A Guide to Health Insurance for Expats

Knowing your health will be looked after means one less thing to worry about. With health insurance, you have a safeguard in place in case you need a medical appointment quickly or want to see a healthcare professional in a particular field. 

In Malta, the Ministry for Health and Active Ageing is responsible for health policy and the provision of healthcare for Maltese citizens and residents. Most services are free for those with citizenship in Malta and it’s funded through workplace contributions. 

Malta has a reputation for having excellent healthcare facilities and many expats have benefitted from the care and services provided through this system, made possible through their private health insurance. 

The healthcare system is experienced a little differently depending on the country where you’re a native citizen or resident. For EU and EEA citizens, there may be reciprocal healthcare provision agreements in place. For non-EU nationals, it’s likely that you’ll need a health insurance plan to cover any healthcare needs you may encounter. 

In this article, we discover important aspects of Maltese healthcare to give you the best information in our helpful guide to health insurance for expats in Malta. 

Contents

• How does healthcare work for expats in Malta?
• A guide to health insurance for expats in Malta. 
• Why choose health insurance with GasanMamo. 

How does healthcare work for expats in Malta?

For some EU citizens that have decided to stay in Malta for a longer period, an S1 entitlement form can be submitted for access to the basic public healthcare system. However, an S1 certificate may not guarantee the availability of a full suite of healthcare services. 

Evidence suggests that there could be longer wait times with public healthcare, and you may have to navigate unfamiliar services in order to see the right healthcare professionals. 

Expats living in Malta that are non-EU nationals are required to have a private healthcare policy to access the Maltese healthcare system. It’s also important to know that non-EU nationals have to show their valid health insurance document when they apply for residency and work permits in Malta. 

So if you’re looking to spend an extended amount of time or want to work in Malta, it makes good sense to have an active health insurance policy to help you enjoy everything Malta has to offer. 

A guide to health insurance for expats

The Maltese healthcare system is organised like those found in many European countries, with a primary, secondary and tertiary level. The primary level is usually the first point of contact, like your GP or dentist. Secondary healthcare includes planned procedures or emergency care. 

Finally, the tertiary level includes highly specialised or complex treatments, transplants or other complicated procedures. As an expat, you can go to your chosen GP in Malta and gain access to other services if necessary. For secondary and tertiary care, going to a public hospital will begin the process of securing the health support needed. 

Did you know that the World Health Organisation ranked Malta number 19 in the world’s best healthcare systems in 2023? For a smaller country, this is a significant achievement and demonstrates that expats are well looked after within Malta’s health facilities. 

Expat health insurance recommendations

It’s worth noting that the Maltese government suggests that expats take out a private health insurance policy to ensure they have efficient and effective access to any health support or treatments they may need. 

Remember, if you’re a legal resident and have made social security contributions, you can use Malta’s healthcare system. However, it may be the case that you need specialised treatments, prescriptions or consultant services, and within the public healthcare system this will generally take time to organise. 

Overall, it’s typically recommended that non-EU nationals and expats living in Malta safeguard their health and medical care with a private health insurance plan to help navigate Maltese health services rapidly and successfully. 

Why choose GasanMamo for your health insurance

When you’re busy, you might not be thinking about your health and how to cover treatment expenses if they occur. That’s why we have a comprehensive health insurance policy that suits expats looking to safeguard wellness during their time in Malta. 

With years of insurance industry experience, we offer you flexible choices with all of the benefits private health insurance cover can deliver for you. Our friendly team is on hand to listen to your individual needs and offer you the most suitable plan for peace of mind and quality health insurance coverage. 

Discover the right health insurance for you and your loved ones by searching our health insurance page or contact our team of experts. 

GasanMamo Insurance is authorised under the Insurance Business Act and regulated by the MFSA.

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