A serious plan for population and immigration: less bureaucracy, greater security and the protection of Maltese identity

PN Leader Alex Borg announces six concrete measures for Malta to have control, planning and direction in an area affecting the daily lives of Maltese and Gozitan people

A responsible government addresses the challenge of population and immigration seriously, and a new Nationalist Government will do so through a concrete plan built on three clear priorities: reducing bureaucracy for employers and citizens, ensuring national planning that keeps pace with population levels, and strengthening security in our communities.

This was the message delivered by the Leader of the Partit Nazzjonalista Alex Borg during a press conference on population and immigration, also addressed by Partit Nazzjonalista candidate Darren Carabott.

Alex Borg said this is a sensitive subject, but precisely for that reason it must be addressed with responsibility, seriousness and courage. He said that the Maltese and Gozitan people are feeling the effects of a sharp increase in population on their daily lives: on infrastructure, public services, security, Maltese identity and quality of life.

For this reason, a new Nationalist Government will implement six main measures:

1. A holistic reform of the residence and work permit system
Two separate and clearly defined one-stop shops will be created: one for Maltese and European citizens, responsible for services such as passports, identity cards, registration of public acts, civil status acts and residence certificates; and another for employers and third-country nationals, responsible for visas, work permits and residence permits. In this way, employers will no longer remain trapped in excessive bureaucracy, delays and parallel systems.

2. A new authority responsible for population levels
This authority will be responsible for drawing up a national policy based on studies, planning and serious forecasting so that our country can find the balance it has lost in recent years without any ashocks to the economy. This authority will publish a sector-by-sector Labour Market Research Study, launch a Malta Population Levels Plan linked to work and residence permits, and draw up a National Capacity Plan that provides clear direction on the country’s infrastructural needs.

3. A basic Maltese language course for third-country workers in public-facing services
Every third-country national working in a service involving direct contact with the public will be required to follow a basic Maltese language course within one year of starting work in Malta. This is a measure for integration, respect towards consumers and the protection of Maltese identity.

4. A joint Task Force for national security
A specialised joint unit will be created between the Armed Forces of Malta and the Police Force, responsible for enforcing Malta’s borders and territory, the repatriation of persons who are in Malta illegally, and specialised work against drug trafficking and human trafficking.

5. Investment in the Armed Forces and the Police Force in Gozo
A new Nationalist Government will invest in the infrastructure and resources of the Armed Forces of Malta and the Police Force in Gozo, to ensure greater presence, stronger enforcement and more peace of mind for Gozitan families. This will also include more Gozitan soldiers and police officers working in Gozo itself.

6. Reform of the Immigration Appeals Board
The Immigration Appeals Board will be reformed to make it more independent, transparent and credible. This board will be presided over by a Magistrate and will have processes that reduce the opportunity or perception of political influence.

Alex Borg said that in 2013 Malta’s population stood at around 420,000 people, including around 20,000 foreign nationals. Today, the population is around 570,000 people, with around 170,000 foreign nationals. He said that recently Minister Clyde Caruana publicly confirmed that if the current economic model remains unchanged, within 14 years Malta’s population is expected to rise to around 800,000 people, around half of whom would be foreign nationals.

The PN Leader said that many people are concerned about several issues: employers are worried because they are facing labour shortages and long, frustrating processes to recruit workers, while Maltese and Gozitan families are concerned about security, infrastructure that is failing to keep up, services that are under strain, and the sense that Maltese identity is being weakened.

The Partit Nazzjonalista believes that the country needs a new model that does not allow immigration and population growth to proceed without direction. This is not a partisan issue, but an important national issue that seriously affects the future of Malta and Gozo.

Darren Carabott spoke about the need for the country to have institutions that work more efficiently, transparently and responsibly, with a policy that gives certainty to employers, protects workers and, at the same time, safeguards the national interest.

Through these measures, a new Nationalist Government will drastically reduce bureaucracy, build infrastructure that meets the country’s demand, strengthen public services, protect Maltese identity and increase security in our communities.

Alex Borg concluded by saying that the aim of the Partit Nazzjonalista is for every person in Malta and Gozo to have access to quality services delivered on time, to live with a sense of security and peace of mind, and to enjoy a more comfortable and peaceful life with their family.

14.05.2026