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Every year, residents of Malta go on thousands of overseas journeys. Travel
across the world is now so common that it is easy to forget the health
risks which can be involved. This area of the website contains advice for
travellers about planning ahead, staying healthy and getting treatment
elsewhere in the world. Also in this area is information about the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) which, as from the 1st January 2006, replaced the E111. It gives
citizens entitlement to free or reduced-cost emergency care in most other
European countries.
If you fall ill or have an accident when abroad, it could prove dangerous, even fatal. Obtaining treatment can seem
complicated to Maltese citizens used to Maltese Healthcare. And, unless you
are properly prepared, it could turn out to be extremely expensive.
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Wherever you are travelling, this site is
designed to help you to deal successfully with any medical emergencies that
might arise.
It contains essential information and advice on:
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how to obtain emergency medical treatment in countries
throughout the world;
how to obtain and use the EHIC, which in public hospitals or
health facilities will provide you with free or reduced-cost emergency
medical treatment in countries within the European Economic Area (EEA).
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The level of emergency medical cover available to Maltese citizens in countries around the world varies greatly.
Overall, it is of three kinds.
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The European Economic Area consists of the
25 member states of the European Union (EU) plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and
Norway. The European Union (EU) reciprocal health care arrangements apply to
all of these countries as well as Switzerland (as from 01.04.2006).
In public health facilities, travellers from Malta, who are eligible, are entitled to
free or reduced-cost emergency medical treatment in the other 27 EEA
countries and in Switzerland – in most cases on production of an EHIC. This is the
EC document that confirms the holder is entitled to emergency treatment.
An application for the EHIC, and guidance on how to
complete it may be found at the Apply for a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)Section.
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