Background

The Salaries or Wages (Exemption from Attachment) Order 2026 (the ‘Order’), published on the 22nd of May 2026, makes a modest but important update to the minimum salary or wages that remain protected from attachment by a garnishee order for debt enforcement purposes.

What is a Garnishee Order?

A garnishee order, known in Maltese as a mandat ta’ sekwestru, is a court warrant used to enforce a debt against funds held by a third party, such as a bank or employer. In practice, it temporarily restricts access to money owed to the debtor, up to the amount claimed by the creditor.

Wages or Salaries Exempt from Garnishee Order Attachment

Under Maltese law, salaries and wages are generally exempt from attachment. However, this protection is not absolute.

Where a salary or wage exceeds a statutory minimum threshold (being €1233 per month or such other amount as established by the Minister from time to time), the amount above that threshold may be subject to a garnishee order (subject to certain exceptions).

What’s New?

The Salaries or Wages (Exemption from Attachment) Order 2026 increases the protected minimum threshold to €1,350 per month.

This means that as from 22nd of May 2026, any portion of a salary or wage exceeding €1,350 may, in principle, be subject to attachment through a garnishee order, subject to the same legal exceptions and safeguards previously applicable.

Get in Touch

If you require guidance on the practical implications of this change, including debt enforcement, payroll exposure, or compliance considerations, our team can assist.

At Zeta, we support clients with a range of corporate and regulatory advisory services, helping businesses and individuals navigate legal and operational changes with confidence.

For further information or tailored advice, please get in touch through our website at zeta-financial.com.

This article is intended for general information purposes only and does not constitute tax, legal or other professional advice. It provides a high-level summary of the information and reflects our interpretation of the information as at the date of publication.

The application and impact of the information may vary depending on individual circumstances, and the information is subject to change and to interpretation by the relevant authorities. Accordingly, this article should not be relied upon as a substitute for specific professional advice.

Readers are encouraged to seek tailored advice before taking any action based on the information contained herein.