What to Do If You Get Sick While on Holiday in Malta

First, assess how serious it is

Pause and ask: could this be an emergency? Severe symptoms need immediate help. For everything else, you have time to choose the most convenient option.

Emergency situations

Call 112 if someone has:

• Severe difficulty breathing or new chest pain.
• Signs of stroke: face drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty.
• Collapse, seizure, or is difficult to wake.
• Severe bleeding, a serious injury or a severe allergic reaction.
• Confusion or very high temperature after heat exposure.

Minor illness

Colds, mild stomach upsets, minor sunburn, insect bites and small cuts can often be managed with rest, fluids and pharmacy advice. Seek medical help if symptoms worsen, do not improve, or you are in a higher-risk group.

Finding a GP

Public health centres provide GP services. If you hold a valid EHIC, you may be able to access medically necessary state care. Check current opening arrangements before travelling.

Private doctors

Many visitors choose a private GP for speed and convenience, especially around tourist areas. Fees vary, so ask in advance. Private medical consultations are available through Doctor St Julian’s Clinic, Malta.

Online consultation

If you feel too unwell to travel, an online consultation may allow a doctor to assess your symptoms from your hotel or apartment and advise whether an in-person visit is needed.

Pharmacies

Pharmacies are found in most towns and resorts. Pharmacists can advise on minor ailments and suitable over-the-counter treatment. Some medicines that are available without prescription at home may require one in Malta, and vice versa. Out-of-hours arrangements vary, so check locally.

EHIC and travel insurance

An EHIC (or UK GHIC) covers medically necessary state-provided healthcare on the same terms as local insured people. It does not cover private treatment, and it does not replace travel insurance, which may cover private care, repatriation and other costs. Check your policy and contact your insurer early if you need treatment.

What documents to keep

• Passport or ID, and your EHIC/GHIC if you have one.
• Travel insurance policy number and emergency contact line.
• Receipts for consultations, medicines and tests.
• Any medical reports, prescriptions or discharge letters.
• A list of your regular medicines and allergies.

Why do I keep getting sick on holiday in Malta?

Travel changes several things at once: sleep, meal times, activity, sun exposure and contact with other people. Repeated late nights, alcohol and long days outdoors can leave you tired or dehydrated. Crowded transport and nightlife also create opportunities for ordinary respiratory viruses to spread, as they do elsewhere.

Unfamiliar food, travel fatigue and a disrupted routine can contribute to discomfort, but Malta itself is not a cause of illness. A persistent fever, severe pain or worsening symptoms should not be explained away as “holiday flu”. Seek an assessment rather than assuming every episode has the same cause.

A less punishing holiday routine

• Build in sleep and shade breaks rather than filling every hour.
• Drink regularly and eat meals; do not rely on alcohol or energy drinks.
• Clean hands before eating and use sensible respiratory etiquette.
• Avoid swimming when dizzy, ill or impaired by alcohol.
• If symptoms recur, keep a note of timing, medicines and activities for your clinician.