Can I lose my Malta residence permit if I leave the country for a long period?

Extended absences from Malta can potentially affect the validity of certain residence permits, since some permit categories are premised on your genuine ongoing residence in Malta, and prolonged or repeated absences beyond what might be considered normal travel could, depending on the specific type of permit you hold and its underlying conditions, raise questions about whether you still genuinely meet the basis on which it was granted, particularly for employment-based permits where continued active employment in Malta is a core condition. The specific rules and thresholds around acceptable absence periods can vary meaningfully depending on your exact residence category, so it would not be safe to assume a general rule applies uniformly to your situation without checking the specific conditions attached to your particular permit type. Given the potential risk to your legal status from an extended absence, and given that the consequences of getting this wrong could be significant, it would be sensible to clarify your specific situation directly with Identità before your departure, or to consult an immigration lawyer, particularly if your absence relates to circumstances, such as remote work continuation or family matters, that might affect how your case is assessed.