Healthcare in Malta for International Students: 2026 Insurance Guide

Non-EU international students in Malta are not entitled persons under the public healthcare system, which means access to subsidised public care is limited. Understanding what your mandatory visa insurance covers — and what it does not — before you arrive will help you budget correctly and avoid unexpected costs. This guide covers how the Maltese healthcare system works for non-EU students, what both insurance thresholds cover, and what you will pay out of pocket for routine care.

How Healthcare in Malta Works for International Students

Malta's healthcare system operates across three tiers. As a non-EU/EEA student, your access to each tier is different from that of Maltese citizens or EU nationals holding a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).

Emergency Healthcare in Malta: Hospitals and Contact Info

• In a medical emergency, call 112 for an ambulance or make your way to the Accident and Emergency department at your nearest public hospital. 
• Emergency treatment will not be refused to any person regardless of nationality or residence status, though non-EU patients may be billed after treatment.
• Keep your health insurance documents accessible at all times. Any medication prescribed during inpatient treatment or for the first three days after discharge is free for entitled persons. As a non-EU student you are not an entitled person, so budget for prescription costs and submit any receipts to your insurer.

Malta Student Visa Health Insurance: What is Covered?

International students in Malta should be aware that two different insurance requirements apply at different stages of the immigration process.

Student Visa Insurance (€30,000 Minimum Coverage)

When applying for a Malta National Visa (Type D), students are generally required to hold Schengen-compliant travel medical insurance with a minimum coverage of €30,000. The policy must cover emergency medical treatment, hospitalisation, and repatriation, and be valid throughout the Schengen Area for the required travel period.

Residence Permit Insurance (€100,000 Minimum Coverage)

After arriving in Malta, most non-EU students applying for a residence permit (eResidence Card) must hold private health insurance with a minimum coverage of €100,000. According to Identità, the policy must cover medical treatment and hospitalisation in Malta, remain valid for the entire period of stay, and meet the requirements introduced on 1 August 2024. Some exemptions apply.

Student Visa Insurance Coverage

Using Private Clinics in Malta: Costs and What to Expect

• For non-emergency care including GP visits, prescriptions, and specialist appointments, you will use private clinics in Malta. 
• A private GP consultation typically costs between €20 and €50 depending on the clinic. 
• Keep all receipts and invoices as your insurer will require originals to process a claim. 
• Dental care is provided privately as a rule, and costs are paid by the patient and are non-refundable unless your specific policy covers them. 
• Your institution's student services office can usually recommend a local private clinic.

Your Peace of Mind Starts with Preparation

The key practical steps before arrival: confirm your entry visa insurance meets the €30,000 Schengen requirement, arrange a private health policy with at least €100,000 coverage for your eResidence Card application, budget €20–€50 per private GP visit for routine care, and keep all receipts for insurance claims. Your institution's student services office can recommend a local private clinic and advise on the mandatory health screening required as part of the eResidence process.