Emergency Numbers & Access
Call 112 or 196. Mater Dei Hospital handles ALL emergencies on Malta — there is only one ER. Despite the single hospital, it is modern and well-equipped. Gozo General Hospital handles Gozo emergencies. Comino has no medical facilities — helicopter/boat to Malta. English spoken perfectly by all medical staff — zero language barrier.
Response time: 8-12 minutes anywhere on Malta (tiny island). 10-15 minutes on Gozo. Comino (smallest island): boat/helicopter transfer to Malta or Gozo.
Cost: Public ER with EHIC: FREE. Without EHIC/insurance: €50-300 (public ER visit). Private ER: €100-400. Ambulance: FREE (public). Private hospital admission: €200-800/day.
Healthcare System
Malta has a surprisingly robust healthcare system for its size (population 530,000). Mater Dei Hospital (MDH, opened 2007) is the main public facility — 1,000+ beds, modern, well-equipped, handles everything from routine to complex surgery. Gozo General Hospital serves Gozo island. English is an official language alongside Maltese — ALL medical staff speak fluent English. Many doctors trained in UK. Private sector: St James Hospital, Da Vinci Hospital, and numerous private clinics. Malta is a popular expat and digital nomad destination. The island is tiny (316 km²) — Mater Dei is never more than 30 minutes away from anywhere.
Designed for: All Maltese residents (free, tax-funded). EU citizens with EHIC receive free public care. Non-EU visitors can use public ER (charged) or private clinics.
GP Access & Costs
EU citizens: free at public health centres with EHIC. Private GPs (walk-in or appointment) everywhere. Many pharmacies can advise and treat minor conditions. Hotel doctors available in tourist areas (St Julian's, Sliema, Valletta).
Typical wait: Private GP: same-day, usually within 1 hour. Public health centre: same-day to 2 days. Mater Dei ER (non-urgent): 2-6 hours. Private specialist: 1-5 days.
Availability: Excellent across Malta — the island is only 27km long. Every town has private GPs. Gozo has adequate coverage. Comino: nothing.
GP Visit
Public (EHIC): FREE
Private GP
€20-50 GP, €50-100 specialist
ER Without Insurance
€50-300 public ER, €100-400 private
Medication
Medications at European prices — moderate. Pharmacies well-stocked. Government Formulary List provides free medications to residents. Visitors pay standard pharmacy prices. Brown's Pharmacy and other chains available.
Health insurance is strongly recommended
Pharmacy & Medication
Hours: Mon-Sat 9am-1pm, 4-7pm. Duty pharmacy (il-farmacija tad-dovere) system ensures 24/7 access — rotation posted on pharmacy doors and Times of Malta website.
OTC: Standard European range. Pharmacists well-trained (UK-style pharmacy training). Basic medications available OTC.
Controlled substances: Standard EU regulations. Carry prescriptions for controlled medications. Malta has legalised cannabis for personal use (2021) — available from licensed dispensaries with prescription.
Practical Tips
- Mater Dei Hospital — main hospital for everything. Modern, well-equipped, English-speaking.
- Private GPs are affordable (€20-50) and available same-day everywhere on the island
- EHIC/GHIC provides free public healthcare for EU/UK citizens
- Duty pharmacy location posted on all pharmacy doors and Times of Malta — check before heading out after hours
- Gozo General Hospital handles Gozo emergencies — no need to travel to Malta for most issues
- Sunburn is the #1 health issue for tourists — SPF 50+ essential, Mediterranean UV is intense
- St James Hospital (private) for shorter waits and more comfortable surroundings
- Digital Nomad Permit holders: register for public healthcare after 3 months
Who can get care in Malta?
Emergency care for anyone
Emergency departments in Malta treat everyone regardless of residency or insurance status. Charges can still apply afterwards.
Public system for visitors
Visitors get partial public cover — usually emergencies only, with routine care paid privately.
Seeing a Doctor as a visitor
EU citizens: free at public health centres with EHIC. Private GPs (walk-in or appointment) everywhere. Many pharmacies can advise and treat minor conditions. Hotel doctors available in tourist areas (St Julian's, Sliema, Valletta). Typical cost: Public (EHIC): FREE. Private GP: €20-50. Private specialist: €50-100. Blood tests: €20-60. X-ray: €30-60. MRI: €200-500. Typical wait: Private GP: same-day, usually within 1 hour. Public health centre: same-day to 2 days. Mater Dei ER (non-urgent): 2-6 hours. Private specialist: 1-5 days.
Insurance needed for entry or visa
It depends on nationality and visa route — several routes require proof of medical cover.
Documents worth having ready
- EHIC/GHIC (EU/UK citizens)
- Passport/ID
- Travel insurance (non-EU visitors)
- Prescriptions for medications
Local contacts in Malta
Emergency services
112 (European standard) / 196 (Ambulance Malta)
Call 112 or 196. Mater Dei Hospital handles ALL emergencies on Malta — there is only one ER. Despite the single hospital, it is modern and well-equipped. Gozo General Hospital handles Gozo emergencies. Comino has no medical facilities — helicopter/boat to Malta. English spoken perfectly by all medical staff — zero language barrier.
Pharmacies
Mon-Sat 9am-1pm, 4-7pm. Duty pharmacy (il-farmacija tad-dovere) system ensures 24/7 access — rotation posted on pharmacy doors and Times of Malta website.
Standard European range. Pharmacists well-trained (UK-style pharmacy training). Basic medications available OTC.
What is the emergency number in Malta?
112 (European standard) or 196 (Ambulance Malta) in Malta. Call 112 or 196. Mater Dei Hospital handles ALL emergencies on Malta — there is only one ER. Despite the single hospital, it is modern and well-equipped. Gozo General Hospital handles Gozo emergencies. Comino has no medical facilities — helicopter/boat to Malta. English spoken perfectly by all medical staff — zero language barrier.
How much does a Doctor visit cost in Malta?
Public (EHIC): FREE. Private GP: €20-50. Private specialist: €50-100. Blood tests: €20-60. X-ray: €30-60. MRI: €200-500. Private consultations: €20-50 GP, €50-100 specialist.
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Sources: Malta Ministry of Health, Mater Dei Hospital, WHO Malta, European Commission EHIC, Malta Nomad Residence Permit
Last reviewed: March 2026 by ViscaCare
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