Prior to the introduction of recent amendments, and in line with the Urgent Family Leave Regulations (Subsidiary Legislation 452.88), employees were entitled to a minimum of fifteen hours of paid urgent family leave, to be availed of in cases involving accidents, sudden illness, births and deaths of immediate family members. These hours were deducted from employees’ annual leave entitlement.
With the introduction of the Urgent Family Leave (Amendment) Regulations of 2025 (Legal Notice 28 of 2025), urgent family leave has been extended from fifteen hours to thirty-two hours with pay. However, whilst the first sixteen hours are deducted from the employee’s annual leave entitlement, the remaining sixteen hours are deducted from the employee’s annual sick leave entitlement.
It is important to note that the new amendments to urgent family leave entered into effect on 4th April 2025.
This document does not purport to give legal, financial or tax advice. Should you require further information or legal assistance, please do not hesitate to contact Dr. Christine Calleja.