Malta

We found no evidence of any official restrictions on entry to Malta based on HIV status.

According to UNAIDS and the US Department of State, Malta does not have any HIV-related restrictions on entry.

We found no evidence of any official restrictions on short-term stay in Malta based on HIV status.

The Immigration Act specifies there are no health restrictions on the right to establish in Malta.

According to Identitá, the official Maltese service responsible for citizens’ identity management and the implementation of migration processes, provides information on temporary residence permit requirements.

Among the documentation required for student visas of more than 90 days, there appears to be no health related requirement.

However, according to the Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Directorate, foreign students and workers are required to undergo ​​compulsory health screening.

Foreign students, aged 18 years and older, who are studying in Malta for more than 3 months, are required to undergo health screening in a private clinic. The forms for students pursuing both general studies and health related studies include a requirement for HIV, HBV, HCV and TB disclosure and, in some cases, testing. All forms for foreign students are available here https://hpdp.gov.mt/idcu/healthscreening/healthscreening_foreign_students 

Similarly, the forms for new and renewal applications for some categories of workers also require disclosure and testing for HIV among other health conditions. All forms for work permits are available here https://hpdp.gov.mt/idcu/health_sreening/application_forms 

However, it is not clear what the implications of disclosure and tests results on the temporary residence permit. 

The following summarises available information on access to healthcare for people living with HIV in Malta. There is no evidence that non-nationals are restricted from accessing treatment in the same way as nationals.

The NGO HIV Malta reports that HIV medication for Maltese and EU Nationals living in Malta, who are HIV Positive is free.  Most healthcare services are offered at Mater Dei Hospital (MDH), known popularly as simply Mater Dei, located in Msida. EU Nationals who travel to Malta for a period that does not exceed three months should carry their European Health Insurance Card that gives you access to medically necessary, state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in any of the 28 EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, under the same conditions and at the same cost (free in the case of Malta) as people insured in that country. Personal importation of up to 3 months of medication for personal use should be ok, especially if it is accompanied by a physician’s prescription for the medication in the name of the traveler.

EU nationals staying in Malta for more than three months still qualify for free healthcare, but they would need to have an E121 form, which can be obtained in your home country. The form has got to be registered with the Malta Health Department Entitlement Unit, who will then issue a Certificate of Entitlement.

HIV Malta states that the Maltese government has new rules for non-EU Nationals (Third Country Nationals) moving to Malta. For the first year, newcomers and their families must get health insurance with at least €100,000 coverage. This insurance should cover medical care, including hospitalization, in Malta and other European countries if needed. HIV Malta is aware that this requirement is being enforced. Treatment may not be provided without proof of residence in Malta for the first year. Occasionally, proof from old ID cards may be requested for those who have recently changed their ID cards – a process we disagree with, however we want to ensure that we provide all information available. When purchasing health insurance, check if it covers HIV. Many local policies do not cover HIV, and if someone has HIV before getting the insurance, it might be considered a pre-existing condition and not covered.

Full information for persons living with HIV who wish to come to Malta to settle permanently can be found in the specialised page here.

Access by undocumented migrants is not foreseen by any legal or administrative provision. According to the non-legally binding policy document: access to “free state medical care and services”. 

• UNAIDS
• US Department of State
• Immigration Act
• Identitá
• Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Directorate