Do I get free healthcare in Malta as an EU citizen?

If you are working in Malta and paying Maltese social security contributions (10% of salary), yes — you access public healthcare on the same basis as a Maltese national. If you are not working (e.g., retired, on GRP/TRP, living on passive income), you will need private health insurance. During visits of under 90 days, your EHIC/GHIC card covers medically necessary treatment at public facilities.

Is Mater Dei Hospital good enough or should I always use private?

Mater Dei is genuinely excellent — 1,000+ beds, modern equipment, fully English-speaking staff, and WHO top-5 ranked system. Emergency care is excellent. The main issue is waiting times for non-emergency specialist appointments. Most expats use public for GP and emergencies, and private for faster specialist access. A supplemental private policy of €25–€60/month solves the waiting time problem.

What does healthcare cost on the Nomad Residence Permit?

NRP holders are not entitled to public healthcare and must have private insurance pre-paid for 1 full year as a visa condition. A comprehensive private plan costs approximately €400–€700/year. Out-of-pocket costs (if uninsured for some reason) are: GP €15–€50, specialist €50–€120, MRI €150–€200. The costs are manageable even without insurance but a policy is both legally required and sensible.

How is dental and optical care handled in Malta?

Dental and optical are almost entirely private in Malta (as in most EU countries). A private dental check-up costs €50–€80; fillings €80–€150; implants €800–€1,200. Private eye tests are €30–€50; glasses from €100 at local opticians. Some health insurance plans include basic dental and optical — check your policy carefully.

Can I use my UK GHIC card in Malta?

Yes — post-Brexit, UK nationals can use their GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card) in Malta for medically necessary treatment at public facilities during temporary visits, on the same basis as an EHIC card. This covers urgent treatment at Mater Dei but not routine GP appointments, dental, optical, or any private care. For long-term residence, UK nationals need private health insurance or must pay social security contributions through employment.

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🇲🇹 Malta

Healthcare

#5 globally

WHO World Ranking

Quality of healthcare systems — a major draw for medical tourists

Free

Public Access (SSC payers)

Expats paying 10% SSC gain full NHS-equivalent access

€15–€50

Private GP Visit

Walk-in or appointment; all in English

€50–€120

Private Specialist

Same-day or next-day appointments common

€150–€200

Private MRI

Significantly cheaper than UK or Germany

From €25/mo

Private Insurance (basic)

Laferla, Elmo, Atlas; international plans from €35/mo

Last updated: March 2026

Overview🏙️Sliema 🏛️Valletta

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Overview

Malta's healthcare system is genuinely world-class — the WHO ranked it 5th globally in 2000 and quality has continued to improve since. Mater Dei Hospital (1,000+ beds, opened 2007) is the main public facility and handles all tertiary care. Expats paying Maltese social security (10% of salary) access public healthcare free of charge, on par with Maltese citizens. Those on visas (NRP, GRP, TRP, MPRP) must hold private health insurance. Private insurance starts from as little as €25/month, and private specialist consultations cost €50–€120 — a fraction of UK or Northern European private rates.

Key Takeaways

Mater Dei Hospital (Msida): Malta's main public acute hospital; 1,000+ beds; opened 2007; ICU, full surgical unit, oncology, A&E; all staff English-speaking; records in English
St James Hospital: the largest private hospital in Malta; established 1986; three Immediate Medical Care Units around the island (functioning as walk-in A&E equivalents); full inpatient capability
Local insurers: Laferla Insurance, Elmo Insurance, Atlas Insurance — local English-language service; basic plans from €275–€300/year (~€25/month)

Public Healthcare — Mater Dei and the NHS Malta

Malta's public healthcare system (run by the government and primarily centred on Mater Dei Hospital) is available free of charge to all individuals who pay Maltese social security contributions — which includes employed expats and their dependants. The system covers GP visits, specialist care, inpatient treatment, surgery, mental health services, and most prescriptions.

Mater Dei Hospital (Msida): Malta's main public acute hospital; 1,000+ beds; opened 2007; ICU, full surgical unit, oncology, A&E; all staff English-speaking; records in English
Sir Anthony Mamo Oncology Centre: adjacent to Mater Dei; 74 inpatient beds; specialist cancer and haematology services
Gozo General Hospital: the sole hospital on Gozo island; 302 beds; air ambulance service to Mater Dei for serious cases
Karin Grech Hospital: geriatric and rehabilitation care
GP services: government health centres (health centres) throughout Malta offer free GP appointments for registered patients
Prescriptions: substantially subsidised for residents with chronic conditions under the government formulary
Waiting times: the main limitation of the public system; non-urgent specialist appointments can involve weeks of waiting; elective surgery often months
EU/EEA citizens (EHIC/GHIC): receive medically necessary treatment free at Mater Dei during visits; for stays over 90 days, an S1 form from your home country's social security system should be registered with Malta's Entitlement Unit
Non-EU residents on visas (NRP, GRP, MPRP): must hold private health insurance — public healthcare is not included in these permits

Private Hospitals and Clinics

Malta's private healthcare sector is well-developed, English-speaking, and significantly more affordable than comparable private care in the UK, Ireland, or Germany. Private hospitals offer same-day or next-day appointments for most specialties and considerably shorter waiting times than the public system.

St James Hospital: the largest private hospital in Malta; established 1986; three Immediate Medical Care Units around the island (functioning as walk-in A&E equivalents); full inpatient capability
St Thomas Hospital: private inpatient and outpatient facility
DaVinci Health Clinics: private outpatient clinics across Malta; popular for specialist consultations
Private GP visit: €15–€50 (walk-in); fully English-speaking throughout
Private specialist consultation: €50–€120 depending on specialty
Private MRI: €150–€200 (compared to €400–€800 in the UK)
Minor surgery (private): €100–€500; major surgery: from €3,000 upwards
Dental: private clinics from €50 check-up to €800+ for implants; significantly cheaper than Northern Europe
Optical: private eye tests from €30; glasses from €100 at local opticians
English fluency: 100% — English is an official language; all private doctors and clinic staff communicate in English

Health Insurance for Expats

Private health insurance is mandatory for NRP, GRP, TRP, MPRP, and MRP holders. Expats who are employed in Malta and pay social security are entitled to free public healthcare but often supplement with private insurance for faster specialist access. Costs are lower than most EU countries.

Local insurers: Laferla Insurance, Elmo Insurance, Atlas Insurance — local English-language service; basic plans from €275–€300/year (~€25/month)
Comprehensive local plans: €400–€700/year covering inpatient, outpatient, and specialist care
International insurers: Cigna, Allianz, APRIL International, Pacific Prime — plans from €600/year (basic) to €2,400+/year (comprehensive with dental, optical, maternity)
NRP requirement: health insurance must be fully pre-paid for 1 full year at time of application; travel insurance and short-term policies are NOT accepted
MPRP/GRP/TRP requirement: must cover the entire European Union; not just Malta
Recommended approach for employed expats: public SSC-funded healthcare (free) + top-up private policy (€25–€50/month) for faster private consultations, dental, and optical
Medical tourism note: Malta attracts medical tourists from the UK primarily for orthopaedic procedures, dental implants, and eye surgery — private prices are 30–50% below UK private rates

FAQs