The Invalidity Pension is granted to individuals who are medically certified as being permanently unable to continue performing their current employment or self-occupation due to a serious illness, physical impairment, or mental disability. Eligibility is also subject to the social security contribution conditions established under the provisions of the Social Security Act (Cap. 318.).
This pension may also be granted to persons who previously received Injury Benefit and are medically certified as having sustained a disablement of ninety percent (90%) or more, resulting from a work-related accident or occupational disease.
Invalidity Pension beneficiaries are awarded Social Security credits for the duration of their claim, and these credits are added to their paid contributions when calculating their Retirement Pension entitlement.
Before applying, individuals must have submitted at least six (6) consecutive months of blue medical certificates. However, this requirement does not apply to individuals diagnosed with a terminal illness, as their applications are referred immediately to a Medical Panel doctor for assessment.
Medical assessment needs to be carried out by a qualified medical practitioner, who is required to complete the Invalidity Pension Medical Report. If the certified medical evidence provided is insufficient, further documentation may be requested to support the assessment. In addition, the Medical board doctors may seek the claimant’s consent to access hospital records where further clinical information is necessary.
Applications submitted by Public Service employees are initially assessed by the People and Standards Division (P&SD). The case is then forwarded to the Department of Social Security for a final decision.
As from January 2026, all Invalidity Pension beneficiaries will benefit from the five-hundred and twenty (€520) annual increase, which includes the cost-of-living adjustment.
Under a 2026 Budget measure, individuals assessed at the forty (40)-point level, representing the highest degree of incapacity, will be awarded a pension equivalent to two-thirds of the Retirement Pension rate to which they would have been entitled upon reaching retirement age.
Partial Invalidity Pension
From 2026 onwards, individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorder, psychotic depression, or acute depression may engage in limited weekly employment, as advised by their medical consultant, while receiving a partial Invalidity Pension rate, subject to the following conditions.
A recommendation from the treating specialist,
At least three (3) years of continuous treatment, and
Confirmation by a Government consultant psychiatrist.
Three (3) months prior to the expiry of the Invalidity Pension certification period, beneficiaries are notified to submit a review application to be completed by a qualified medical practitioner. The medical report is then referred to the Medical Board for assessment and review of the case.
For information on cross-border situations, click here.
