Malta information hub
Healthcare in Malta
How healthcare works in Malta: the free public system and who is entitled, Mater Dei and Gozo General hospitals, health centres, GPs, specialists, pharmacies, emergency care, dental and mental-health services, private hospitals and insurance, EHIC and arrangements for visitors. Not medical advice.
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Malta has a tax- and contribution-funded public health service that is free at the point of use for entitled residents, alongside a sizeable private sector. Life expectancy is among the highest in the EU. This page explains how the system is organised; it is not medical advice.
Key figures
Life expectancy at birth
83.0years
2024
Eurostat — European Commission (data transmitted by NSO Malta) · verified 01 Oct 2026
Hospital beds per 100,000 inhabitants
410per 100,000
2019 (latest transmitted)
Eurostat — European Commission · verified 01 Oct 2026
Every figure shows the reference period and the publishing authority. Statistics are refreshed when the source publishes a new release; see the source register for document details.
| Indicator | Value | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy at birth | 83.0 years | 2024 | Eurostat — European Commission (data transmitted by NSO Malta) · demo_mlexpec, total · verified 01 Oct 2026 |
| Hospital beds per 100,000 inhabitants | 410 per 100,000 | 2019 (latest transmitted) | Eurostat — European Commission · hlth_rs_bds HBEDT · verified 01 Oct 2026 |
Hospitals
Full directory →- Msida
Mater Dei Hospital
Triq Dun Karm, Msida
Malta's main public hospital with the Emergency Department, specialist services and the adjoining Sir Anthony Mamo Oncology Centre.
+356 2545 0000Emergency Department 24 hours
- Victoria, Gozo
Gozo General Hospital
Triq l-Arċisqof Pietru Pace, Victoria
Gozo's hospital with an emergency department, inpatient wards and outpatient clinics.
Emergency Department 24 hours
- Pietà
- Attard
Mount Carmel Hospital
Attard
- Sliema
Private hospital group with facilities in Sliema and Żabbar.
Public healthcare and entitlement
Entitlement to free public care is linked to residence and social security contributions under the Social Security Act: Maltese citizens, EU/EEA citizens working and contributing in Malta, and third-country nationals in employment paying contributions are entitled, as are their dependants. The Entitlement Unit of the Health Department issues confirmation of entitlement and the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to those covered. People resident under programmes such as the MPRP who are not contributing generally need private health insurance, which the MPRP requires in any case.
Hospitals
Mater Dei Hospital in Msida is the main acute hospital, with the Emergency Department, specialist services and the Sir Anthony Mamo Oncology Centre next door. Gozo General Hospital in Victoria serves Gozo. Karin Grech (rehabilitation), Mount Carmel (mental health) and St Vincent de Paul (long-term care) complete the public network. Private hospitals include St James and St Thomas; many consultants work in both sectors.
Health centres, GPs and specialists
Public primary care is delivered through health centres (Floriana, Gżira, Mosta, Paola, Qormi, Rabat, Birkirkara, Cospicua, Kirkop and Victoria) with GP clinics, nursing, out-of-hours services at the larger centres and community clinics in many localities. Private GPs are easy to find and consultations are inexpensive; pharmacies host visiting doctors.
Pharmacies and medicines
Pharmacies are in every town; a rota covers Sundays and public holidays. The Pharmacy of Your Choice scheme supplies entitled patients with free chronic-condition medicines from their chosen pharmacy.
Emergency care
Dial 112. Emergency departments at Mater Dei and Gozo General are open 24 hours.
Dental and mental health
Dental care is largely private, with some public services; mental-health services are provided through Mount Carmel Hospital, community teams and private practitioners.
Visitors and EU arrangements
EU/EEA visitors use their EHIC for necessary treatment; other visitors should hold travel insurance. The UK has a reciprocal arrangement via the GHIC.
Directory
Hospitals and health centres are listed in the Malta directory; confirm details with the service.
Health centres & clinics
Full directory →- Floriana
Primary health care centre of the public health service: GP clinics, nursing, and in larger centres out-of-hours and minor-injury services.
- Gżira
Primary health care centre of the public health service: GP clinics, nursing, and in larger centres out-of-hours and minor-injury services.
- Mosta
Primary health care centre of the public health service: GP clinics, nursing, and in larger centres out-of-hours and minor-injury services.
- Paola
Primary health care centre of the public health service: GP clinics, nursing, and in larger centres out-of-hours and minor-injury services.
- Qormi
Primary health care centre of the public health service: GP clinics, nursing, and in larger centres out-of-hours and minor-injury services.
- Rabat
Primary health care centre of the public health service: GP clinics, nursing, and in larger centres out-of-hours and minor-injury services.
- Birkirkara
Primary health care centre of the public health service: GP clinics, nursing, and in larger centres out-of-hours and minor-injury services.
- Cospicua
Primary health care centre of the public health service: GP clinics, nursing, and in larger centres out-of-hours and minor-injury services.
Sources & Verification
Verified 1 October 2026 against the sources below- Legislation
Social Security Act (Cap. 318), consolidated
Government of Malta — Laws of Malta
Chapter 318 of the Laws of Malta, consolidated
- Published
- —
- Effective
- —
- Last checked
- 01 Oct 2026
- Status
- Active
Reference: CAP-318Official requirement - Official Government
Ministry for Health — health.gov.mt
Government of Malta — Ministry for Health
Mater Dei Hospital, Gozo General Hospital, primary health care centres, Entitlement Unit (EHIC and entitlement to free healthcare)
- Published
- —
- Effective
- —
- Last checked
- 01 Oct 2026
- Status
- Active
Reference: HEALTH-MTOfficial requirement - EU Institution
Eurostat — Population and demography (demo_pjan, demo_pjanind, demo_gind, demo_r_d3dens, migr_pop1ctz, demo_mlexpec, ilc_lvph01)
Eurostat — European Commission (data transmitted by NSO Malta)
Population on 1 January; population density; crude rates; citizenship; median age; life expectancy; household size
- Published
- 25 Sept 2026
- Effective
- —
- Last checked
- 01 Oct 2026
- Status
- Active
Reference: EUROSTAT-POPOfficial requirement - Legislation
Malta Permanent Residence Programme Regulations (S.L. 217.26), consolidated
Government of Malta — Subsidiary Legislation under the Immigration Act (Cap. 217)
Subsidiary Legislation 217.26 — Malta Permanent Residence Programme Regulations, L.N. 121 of 2021 as amended by L.N. 57 and 310 of 2024 and L.N. 146 of 2025
- Published
- 29 Mar 2021
- Effective
- 22 Jul 2025
- Last checked
- 30 Sept 2026
- Status
- Active
Reference: SL-217-26Official requirement
Written by
Malta MPRP Guide Editorial Team
Research & editorial
The editorial team researches the Malta Permanent Residence Programme directly from the consolidated regulations (S.L. 217.26), the Legal Notices that amend them and the Residency Malta Agency's published material. Ever…
Reviewed by
Fact-check & source review
Responsible for reviewing published pages against the current text of S.L. 217.26 and the Agency's official pages, recording the verification date and flagging any page that needs an update after a legislative change. R…