Healthcare in Malta

The healthcare system in Malta

In 2000, Malta was ranked number five in the World Health Organization's ranking of the world's health systems, and it closely resembles the UK’s NHS in being free at the point of delivery.

It’s one of the factors that makes it so attractive to retirees and expats, along with highly evolved financial services and amenities.

The Maltese state healthcare system is extensive and covers many services including specialist treatment, inpatient care, prescriptions, antenatal and postnatal care. Along with the state (public) healthcare system, known as the government healthcare service, there’s the private system.

The public healthcare system provides free services to all Maltese citizens and European Union residents with a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Non-EU citizens living in Malta must obtain private healthcare insurance.

UK nationals can access the Maltese healthcare system for free in a number of ways, including if they are working and paying social security contributions, have an EHIC or (new) GHIC card for temporary stays, or registering an S1 form (if in receipt of a UK state pension). Find out more at gov.uk.

But it is thanks to its tiny size, that it’s fairly easy to access either a hospital or health clinic when you need it, wherever you live on Malta or Gozo. The major public (and teaching) hospital on Malta is the Mater Dei Hospital in Msida.

There are also three private hospitals on the main island: St Thomas, St James and Da Vinci Heath. Other specialist hospitals include the Sir Paul Boffa Hospital (oncology, dermatology and palliative care) and Mount Carmel (mental health). On Gozo, there’s the public Gozo General Hospital in Victoria, with air ambulance link-up to Malta.

Local doctors are available in every locality in Malta – they also operate from within local pharmacies where they see patients for a small fee. So if you are hoping to see a doctor at short notice you can try calling your nearest pharmacy to see if the doctor is in. Bear in mind that you may have to pay for prescribed medicine – although there are exemptions.