“For example, if an English pensioner decides to retire in Malta, has never worked here and paid National Insurance in the UK, it is ‘unfair’ that the person receives healthcare in Malta for free,” explained Ms Sultana. “The E121 ensures that the UK government paying a pension to the person is also paying for him/her to receive free medical service in the country they choose to retire in – in this case Malta.”

Since 1 May, when the E121 was first valid, over 600 E121 forms were registered at the Health Ministry. The majority of the E121 forms have been issued to British pensioners, and the number is expected to increase as the UK processes the numerous applications they have received from their citizens moving to Malta.

“Some foreigners have been living in Malta or Gozo for many years but since 1 May they became entitled to the E121,” said Ms Sultana. “Besides the UK, there are people from Italy, Sweden, Ireland, France and Austria who are already registered as E121 holders.”

Upon presentation of an E121, pensioners are entitled to free medical care and do not have to meet the costs of public hospitals or doctors. One month prior to Malta’s accession to the EU, the British High Commission informed British residents about the E121 and their other entitlements.

The public health care system in Malta is funded through taxation and national insurance. It operates in public hospitals and health care centres. A number of private hospitals, clinics and other facilities provide private health care. Care in these private facilities is funded by private insurance or out of pocket payments.

People living in Malta who are covered by Maltese social security legislation are entitled to public health care services in accordance with entitlements as determined by the Ministry of Health. EU citizens resident in Malta are usually entitled to equivalent consideration. Their entitlement has to be confirmed with and certified by the Entitlements’ Unit. This official certification, together with a personal identification document, will be proof enough for them to receive public health care services.

Similarly, visitors from EU member States have direct access to publicly funded health care services upon presentation of the E111 form together with an identification document. The E111 entitles them to receive needed urgent medical care at the Accident and Emergency Departments of public hospitals and at government health centres. For medical emergency care that requires admission to government hospitals for services such as in-patient care, day care services, diagnostic services or out-patient visits, patients will not be charged if they present proof of EU nationality and a valid E-111 form. The bill will be sent to the EU institution indicated on their E-111 form.

For further information contact the Entitlement Unit on: 2299 2345 / 2299 2346 / 2299 2515.

Shirley Sultana, the head of the unit, said there are approximately 3,000 British pensioners living in Malta and Gozo at present. Over 600 of them have the E121 form which entitles them to receive free medical services in Malta, a service their government is paying for.

“For example, if an English pensioner decides to retire in Malta, has never worked here and paid National Insurance in the UK, it is ‘unfair’ that the person receives healthcare in Malta for free,” explained Ms Sultana. “The E121 ensures that the UK government paying a pension to the person is also paying for him/her to receive free medical service in the country they choose to retire in – in this case Malta.”

Since 1 May, when the E121 was first valid, over 600 E121 forms were registered at the Health Ministry. The majority of the E121 forms have been issued to British pensioners, and the number is expected to increase as the UK processes the numerous applications they have received from their citizens moving to Malta.

“Some foreigners have been living in Malta or Gozo for many years but since 1 May they became entitled to the E121,” said Ms Sultana. “Besides the UK, there are people from Italy, Sweden, Ireland, France and Austria who are already registered as E121 holders.”

Upon presentation of an E121, pensioners are entitled to free medical care and do not have to meet the costs of public hospitals or doctors. One month prior to Malta’s accession to the EU, the British High Commission informed British residents about the E121 and their other entitlements.

The public health care system in Malta is funded through taxation and national insurance. It operates in public hospitals and health care centres. A number of private hospitals, clinics and other facilities provide private health care. Care in these private facilities is funded by private insurance or out of pocket payments.

People living in Malta who are covered by Maltese social security legislation are entitled to public health care services in accordance with entitlements as determined by the Ministry of Health. EU citizens resident in Malta are usually entitled to equivalent consideration. Their entitlement has to be confirmed with and certified by the Entitlements’ Unit. This official certification, together with a personal identification document, will be proof enough for them to receive public health care services.

Similarly, visitors from EU member States have direct access to publicly funded health care services upon presentation of the E111 form together with an identification document. The E111 entitles them to receive needed urgent medical care at the Accident and Emergency Departments of public hospitals and at government health centres. For medical emergency care that requires admission to government hospitals for services such as in-patient care, day care services, diagnostic services or out-patient visits, patients will not be charged if they present proof of EU nationality and a valid E-111 form. The bill will be sent to the EU institution indicated on their E-111 form.

For further information contact the Entitlement Unit on: 2299 2345 / 2299 2346 / 2299 2515