The World Health Organisation has ranked Malta’s health care as 5th in the world in 2019 with the United States and the UK ranked 37th and 18th respectively.
The Maltese health care system is very well-respected and residents are able to choose between the private and public systems.
If you are a non-EU national and travelling to Malta, it is advised that you take out travel insurance that covers medical costs in Malta, including medical evacuation in an emergency. If you have applied for one of the Residence Programs, taking out private medical cover is a pre requisite.
For EU nationals, to gain a certificate of entitlement you will need to obtain a S1 form from your home country as your key to accessing healthcare in Malta. Click here for more information on the S1 form.
Public Health Care:
Malta’s main state hospital is in the town of Msida (Mater Dei hospital) near the capital city of Valletta, and Gozo General Hospital on the island of Gozo, Malta’s sister island to the north.
The Mater Dei is the biggest medical site in Europe. Patients are only admitted here via a doctors referral or through the emergency department. It is a teaching and general hospital.
Maltese healthcare is funded through taxation and covers most types of treatment. Eight health centres provide primary healthcare available over the Maltese Islands, with seven on the mainland and one on the island of Gozo.
Click here to find information on Malta’s health centres and the areas they serve. The health centres offer general practitioner and nursing services as well as others such as gynaecology and psychiatry.
Apart from general practitioners and nursing facilities and care, the health centres provide a range of services from gynaecology clinics, ophthalmic clinics, psychiatric clinics, diabetes clinics, podiatry clinics, physiotherapy, speech and language therapy and antenatal and postnatal clinics. In addition, secondary and tertiary care is also offered by public hospitals over the country as well.
Every village has at least one pharmacy where they provide the services of the general practitioner.Some offer on-site specialists at certain times.
Private Health Care:
If you are employed as an expat in Malta or are a non-EU national, you are very likely to have had to get private medical cover, in which most medical services are covered. When you visit a private clinic, you are likely to have to pay after your visit and then get reimbursed by the medical insurance company.
Private hospitals in Malta are affordable when compared with other European countries. They offer the benefit of shorter waiting times and often superior facilities.
Monthly premiums start from € 87 per person to € 180 per person depending on the type of cover you take.
Some of the best private clinics Malta are:
Medicaid, is in the vicinity of the airport and is very accessible from the main roadways. The clinic is home to several Family Doctors on a daily basis and you can also find medical specialists for ENT, heart problems, diabetes, orthopaedics and much more.
Situated in Bugibba in the north
Pjazza Medics recruits renowned specialists that are passionate, professional and caring while respecting their patient’s privacy. Some of their main services include;
- Blood Testing
- Cosmetic & Aesthetic Dermatology
- DNA Testing
- E.N.T
- Food Intolerance Blood Testing
- Naturopathy
- Physiotherapy
- Psychology and Family Therapy
- Therapeutic & Healing Massages
St Julians Medical and Dental clinic:
Centrally situated in Malta, what started as a specialised dental clinic, has grown into an advanced, state of the art medical clinic providing and all-round service in healthcare.
The medical clinic provides a large number of services ranging from Medical Aesthetics, Cardiology, Psychology, Dentistry and Physiotherapy.
Also centrally situated in Qormi, St Thomas is one of the most advanced hospitals you can find on the island.
St Thomas Hospital has been launched recently and offers state of the art medical services and equipment. They invest in quality medical technology and thereby attract some of the best doctors and surgeons in the field.
Medical Insurance:
For expats, it is best to go for international health insurance rather than a local health plan. It helps you get access to hospitals and doctors of your preference. It applies not just in Malta but in other countries that are stipulated in your policy.
A comprehensive international policy will insure you against medical costs while living in Malta and for medical evacuations or repatriation if needed.
Emergency Services:
In case of any untoward incident or an emergency that requires immediate medical attention, you can call an ambulance as soon as possible. Just like the other 28 EU member nations, people across Malta can also dial the toll-free number 112 for 24/7 emergency services
