🇲🇹 Malta Healthcare Guide
Mater Dei Hospital near Valletta is Malta's main public facility and handles everything from A&E to complex surgery, with English spoken universally by staff. EHIC covers EU visitors, but the system is small — specialist wait times can be long, and Gozo's only hospital transfers serious cases to the main island by helicopter, which is worth factoring in if you're planning a longer stay there.
Quick facts
- Emergency number: 112
- Healthcare system: universal-public
- Average GP visit: $40 USD
- EHIC/GHIC accepted: Yes
- Language barrier: low
Healthcare overview
Malta’s public healthcare is centred on Mater Dei Hospital in Msida, one of the largest hospitals in Europe by floor area and the country’s main acute care facility. EHIC holders receive emergency and inpatient care free of charge. GP visits through public health centres involve waits, while private GPs in Valletta and Sliema charge €20–40 per consultation.
Mater Dei Hospital
Mater Dei is Malta’s sole acute hospital and handles everything from emergencies to specialist referrals for the entire island.
Gozo healthcare
Gozo General Hospital provides basic inpatient care, but most specialist treatment requires transfer to Mater Dei on Malta.
Vaccinations
Recommended
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Typhoid
Prescriptions and pharmacies
Pharmacies across Malta and Gozo are well-stocked with EU-standard medications. The island’s small size means pharmacies are never far away, though Gozo has fewer options. Prescriptions from EU doctors are accepted. Carry your full supply for any specialist medication, as niche products may need to be ordered.
EU prescription acceptance
Pharmacies in Malta accept EU prescriptions directly. For non-EU prescriptions, a local GP consultation (€20–40) may be needed.
Tips for travellers
Mater Dei Hospital covers most specialist chronic conditions, with departments in cardiology, oncology, and endocrinology. For highly specialised treatment, Malta refers patients to UK or Italian hospitals in London, Rome, or Palermo. Having your treatment history saved and accessible in English helps Mater Dei’s specialists review your case quickly, as English is one of Malta’s official languages.
UK and Italian referral pathways
Complex cases beyond Mater Dei’s scope may be referred to hospitals in London, Rome, or Palermo.