What changed
Under the Construction Industry Licensing Regulations (S.L. 623.09), contractors in demolition, excavation and piling, and construction must hold a licence from the Building and Construction Authority (BCA). The BCA has enforced this since 1 July 2025: operators without a licence are stopped from all their work. By then, 2,265 licences had been issued: 924 for building, 832 for demolition and 509 for excavation.
How licences work
- Applications are evaluated by an Independent Contractor Licensing Committee.
- An approved licence only becomes valid once the licence fee is paid.
- Licences are renewed every two years, with the renewal application due at least 90 days before expiry.
- Some minor works, such as opening or closing apertures, building or removing internal walls, or hand-dug excavations for pipes, can be done without a licence. Roofs, structural works, pools and basements are not minor works.
Why it matters to you
If an unlicensed contractor is caught on your site, the work stops, and so does your timeline. The licence also tells you the contractor has met the BCA's criteria for the type of work they're doing. Excavation needs an excavation licence, demolition a demolition licence.
What to ask before you hire
- Can I see your BCA licence? Check it covers the type of work on your project and is still in date.
- Who will be your site technical officer? Needed for works next to neighbouring property. They must be a perit or engineering graduate, accepted by your perit.
- What's in your quote? Ask for an itemised quotation, so you can compare like with like.
- How will you protect neighbours and the street? Dust, debris, access and working hours all matter in Malta's tight streets.
Not sure? The BCA helpline is 138.
How we handle it
We only bring licensed contractors onto our clients' sites and check their licences before work starts. It's one less thing for you to chase.
Frequently asked questions
When did contractor licensing start in Malta?
Licences became enforceable from 1 July 2025 under S.L. 623.09.
How often must a contractor licence be renewed?
Every two years, with the renewal application due at least 90 days before expiry.
