Prime Minister Robert Abela has defended the government's decision to introduce new fees and remove certain benefits for third-country nationals (TCNs), arguing that no country provides every service free of charge to people who have just arrived.

"Which country on Earth gives all services for free to everyone who just landed in their country?" Abela asked when questioned  about the measures announced in the 2027 Budget.

The prime minister insisted that the government remained committed to treating foreign workers with dignity and respect, but argued that this did not mean the State should provide every service free of charge.

The budget, presented on Monday, introduced several measures affecting TCNs living and working in Malta, including the removal of free public transport and increases in driving licence fees.

Abela also defended the wages earned by foreign workers, arguing that many TCNs are well-paid and that salaries depend on the sector in which they work rather than their nationality.

However, research by the Central Bank of Malta and figures presented in Parliament by Finance Minister Clyde Caruana paint a less favourable picture of the earnings of TCNs.

A Central Bank study conducted last April found that the median annual employment income of TCNs who worked throughout 2024 stood at €18,200, around 38% below the national average.

Meanwhile, figures tabled by Caruana showed that TCNs are disproportionately represented in lower-income brackets.

Asked about the disparity, Abela argued that foreign workers should not be treated as a single category, pointing to the thousands of foreign doctors, engineers and other highly skilled professionals employed in Malta.

He maintained that their earnings differ considerably from those of workers employed in lower-paying sectors.

"Any worker, regardless of their nationality, is paid for the work they are doing. They are not being paid based on their nationality," he insisted.

While acknowledging the Central Bank's findings, Abela argued that the data needed to be considered in the context of differences in employment sectors and skill levels.

"The Central Bank's study needs to be weighed in with this, but you can't put everyone in one box," he said.

The prime minister explained that the new measures were based on the principle that foreign nationals should spend a certain period working in Malta before becoming entitled to certain benefits.

He nevertheless stressed that TCNs would retain access to free healthcare and education, which he described as basic services.

"They will keep having access to these basic services," he told journalists, adding that other countries did not provide the same benefits.