The Adoption Service in Malta is managed by the Foundation for Social Welfare Services (FSWS) under its Directorate for Alternative Care. The service supports individuals and families who are considering adopting a child, guiding them through every stage of the process, from initial enquiry through to post-adoption monitoring and support. Adoption in Malta is governed by the Adoption Administration Act (Cap. 569) and must follow a structured legal process both in Malta and, in the case of overseas adoptions, in the country of origin of the child.
Both local (Maltese) and overseas adoptions are available. Countries currently open for overseas adoption include Albania, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Latvia, Poland, Portugal, Chile, and India. The Adoption Service continuously works towards opening adoption pathways from additional countries.
- A social worker is allocated to every family and assists them from the initial wish to become an adoptive parent and the ongoing journey.
- Pre service support groups/ one to one sessions are provided by the Adoption Service to Prospective Adoptive parents who have not yet been matched with a child.
- Post adoption training sessions and support groups are provided to adoptive parents who have adopted a child.
- Adopted children may make use of all mainstream services, none the less, they may benefit from psychological sessions and family therapy from FSWS should the need arise.
- €10,000 adoption grant for overseas adoption processes.
Overseas Adoption Grant:
Parents who adopt a child from overseas are entitled to a partial reimbursement of adoption-related expenses of up to €10,000. This grant applies only to Maltese citizens, only to adoptions finalised from 10 October 2017 onwards, and only once a Court Decree has been issued by the Maltese Courts finalising the adoption legally.
Adoption Benefit (DSS):
Adoptive parents may also be entitled to an Adoption Benefit from the Department of Social Security — equivalent to the Maternity Benefit — payable for 18 weeks. This must be applied for within 6 months of the official adoption date.
To be considered as prospective adoptive parents in Malta:
-Contact 2295900 and an initial meeting is set and an informative programme is provided.
-A pre service training is provided over 7 sessions
-A key social worker is allocated and a home study report is carried out and then the Adoption Board approves/does not approve the prospective adoptive carer.
-The prospective adoptive parent decides which country to apply for adoption
-Each country has a different matching process.
-Following the adoption process, the key social worker continues to follow the family as part of the post-adoption assessment. This various according to the country criteria.
