permit, namely personal assistants and berry pickers. These professions are also included in the list that the Migration Board has now submitted because the need for labour is not considered to be able to be met within Sweden.
