Gozo Resident Workers’ Subsidy Including The Collective Transport Subsidy

1. What is the Gozo resident workers’ subsidy including the collective transport subsidy?

Gozo residents who work in Malta on a Full-Time basis, both with public and private sector, are eligible for a yearly subsidy of €650.  Teachers and LSEs, who travel less frequently to Malta due to summer holidays, are eligible for a yearly subsidy of €525.  Applicants who receive any refund/subsidy/allowance in relation to transport costs from their employer are eligible for a yearly subsidy of €300.00. This also applies for any commuters who are provided with a vehicle (self-driven) from their employer or who are provided with transport service (chauffeur-driven) to and from the terminal and their place of work.  Postal Workers and anyone who works within a 1 km radius of Ċirkewwa Ferry Terminal are eligible for a yearly subsidy of €300.00.

This subsidy may also cover expenses related to the collective transport organised by the workers from Ċirkewwa to their place of work and back.
  

This subsidy will be issued twice a year, with the first payment covering the period January to June, and the second covering July to December.

Applications submitted are to be verified by their respective employer.

2.  Who is eligible for the Gozo resident workers’ subsidy including the collective transport subsidy?

All Gozo residents working in Malta on a Full-Time basis are entitled to the subsidy issued by the Ministry for Gozo and Planning.
 

Applicants are to be in possession of a valid Identity Card with Gozo as their primary place of residence.
 

3.  Who is not eligible for the subsidy for Gozitan Workers?

• Gozo residents who are self-employed employees and/or shareholders at the company they work
• Gozo residents who work Part-Time in Malta
• Anyone whose main residence (as per I.D. Card) is not in Gozo
• Any applications who fail verification checks by the Services Gozo Directorate
    

 4.  How can I apply for the Gozo resident workers’ subsidy including the collective transport subsidy?

Applications for the subsidy can be found online on: 

https://www.servizz.gov.mt/en/Pages/Other/Regional-Affairs/Gozo-Affairs/WEB028/default.aspx or by downloading the free app ‘myGozo’ https://mygozo.gov.mt/ onto a smartphone or tablet.

5.  When should I apply?/During which period are applications open?

Applications for the subsidy are to be submitted twice a year, at the end of each six-month period.  Applications for the period between 1st January and 30th June are available starting from 1st July of that calendar year.  Applications for the period between 1st July and the 31st December are available starting from 1st January of the following calendar year.

6.  What information do I need to fill in my application?/What information is required to complete the application?/What does the application include?

Applicants log into the system through their e-ID account.  Those who do not have an 
e-ID account will have to create an account on the application system.  The following details will be requested:

• I.D. Card Number
• Name and Surname
• IBAN Number
• Mobile Phone Number
• Email Address
  
  

These details will be saved and will not have to be entered each time an application is submitted.

The application consists of three sections.

In the ‘Employment Details’ Section, the details to be filled in are:

• Sector Type
• Name, Address and Telephone Number of the employing organization
• Position of applicant within the organization

In the ‘Verification Officer’ section the details to be filled in are:

• The name of an officer at the employing organization who can verify the details given by the applicant
• The position of this officer within the organization
• The officer’s official email address

In the ‘Period of Application’ section the details to be filled in are:

• The period being applied for (period ending June/period ending December)
• Start date
• End date
• Whether they have made use of remote working during the period

7.  Do I need to present the ferry tickets/bus tickets?

No, you do not need to submit any ferry tickets or bus tickets.  The days that you were physically at your workplace in Malta would be confirmed by the officer within the employing organization who verifies the application.  Tickets are to be retained for a minimum of 1 year as these may be requested from time to time.

8.  I am no longer eligible for the Gozo resident workers’ subsidy including the collective transport subsidy for a full six-month period.  How can I apply for part of a period?

The online application has a start date and an end date which can be changed by the applicant.  In cases where an applicant wants to apply for part of a period (because they started/stopped working in Malta or moved to Gozo from Malta/to Malta from Gozo) the start and/or end date should be changed to reflect the period of eligibility for the subsidy. The subsidy payment would then be issued pro-rata.  In cases where overpayment has been issued because of an incorrect date being inputted by the applicant, the applicant would be asked to re-imburse the overpaid amount.

9.  I have changed my place of work in Malta, but I am still eligible for the Gozo resident workers’ subsidy including the collective transport subsidy.  How can I apply?

If you have changed your place of work during the six-month period being applied for, you would need to submit a separate application for each employing organization. Change the start/end dates as applicable.

10.  I work Full-Time in Malta, but I travel for work only on a certain number of days per week, since I make use of remote working.  How much subsidy am I entitled to?

In such cases, the total number of days per week an applicant worked from Malta are to be declared in the application during the six-month period being applied for.  This information would be confirmed by the officer within the employing organization who verifies the application.  The subsidy is issued pro-rata. 

11.  Are there cases where an application is not accepted?

An application can be declined because:

a) The applicant is not eligible for the subsidy or; 

b) Because the application has been completed incorrectly.  If an application is declined, the applicant will receive an email that is automatically generated by the system, informing them that the application has been declined.  A separate email will also be sent, by the officer in charge of the subsidy, giving the reason for which the application has been declined.  In cases where an application has not been completed correctly, the application will be sent back to the applicant for correction including the amendments required before they resubmit.  In cases where an applicant is not eligible for the subsidy they will be informed of this.  Should you require any further assistance, kindly contact the officer in charge of Subsidies Office at the Ministry for Gozo and Planning on 22155619 or email on: subsidies.mgp@gov.mt

12.  How will I receive the Gozo resident workers’ subsidy?

Payment is made by direct credit, to the account with the IBAN provided by each applicant.

13.  When will I receive the Gozo resident workers’ subsidy?

Payment for applications for the period ending June is issued during the last week of August of that calendar year.  Applications are to be submitted and verified by HR by 15th August.  Payment for applications that are submitted/verified after this date are left pending until the next payment is due.  Payment for applications for the period ending December is issued during the last week of February of the following calendar year.  Applications are to be submitted and verified by HR by 14th February.  Payment for applications that are submitted/verified after this date are left pending until the next payment is due.

14. Are late applications accepted for the subsidy for Gozitan Workers?

Applications for a six-month period become available on the first day after the end of that period and remain active for a calendar year.  For example, applications covering from 1st January to 30th June 2021 became available on 1st July 2021 and can be submitted up to 30th June 2022.  Applications covering from 1st July to 31st December 2021 became available on 1st January 2022 and can be submitted up to 31st December 2022.  That means that applications for a specific six-month period are accepted up to a calendar year from the end of that period.  Once a period closes an applicant cannot apply for that period.