EU visitors (in a cross border situation)

On presentation of a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) you will be able to access state-provided healthcare if you require urgent/necessary medical care during your temporary stay in Malta.

If you plan to stay in Malta for a longer time (for example as a posted worker or pensioner) you should register an S1 form with the competent institution in Malta, which will then issue the document ‘Certificate of Entitlement’.  This should be presented whenever you go to a hospital or health centre.

UK visitors

UK nationals can access the Maltese healthcare system for free in one of these ways:

Paying social security contributions if you are employed or self-employed – your residence card will be evidence of your entitlement to the healthcare system. You may also be entitled to access healthcare if you are exempt from paying social security contributions, e.g. if you are on benefits or have a low income according to the requirements of the Maltese Social Security act.

• Registering a UK-issued S1. You will be able to register your S1 form with the Entitlement Unit once you have completed the residency registration process, 3 months after arrival.

In the meantime, should you require healthcare treatment while you are in Malta, you can apply for a Provisional Replacement Certificate by calling Overseas Healthcare Services on +44 191 218 1999, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.

Once you register your S1 form with the Entitlement Unit, you will receive a Certificate of Entitlement, which will prove your entitlement to access state-funded healthcare in Malta. At this point you will also be able to apply for a new UK-issued EHIC/GHIC at www.nhs.uk/ehic, which can be used across EU and EFTA countries. For more information about Healthcare in Malta, please visit the UK government’s Guidance on Healthcare for UK nationals living in Malta.

When you register your S1 with the Entitlement Unit, you’ll need to show:

• • your original S1 form
  • your passport
  • your residency document
  • photocopies of the above documents

• Using an RHA Entitlement Card – available to those who have no other entitlement – Information on how to apply here. This entitles you to free state healthcare in Malta. You will not be covered for everything you would get if you were paying social security contributions. If you apply before completing your residency registration, you will be issued with a provisional certificate.
• Using a UK-issued European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) for temporary stays.
• Showing a UK passport during a temporary stay and you have no other entitlement.

All Visitors

Dentists

• In case of an emergency, dental treatment is provided for free at the Mater Dei Hospital in Msida and the health centres for entitled persons.
• Access to dental care is free for entitled persons, however, limited.
• As a rule, dental care is provided privately and is paid by the patient. These costs are non-refundable.

Hospital treatment

Emergency/necessary treatment can be accessed for free at

1. Mater Dei Hospital, Msida: +356 2545 0000
2. Gozo General Hospital, Gozo: +356 2156 1600
3. Health Centers (see below)

In the event of an acute emergency, patients can call 112 for an ambulance or go directly to the Accident & Emergency (see map below)

Prescriptions

• Any medication prescribed during inpatient treatment – or for the first three days after you are discharged – is free for entitled persons.
• You will be charged in full for anything prescribed after this period and these charges are not refundable.

Ambulance

• In case of an emergency, transport by ambulance to the hospital is covered by the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and for persons entitled to free public health care.

Dialysis, oxygen therapy & chemotherapy

• If these services are required, you should make advanced arrangements for appointments and further information by contacting the provided telephone numbers.
• Renal dialysis – Contact Mater Dei Hospital: Renal Unit – Reception Area +356 2545 6079/+356 2545 6080.  Peritoneal dialysis area: +356 2545 6096
• Oxygen therapy – Contact Mater Dei Hospital: Pharmaceutical Services: +356 2545 6535
• Renal dialysis and Oxygen therapy is provided free on presentation of valid EHIC or if person is entitled for free public health acre.

Need to find Pharmacies, Health Centres and District Dispensaries in Malta and Gozo? Check out our Health Site Finder!

EU Regulation on the coordination of social security systems

EU Regulation laying down the procedure for implementing Regulation 883/2004 on the coordination of social security systems

EU Directive on the application of patients’ rights in cross-border healthcare