State and private care: how the system is split
Malta has a public health service centred on Mater Dei Hospital and local health centres, alongside a well established private sector. Residents and EHIC or GHIC holders can use state care, but waiting times for non-urgent problems can be long and health centres are not always convenient if you are staying in St Julian's, Paceville or Sliema. Private clinics such as ours exist for exactly this gap: a same-day appointment, a full consultation and the documents you need afterwards.
Seeing a doctor as a visitor: what to expect
- Call or WhatsApp the clinic and describe the problem, no local registration required
- Same-day or next-day appointments are usual for common holiday illnesses
- Consultations are in English, and our team also covers other languages
- Bring photo identification and your travel insurance details if you have them
- You pay at the clinic and claim back from your insurer afterwards
Common reasons visitors come to the clinic
- Sunburn, heat exhaustion and dehydration after long days outdoors
- Stomach upsets, food poisoning and traveller's diarrhoea
- Throat, chest and ear infections, including after flights
- Cuts, sprains and minor injuries from watersports, hiking and nightlife
- Insect bites, allergic reactions and skin rashes
- Running out of regular medication while away from home
When a hotel or apartment visit is the better option
If you have a high fever, cannot keep fluids down, are travelling with a sick child or simply cannot face a taxi, a doctor on call can come to you. Hotel doctor visits cover St Julian's, Paceville, Sliema, Gzira and nearby areas. Have the property name, room or apartment number, a working phone number and a list of any regular medication ready when you call, and let reception know a doctor is expected.
Prescriptions and pharmacies in Malta
Many medicines that are sold over the counter elsewhere need a prescription in Malta, including most antibiotics. After your consultation the doctor can issue a prescription that a local pharmacy will dispense. Potter's Pharmacy is next door to the clinic, so in most cases you can be seen and collect your medication in the same trip. If you take regular medication, travel with a copy of your usual prescription or a photo of the packaging.
Travel insurance: getting the paperwork right
- Ask for an itemised receipt showing the date, your name and the amount paid
- Ask for a medical report or certificate stating the diagnosis and treatment
- Keep pharmacy receipts and any test or imaging invoices
- Photograph every document before you fly home, in case originals go missing
- Notify your insurer early if treatment is likely to be costly or ongoing
Longer stays: digital nomads, students and new residents
If you are in Malta for months rather than days, it helps to have a clinic you can return to. We can act as your regular point of contact for consultations, repeat prescriptions where clinically appropriate, blood tests, health screening and referrals to specialists, while you sort out registration with the state system. Physiotherapy is available in the same building, which is useful for desk-related back and neck pain or gym and sports injuries.
Emergencies and out of hours
Call 112 for any emergency. Mater Dei Hospital in Msida runs the island's emergency department and is roughly fifteen minutes by car from St Julian's. For urgent but non-emergency problems outside clinic hours, a doctor on call is usually the fastest way to be assessed where you are staying.
This guide is general information, not medical advice. If your symptoms are severe or getting worse quickly, call 112 or attend the emergency department at Mater Dei Hospital.
For life-threatening emergencies, call 112.
