The Department of Social Security is introducing a significant change to the procedure for applying for A1 certificates, effective 1 September 2026. The new procedure will apply to employees, seafarers, air crew members and other individuals who require an A1 certificate.
Under the new arrangements, A1 certificate applications will have to be submitted personally by the individual applicant through the designated online service. Organisations will no longer be able to submit applications on behalf of their employees.
Individual responsibility for A1 applications
In accordance with the applicable European Union rules governing the coordination of social security systems, individuals will be required to access the online A1 application service and submit their applications themselves.
From 1 September 2026, applicants will be required to authenticate themselves using either their Maltese electronic identity (eID) or, where they do not hold a Maltese eID, the eIDAS system.
This represents a change from the previous practice under which organisations could submit A1 applications on behalf of their employees.
Employers are therefore encouraged to notify all affected employees of the new requirements in advance, particularly those who are expected to require an A1 certificate following the implementation of the new procedure.
Access through eIDAS
Applicants who do not hold a Maltese eID will be required to access the online service through eIDAS.
eIDAS is the European framework that enables electronic identities issued in one participating country to be recognised for access to online public services in another participating country, including Malta.
Applicants should note that an “eIDAS account” is not issued directly by the Maltese authorities. Instead, individuals must obtain or activate a national electronic identity through the competent authority in their country of residence or nationality, as applicable. The national eID must be compatible with and recognised through the eIDAS framework.
Accordingly, seafarers, air crew members and other applicants who do not possess the required electronic identification should contact the relevant authority in their own country to establish the applicable procedure for obtaining or activating their national eID.
The Department of Social Security is not in a position to obtain or arrange electronic identification credentials on behalf of individual applicants.
Basis for the new procedure
It is important to clarify that this procedural change has not been determined independently by the Department of Social Security.
The requirement arises from the applicable European Union legislation concerning the coordination of social security systems. The PD A1 is an EU document issued pursuant to the European Regulations governing the coordination of social security systems.
The Department of Social Security is consequently required to implement the procedure established at European Union level.
Data protection considerations
The introduction of the new procedure also has implications for organisations that have previously processed employees’ personal data for the purpose of submitting A1 applications on their behalf.
As organisations will no longer be responsible for submitting these applications, such processing of employees’ personal data should cease.
In accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR) and applicable national data protection legislation, organisations should ensure that affected employees are informed, in accordance with the principle of transparency, that this processing will cease as from 24 August 2026.
Organisations should therefore review their existing A1-related data processing arrangements and take the necessary steps to ensure that they are aligned with the new procedure.
Important dates
The following dates should be noted:
24 August 2026
Organisations should cease processing employees’ personal data for the purpose of submitting A1 applications on their behalf and should inform affected employees accordingly.
1 September 2026
Individuals will be required to access the online service and submit their own A1 applications using their Maltese eID or, where applicable, eIDAS.
Actions required by employers and employees
Employers
Employers should take the necessary steps to prepare for the implementation of the new procedure. In particular, they should:
- Inform affected employees of the change in the A1 application procedure.
- Explain that employees will be responsible for submitting their own applications from 1 September 2026.
- Ensure that employees are aware of the applicable eID and eIDAS requirements.
- Pay particular attention to employees who do not hold a Maltese eID and may therefore need to arrange access through eIDAS.
- Inform employees that the previous processing of their personal data for A1 applications will cease as from 24 August 2026.
- Review existing procedures relating to the processing of employee information for A1 applications.
Employees and other applicants
Individuals who require an A1 certificate should, in advance of the implementation date:
- Ensure that they have the necessary electronic identification to access the online service.
- Where they do not hold a Maltese eID, contact the relevant authority in their own country regarding the availability, activation or use of a national eID through eIDAS.
- Familiarise themselves with the online A1 application process.
- Submit their applications personally from 1 September 2026.
Online application and further information
A1 applications may be submitted through the Entitlement Remain Insured Malta – Social Security online service. Applicants may also refer to the relevant step-by-step guidance available to assist them in completing the application.
Download the A1 Online Application Form Guidelines (PDF) here.
For further information or queries concerning the application procedure, individuals may contact the Department of Social Security at iru.dss@gov.mt.
Conclusion
The introduction of the new procedure represents an important change in the administration of A1 certificate applications. With effect from 1 September 2026, the responsibility for submitting an A1 application will rest with the individual applicant, rather than with the applicant’s employer or organisation.
Applicants should ensure in advance that they have the appropriate electronic identification required to access the online service, while employers should communicate the change to affected employees and ensure that their data processing practices are updated accordingly.
Early preparation will be important in ensuring that applicants are able to submit their A1 applications without unnecessary delay once the new procedure takes effect.