Hiring a carer is one of the most important decisions families make when supporting an elderly relative or a loved one who requires daily assistance.

Many families in Malta are unsure about:

• the real cost of employing a carer
• the government subsidies available
• the legal responsibilities of becoming an employer
• the difference between live-in and live-out carers
• the process of finding the right carer

This guide explains everything you need to know from A to Z about employing a carer in Malta, including the recruitment process, typical costs, and the structured care approach used by MyCare Malta.

When Should You Consider Hiring a Carer?

Families usually begin considering a carer when daily life becomes difficult to manage independently.

Common situations include:

Hiring a carer allows individuals to maintain independence and remain safely in their own home while receiving the support they need.

Understanding Your Options: Recruitment vs Temping

There are two main ways families can engage a carer in Malta.

Recruitment (Direct Employment Model)

Under the recruitment model, the patient becomes the employer of the carer. In many cases, a family member manages the employment on behalf of the patient.

This is the most common and cost-effective arrangement in Malta.

Under this model:

• the patient (or their representative) employs the carer directly
• the employer pays the carer’s salary
• government subsidies may be accessed
• the carer works directly for the patient

Professional providers such as MyCare Malta assist families throughout the process, including:

• candidate sourcing and screening
• interview coordination
• employment documentation
• government subsidy applications
• payroll administration and compliance support

Temping (Agency Employment)

Under the temping model:

• the carer is employed by the agency
• the family pays a monthly service fee to the agency
• payroll and employment obligations are handled by the agency

Temping provides greater flexibility, but is usually more expensive than recruitment.

Most families choose the recruitment model, which allows them to employ a carer directly while keeping costs lower.

Types of Care Arrangements: Live-In vs Live-Out

Once a family decides to hire a carer, the next decision is the type of care arrangement.

Live-In Carer

A live-in carer resides in the employer’s home and provides daily support.

Live-in care is typically used when:

• the patient requires regular supervision
• assistance may be needed during both day and evening
• the patient prefers continuous support at home

For live-in carers, the employer must provide:

• a private bedroom
• access to a bathroom
• meals or access to food
• Wi-Fi connection
• basic living amenities

Live-in carers normally work six days per week with one day off.

Live-Out Carer

A live-out carer travels to the patient’s home for scheduled working hours and does not reside in the household.

This arrangement is suitable when:

• the patient requires help only during certain hours
• family members provide additional support
• night supervision is not required

Live-out carers usually work full-time daytime shifts or part-time scheduled hours.

The choice between live-in and live-out care depends on the patient’s needs and level of independence.

The MyCare Malta Care Framework

What makes MyCare Malta different from traditional recruitment agencies is that we do not simply place a carer.

We follow a structured care framework designed to ensure the long-term success of the care arrangement.

Our approach consists of four stages:

Evaluation → Care Plan → Recruitment → Ongoing Care Support

Step 1 — Professional Evaluation

The process begins with a professional evaluation visit.

During this visit we assess:

• the patient’s care needs
• the living environment
• family dynamics and expectations
• the level of supervision required
• mobility and safety considerations

This evaluation allows us to fully understand the patient’s situation before recruitment begins.

Step 2 — Personalised Care Plan

Following the evaluation, we prepare a personalised care plan.

The care plan outlines:

• daily care routines
• medication support requirements
• mobility assistance needs
• personal care needs
• household support expectations
• safety considerations

The care plan becomes the foundation for recruitment and ongoing care support.

Step 3 — Recruitment and Matching

Once the care plan is prepared, recruitment begins.

This includes:

• candidate sourcing
• professional screening
• CV presentation
• interview coordination
• assistance with employment documentation
• support with government subsidy applications

Using the care plan as a guide allows us to match carers based on:

• personality compatibility
• language ability
• experience with specific conditions
• ability to follow the defined care plan

Typical Salary of a Carer in Malta

A typical full-time carer salary in Malta is approximately:

€1,200 per month

Employees are also entitled to statutory bonuses and allowances, which when averaged monthly amount to approximately:

€43 per month

Government Subsidy — Carer at Home Scheme

The Maltese government provides financial support through the Carer at Home Scheme.

The subsidy can reach:

€8,500 per year

which equals approximately:

€708 per month.

This allows elderly individuals to remain in their home while employing a carer.

Cost Overview When Hiring a Carer

Below is a simplified overview of the possible costs involved when employing a carer.

Example Cost Summary

Initial Setup Costs

Monthly Cost Before Subsidy

Estimated Monthly Cost After Subsidy

Ongoing Care Support

The first months of employment are often the most important.

During this period:

• the patient and carer adjust to each other
• care routines are established
• communication patterns develop

Ongoing care support may include:

• payroll administration (FS4, FS5, FS3, FS7 and Jobsplus submissions)
• administrative support related to employment
• mediation between family and carer
• care coordination
• monitoring of the care arrangement
• access to digital care tools and task management systems through the MyCare Malta Health Portal

Additional Services

Families may also require assistance with certain administrative processes related to employment.

These may include:

• notarisation of documents, which is often required to notarise the employment contract between the employer and the carer.
• preparation of documentation for employment renewals or for carers that families have recruited independently. In situations where families have found their own carer, or where a work agreement needs to be renewed, the required documentation still needs to be prepared and submitted correctly. These documentation services can be offered as a standalone service.

Hiring a carer may initially seem complex, but with the right guidance and structure it becomes a manageable and highly beneficial solution.

The goal is always to allow individuals to receive quality care while remaining comfortably in their own home, supported by a structured and professional care framework.