Passengers travelling on foot on Gozo ferry will be free

Announcing a set of proposals as part of the Labour Party’s electoral manifesto, Prime Minister Robert Abela said that Erasmus students, and students participating in other educational programmes overseas, will receive a €1,000 grant, students will benefit from a 15% increase while passenger travel on the Gozo ferry will be free for those travelling on foot between the two islands.

Abela unveiled the second set of electoral proposals, continuing to build on a vision centred around people’s everyday realities, supporting individuals at every stage of life.

Addressing a news conference, Abela said the proposals are grounded in stability and responsible leadership, which continue to allow Government to invest directly in people.

“We can do this because our country has remained stable: the result of competence and responsible leadership,” he said.

Kick Start for Youths

Further measures aimed at students and young people were announced, which will strengthen support throughout their educational journey.

Students will benefit from a 15% increase in stipends, while those participating in programmes such as Erasmus will receive a €1,000 grant, encouraging more young people to gain international experience.

The Prime Minister stressed that Government wants students to fully experience education “with time for study, research and life experiences.”

First-Time Buyers

Support for first-time buyers is being strengthened further, building on measures already announced.

The stamp duty exemption threshold will increase from €200,000 to €300,000, saving buyers an additional €5,000. Eligibility for the 10% deposit scheme will also rise to €300,000, while a €1,200 refund will be given on notary and related expenses.

These measures complement the My First Home scheme, reducing the burden significantly. “This means tens of thousands of euros remaining in the pockets of our youths,” the Prime Minister said.

There for the Parents

Families remain at the centre of Government’s approach, with targeted support for those facing added challenges.

Therapy for children with disabilities will be fully funded, while parents will continue benefiting from favourable tax rates until their children turn 23. In cases of severe disability, this benefit will remain for as long as care is needed.

The carers’ grant will also double again, reaching the equivalent of the minimum wage.

“These are not just proposals, but beliefs,” the Prime Minister said, underlining that no family should be held back due to financial limitations.

Guarantee for the Elderly

Building on the commitment to increase pensions by €50 per week over five years, further measures will strengthen support for pensioners.

These include allowing spouses to transfer social security contributions to qualify for pensions, completing the widows’ pension reform by 2027, and increasing compensation for widows who lost their own pension entitlement.

The aim, the Prime Minister said, is to ensure dignity and a better quality of life for those who built the country.

Gozo

A key proposal focuses on connectivity with Gozo.

Passenger travel on the Gozo Channel ferry will become free for Maltese and Gozitan residents travelling between the islands on foot.

“This is part of public transport and should be free, just like the rest of the network,” the Prime Minister said.

The measure will be complemented by improved public transport routes and increased support for fast ferry users, with grants rising from €650 to €800.

The Prime Minister concluded by emphasising that these proposals are not isolated measures, but part of a wider vision that looks ahead, building a Malta that continues to grow, but where that growth is felt in people’s everyday lives.

He stressed that the manifesto is rooted in the realities, aspirations and experiences of Maltese and Gozitan families, reflecting a Government that listens and acts. From students to young workers, from parents to pensioners, the aim is clear: to ensure that progress continues to translate into opportunity, security and a better quality of life for all.