In 2026, Malta is betting everything on two key words: well-being and innovation. The government has announced that all 16-21 year olds will be able to enjoy six months of free gym training, an initiative designed to encourage a healthier and more active lifestyle. The announcement comes directly from Finance Minister Clyde Caruana, who illustrated the measure during his budget speech.
The idea did not come from nowhere: the measure had already been introduced in the previous budget, but reserved for young people born between 2005 and 2007. After the initial success and the campaign launched by the fitness group Bulletproof Culture, which had even involved the former bodybuilder and current prime minister Robert Abela, the government decided to broaden the audience, including those born between 2004 and 2009.
A free gym for six months may seem like a small bonus, but it’s actually a concrete step towards promoting mental and physical health among young people. At a time when sedentary lifestyle and stress are on the rise, making physical activity more accessible means investing in quality of life.
The average cost of a six-month gym membership in Malta varies between 250 and 450 euros, an expense that many students cannot afford. With this measure, the government wants to eliminate that economic barrier and give everyone the opportunity to take care of themselves, without social distinctions.
Also help for digital school
The news of the 2026 budget does not stop at the gym. There is also a 500 euro bonus for families with children attending the 10th and 11th year. The contribution will be used to purchase devices and digital resources, an important step towards equality in access to technology.
Minister Caruana recalled that, by the end of 2025, around 20,000 digital devices will be distributed to students in other classes. The objective is to support the digital transformation of Maltese schools, in line with the commitments of the government’s electoral manifesto, which provides a free laptop for every secondary school student.
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