Health Care in Malta – what you need to know as a person visiting Malta
Information for visitors to Malta regarding access to healthcare services, emergency treatment, entitlement documentation, and healthcare coverage during temporary stays.
Visitors may access state-provided healthcare services in Malta depending on their nationality, residency status, and entitlement documentation, such as the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), S1 forms, or Reciprocal Healthcare Agreement (RHA) entitlement.
Follow this information to access healthcare services in Malta:
Description
Visitors to Malta may be entitled to free or reduced-cost state healthcare during temporary stays in Malta.
EU visitors in a cross-border situation may access state-provided healthcare by presenting a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) when urgent or medically necessary treatment is required during their temporary stay in Malta.
If an EU visitor plans to stay in Malta for a longer period, such as a posted worker or pensioner, an S1 form should be registered with the competent institution in Malta. Once registered, the person will receive a Certificate of Entitlement, which must be presented whenever attending a hospital or health centre.
UK nationals may access the Maltese healthcare system in several ways:
- By paying social security contributions while employed or self-employed in Malta. A residence card serves as proof of entitlement to healthcare services.
- Persons exempt from paying social security contributions may also be entitled to healthcare according to the Maltese Social Security Act, including persons on benefits or with low income.
- By registering a UK-issued S1 form with the Entitlement Unit after completing residency registration procedures, normally three months after arrival in Malta.
- By using a UK-issued EHIC or GHIC during temporary stays.
- By using an RHA Entitlement Card if no other healthcare entitlement exists.
- By presenting a valid UK passport during a temporary stay when no other entitlement applies.
Persons registering a UK-issued S1 form must present:
- The original S1 form
- Passport
- Residency document
- Photocopies of all submitted documents
Persons who require healthcare before completing S1 registration may request a Provisional Replacement Certificate by contacting:
Overseas Healthcare Services
Tel: +44 191 218 1999
Monday to Friday – 08:00 to 18:00
Once the S1 form is registered, the applicant will receive a Certificate of Entitlement confirming access to state-funded healthcare in Malta. Applicants may also apply for a UK-issued EHIC/GHIC for use across EU and EFTA countries.
Persons with no other entitlement may apply for an RHA Entitlement Card, which provides access to free state healthcare in Malta, although coverage may be more limited than healthcare access granted through social security contributions. Applicants who apply before completing residency registration may receive a provisional certificate.
Who is eligible for the Service?
Healthcare services may be accessed by:
- EU visitors temporarily staying in Malta
- UK nationals visiting or residing in Malta
- Persons covered by Maltese Social Security legislation
- Holders of valid EHIC, GHIC, S1, or RHA entitlement documentation
- Persons entitled to free public healthcare under Maltese legislation
Accessing Healthcare Services in Malta
Emergency and medically necessary treatment may be accessed free of charge for entitled persons at:
Mater Dei Hospital, Msida, Tel: +356 2545 0000
Gozo General Hospital, Gozo, Tel: +356 2156 1600
Health Centres throughout Malta and Gozo.
In acute emergencies, patients may call 112 for an ambulance or proceed directly to the Accident & Emergency Department.
Emergency dental treatment is provided free of charge for entitled persons at Mater Dei Hospital and health centres. Access to public dental care is limited. In most cases, dental treatment is provided privately and paid directly by the patient. These costs are non-refundable.
Medication prescribed during inpatient treatment, or for the first three days after discharge, is provided free of charge for entitled persons. Medication prescribed after this period must be paid in full by the patient and these costs are non-refundable.
Emergency ambulance transport to hospital is covered for holders of a valid EHIC and persons entitled to free public healthcare in Malta.
Persons requiring dialysis, oxygen therapy, or chemotherapy during their stay in Malta should arrange appointments in advance.
For renal dialysis contact:
Mater Dei Hospital – Renal Unit
Reception Area: +356 2545 6079 / +356 2545 6080
Peritoneal Dialysis Area: +356 2545 6096
For oxygen therapy contact:
Mater Dei Hospital – Pharmaceutical Services
Tel: +356 2545 6535
Renal dialysis and oxygen therapy are provided free of charge upon presentation of a valid EHIC or proof of entitlement to free public healthcare.
What are the Visitor’s obligations?
Visitors accessing healthcare services in Malta are required to:
- Present valid entitlement documentation where applicable
- Carry identification documents when attending healthcare institutions
- Arrange advance appointments for specialised treatments where necessary
- Pay any applicable healthcare charges not covered by entitlement schemes
What will the Department / Unit provide in return?
Eligible visitors will receive access to emergency and medically necessary treatment through Malta’s public healthcare system according to Maltese healthcare regulations and applicable international healthcare agreements.
This includes access to:
- Public hospitals and health centres
- Emergency healthcare services
- Ambulance transport in emergencies
- Selected specialised treatments subject to entitlement conditions