How the Maltese Healthcare System Works

If you are planning to relocate to Malta, healthcare is one of those practicalities you eventually have to deal with. While no one likes to think about needing a doctor, it is crucial to understand how the system works here and what you need to look out for before you actually need medical attention.

Contributions are paid to the National Insurance (NI)

Basically, the Maltese healthcare system operates quite differently from the insurance-based models you might be used to in Central Europe (like Germany or Switzerland). It is actually much closer to the British system—which makes sense given Malta's colonial history.

Funding does not come from independent insurance funds, but is financed directly by the state. To support this, working residents in Malta must pay a monthly contribution to the National Insurance (NI). The exact amount varies from person to person, depending on your employment status (freelancer, employee, etc.) and your income level.

If you are regularly employed by a Maltese company, you generally contribute 10% of your gross salary to the NI. Investors who have set up a company in Malta to benefit from the Malta Limited structure need to factor this into their salary calculations.

Public hospitals vs. Health Centres: What to expect

Since the monthly contribution is deducted automatically, access to public healthcare in Malta is free at the point of use. There are state-run practices and hospitals that offer a standard level of service.

However—and I have to be honest here—you should be prepared for significant wait times, especially in the hospitals. It is not uncommon to wait several hours for treatment simply because of staffing shortages.

The so-called Health Centres (often referred to as Polyclinics), which you can visit for minor injuries without an appointment, are generally less overwhelmed than the main hospital emergency room.

This situation has led to a large portion of the population—myself included—opting for private health insurance. The service is generally better, and the wait times are significantly shorter. In that regard, the private sector here feels much more like what you might be used to in the UK or Germany: you pay for efficiency and comfort.