With the E111, Maltese visiting EU member states may receive emergency healthcare on the same conditions as those received by the citizens of the country they are visiting, according to Shirley Sultana, the head of the Entitlement Unit at the Health Ministry.

Throughout the year, but particularly in summer, thousands of Maltese travel across the world. But before last May they could never travel with their minds at rest that should they require emergency medical care while on holiday, they can receive it for free or at a reduced cost – as EU citizens.

Ms Sultana said the unit she has run since it was first set up in January has been inundated with requests for the E111 form. This is not surprising, though, as travel agencies, too, are advising customers to ensure they fill in this form before taking their holiday.

An average 260 enquiries on the E111 are received daily by the staff at the unit. In May, 1,954 E111 forms were registered and 2,486 were issued last month.

Although the E111 entitles EU citizens to free or reduced-cost emergency care in EU member countries, this provision of health care is also available in Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. The EU reciprocal health care arrangement applies to all these countries.

Should the need arise, upon presentation of an E111 form any Maltese will receive the required emergency treatment as provided for by the state to the nationals of that country being visited. Private treatment, however, is not covered.

The E111 does not replace medical travel insurance, one complements the other.

Travel insurance is still necessary as it covers a person in countries which do not form part of the EU.

Although EU member states have been inundated with requests for the E111 form since 1 May, eventually a European Health Insurance Card will phase out the current E111 and other health forms.

Over time the card could become a form of medical passport entitling holders to medical care anywhere in the EU.

While some countries are introducing the card immediately, others are phasing it in over the next 18 months.

Belgium, France, Luxembourg, Spain, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Estonia and Slovenia are all expected to introduce it immediately. Norway which is not a member of the EU is also joining the scheme.

The remaining member states, including Malta, will phase it in, and all countries are expected to have introduced the card by the end of 2005.

For the time being however, the E111 forms are to be used.

For further information contact the Entitlement Unit on tel. 2299-2345, 2299-2346, 2299-2515.