Earlier this week, the Minister for Gozo and Planning, the Hon. Clint Camilleri, launched the 2026 schemes that will be administered by Invest Gozo. The 2026 schemes, Supporting Sustainable Quality Employment in Gozo Scheme 2026, Supporting Knowledge-Based Sectors in Gozo Scheme 2026, Promoting Gozo’s Niche Tourism Markets Scheme, and Supporting Marketing Initiatives for the Accommodation Sector in Gozo Scheme, are based on last year’s schemes, which were very popular among Gozitan businesses. In fact, in 2025, InvestGozo received over 550 applications for the above-mentioned schemes, and more than half a million euros were disbursed to the applicants during the year.
The Supporting Sustainable Quality Employment in Gozo Scheme 2026 targets employers operating and registered in Gozo, with employees who must meet certain eligibility criteria, such as a minimum salary of €18,000 for certain existing staff. Through this scheme, employers can receive partial salary reimbursement over 3 years for full-time, indefinite employees, new hires post–Nov 2025, or long-term staff since 2018, following prior schemes. Through this scheme, the Ministry for Gozo and Planning aims to strengthen employment quality, motivate employers to consider higher salaries, reduce employee turnover, and align Gozo wages with national levels. Last year, this scheme was one of the most popular, and through it, InvestGozo processed 492 applications, allocating a total of €348,075.79 in funds to eligible businesses.
Critical to Gozo’s strategy to shift towards a knowledge-driven economy, the Supporting Knowledge-Based Sectors in Gozo Scheme 2026 is intended to help build skills, sustain innovation and high-value-added industries. Building on the previous scheme, which received 39 applications in 2025, this scheme is open to employers in the knowledge-based sector in Gozo, including ICT, finance, legal, consultancy, engineering, R&D, and design. Benefits are in the form of partial salary and training cost reimbursement, according to specific bands, and the scheme supports new, relocated (post–Nov 2025), and long-term employees (since 2018, after prior scheme cycles). In 2025, businesses benefited from €133,722.4 in payouts.
As the island continues to focus on providing authentic tourism experiences, promoting Gozo’s niche tourism markets becomes strategically important. The Promoting Gozo’s Niche Tourism Markets Scheme addresses niche tourism businesses operating in crafts, diving, weddings, gastronomy, wellness, MICE and religious tourism among others. The scheme helps by covering up to 75% of marketing costs tied to advertising and /or participation in international fairs/events abroad (capped at €3000 for advertising or international fairs and €4,500 for both). Such initiatives help Gozitan firms reach a wider audience, in turn positioning Gozo as a sustainable, high-quality destination and boosting niche tourism. The scheme recorded 8 applications in 2025, with total disbursements reaching €10,500. This provides a basis for further growth, with increased uptake expected in 2026 as more operators tap into funds offered through this scheme.
Another scheme tied to the tourism industry in Gozo is the Supporting Marketing Initiatives for the Accommodation Sector in Gozo Scheme. Beneficiaries for this scheme are licensed accommodation operators in Gozo registered with the Malta Tourism Authority. The aim is to promote Gozo as a high-quality holiday destination and strengthen the VisitGozo brand by assisting the accommodation sector in investing in continuous and intensive professional digital marketing. Through the scheme, operators can recover up to 65% of their digital marketing costs (capped at €8,000), with a minimum investment of €5,500 and a campaign duration of 6–12 months. Applicants will be required to present a professionally developed marketing plan and ultimately demonstrate the campaign’s completion through performance analytics. Last year, a total of €63,816.87 were distributed via the scheme among 12 operators.
Building on last year’s momentum, the 2026 schemes reinforce Gozo’s commitment to sustainable economic growth. By supporting employment, skills development, diversification and targeted tourism initiatives, the Ministry for Gozo and Planning is implementing measures that continue to strengthen the island’s long-term competitiveness and improve the quality of life.
Apply here for the Supporting Knowledge-Based Sectors in Gozo Scheme 2026
Apply here for the Supporting Sustainable Quality Employment in Gozo Scheme 2026
Apply here for the Promoting Gozo’s Niche Tourism Markets Scheme
Apply here for the Supporting Marketing Initiatives for the Accommodation Sector in Gozo Scheme