Health Insurance in Malta for Workers

Public healthcare vs private insurance

Malta has a two-tier healthcare system: the public system (funded by National Insurance contributions) and private clinics and hospitals. Most Single Permit holders employed in Malta access public healthcare through the Entitlement Card.

The Entitlement Card

✓Identità Malta The Entitlement Card is issued by Identità Malta to Single Permit holders and their qualifying dependants. It gives you access to:

• Free GP appointments at government health centres
• Treatment at Mater Dei Hospital (Malta's main public hospital)
• Free or subsidised prescriptions through the government formulary
• Specialist referrals through the public system

Apply for your Entitlement Card immediately after receiving your residence permit. Bring your residence card, passport, and a passport photo to an Identità Malta office, or check for online application options.

What the Entitlement Card does NOT cover

• Private hospitals and clinics (e.g. St James Hospital, St Philip's)
• Dentistry (except emergency treatment)
• Optical care
• Medications not on the government formulary
• Elective or cosmetic procedures

When is private health insurance mandatory?

Private health insurance is required for certain permit and visa types:

• Digital Nomad Visa (Nomad Residence Permit) — requires proof of private health insurance covering Malta and the EU as part of the application.
• Some self-employment residency routes — may require comprehensive private coverage rather than relying on public entitlement.
• Employer-provided benefit — many employers in iGaming, finance, and IT provide private health insurance as part of your package. Check your employment contract.

What private health insurance adds

Even where private insurance is not mandatory, many workers in Malta choose to add a private policy for:

• Shorter waiting times — public hospital queues can be long for non-emergency treatment. Private clinics are faster.
• Dental and optical cover — not covered by the Entitlement Card.
• Choice of specialist — private insurance lets you see a specific consultant rather than being assigned one.
• Coverage during the Entitlement Card gap — it takes 2–4 weeks to receive your card. Travel insurance or a short-term private policy covers this period.

Bridging the gap before your Entitlement Card arrives

In the weeks between arriving in Malta and receiving your Entitlement Card, you are not yet in the public healthcare system. Options:

• Keep your travel insurance active— if it covers Malta and you haven't returned your policy, maintain it until the card arrives.
• Emergency department at Mater Dei — for genuine emergencies you can attend, but you may be billed and need to claim reimbursement later once your card is issued. Keep all receipts.
• Short-term private cover — some insurers offer monthly private health policies. Useful for the first 4–6 weeks.

Insurers commonly used by workers in Malta

Links below go directly to insurer websites. The SafetyWing link is a referral link — MaltaPathway may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.