Study abroad in Malta: The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) covers medically necessary treatment, but not repatriation. The German Federal Foreign Office names no visa requirement for German citizens. The University of Malta gives 550 to 700 euros a month for shared accommodation and 450 euros for food, undated.
Study abroad in Malta at a glance
| Item | Details (as of October 2026) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Health insurance | The EHIC applies, according to the Federal Foreign Office only at state polyclinics and Mater Dei Hospital, repatriation is not covered | German Federal Foreign Office, European Commission (EHIC FAQ) |
| Visa | No visa requirement named, registration may be requested after three months | German Federal Foreign Office, European Commission (Your Europe) |
| Tuition fees | Erasmus+ students are exempt from fees for tuition, registration and examinations, small fees may apply | European Commission (Erasmus+) |
| Living costs | Shared accommodation 550 to 700 euros, food 450 euros a month (undated page) | University of Malta |
| Auslands-BAföG (German study abroad grant) | Possible, responsible office according to the DSW: Studierendenwerk Saarland | German Student Services (DSW), leaflet January 2026 |
All details are general information, not individual advice. The linked official pages are authoritative.
How are you insured in Malta?
EHIC and your statutory health insurance
Malta is an EU member, so the EHIC applies there. According to the European Commission, treatment follows the law of the host country. For students, the card replaces the form E-128 and gives access to treatment that is necessary given the length of your stay. The Commission states that the card has nothing to do with repatriation.
The German Federal Foreign Office notes, however, that the card is accepted in Malta only at state polyclinics and at Mater Dei Hospital. At all other practices and clinics, costs must be advanced. Find out before you leave where you can be treated, and ask your statutory health insurer to confirm in writing how you are insured before you sign the learning agreement. If you have private health insurance, see our guide Health insurance during a semester abroad (in German).
What does your German insurer pay?
Treatment is billed under the rules of the host country. Abroad, higher co-payments can apply, which is a cost risk. Keep all receipts. If you pay for treatment first, the German federal portal says your insurer reimburses only what comparable treatment would have cost in the insuring state, minus an administrative deduction.
Inpatient treatment in the EU requires prior approval from your insurer, as does treatment that also needs approval in Germany. For planned outpatient treatment, the federal portal advises checking with your insurer in advance.
Private travel health insurance and repatriation
The card does not replace travel health insurance. Repatriation to Germany is not covered. The German Federal Foreign Office advises travel health and repatriation insurance for the whole duration of your stay. The federal portal names repatriation and higher co-payments abroad as a residual risk that private travel health insurance can cover. For background, see Travel health insurance for Erasmus, the USA and Work and Travel (in German).
Do you need a visa for Malta?
No. The German Federal Foreign Office names no visa requirement for German citizens in Malta. Accepted travel documents are a passport, a provisional passport, an ID card and a children’s passport. A provisional ID card must be valid on entry.
According to the European Commission, the host country may not require registration during the first three months. After that, Malta may require you to register your residence. For stays longer than three months, the Commission names three conditions: enrolment at a recognised institution, comprehensive health insurance and sufficient resources. Keep these documents ready:
- A valid ID card or passport
- Proof of enrolment at the host university
- Proof of comprehensive health insurance
- Proof of sufficient resources, the Commission names no fixed minimum amount
According to the Federal Foreign Office, there is no travel warning for Malta (page as of 25 October 2026). The page warns of petty crime such as pickpocketing, especially in tourist areas such as Paceville and on buses. Organised gangs are active, drink spiking in bars occurs occasionally, and sexual and violent assaults happen from time to time.
For direct entry from Germany, the Federal Foreign Office states that no compulsory vaccinations apply. Standard vaccinations, especially against measles, and hepatitis A are recommended, and hepatitis B for long stays.
What does a semester in Malta cost?
Tuition fees
As an Erasmus+ student, you are exempt from fees for tuition, registration and examinations at the host university. The Commission also names fees for access to laboratories and libraries as covered. Small fees, for example for insurance or membership of a student union, may still apply. We have not verified their amount, so ask your host university.
Living costs
The University of Malta lists on its living costs page 550 to 700 euros a month for shared accommodation, 800 to 1,600 euros for accommodation on your own, 450 euros for food and drinks without restaurant visits, 30 euros for mobile phone and Wi-Fi, 80 to 100 euros for laundry, 50 euros for electricity and water and 200 to 300 euros for other expenses. The page carries no date and addresses international students in general, not exchange students in particular. Ask your host university for its budget for exchange students.
Funding: Erasmus+ and Auslands-BAföG
Your university sets the Erasmus+ grant. The Commission describes it as a contribution to travel and daily living costs, with the amount depending among other things on living costs, the number of applicants and the distance between countries. It names no fixed amount. For more, see Planning Erasmus and a semester abroad (in German).
Auslands-BAföG, the German study abroad grant, is available for study abroad. A permanent residence in Germany is required. Funding starts in the month of application, at the earliest with the start of the study abroad. According to the leaflet, the application should ideally be made six months before you start. Within the EU, the leaflet of the German Student Services (as of January 2026) does not require a prior year of study in Germany. According to the DSW assignment, the Studierendenwerk Saarland is responsible for Malta. The leaflet names a one-off travel allowance, a health insurance supplement and tuition fees of up to 5,600 euros for a maximum of one year. Details are in Auslands-BAföG: requirements, amount and supplements (in German).
Worked example: For a five-month Erasmus+ semester, shared accommodation of 550 to 700 euros and food of 450 euros a month come to 1,000 to 1,150 euros a month, so 5,000 to 5,750 euros over five months. Electricity, phone and other expenses are not included. Small fees, whose amount we have not verified, are extra. Travel and travel health insurance are not included. The total is a guide, not a commitment.
Steps before you leave
- Ask your statutory health insurer to confirm in writing how you are insured during your semester abroad before you sign the learning agreement.
- Ask your host university which practices and clinics accept your EHIC, as the Federal Foreign Office names only state polyclinics and Mater Dei Hospital.
- Check that your EHIC is valid until the end of your stay and order a new card in good time if needed.
- Take out travel health and repatriation insurance, because the card does not cover repatriation.
- Plan money for treatment where costs must be advanced.
- If you receive funding, submit your Auslands-BAföG application about six months before you start.
- Ask your international office about the Erasmus+ grant and all fees at the host university.
- Ask a doctor to check your measles and hepatitis A protection, as the Federal Foreign Office recommends.
- Keep your ID card or passport, proof of enrolment and proof of insurance ready for a possible registration after three months.
Frequently asked questions
Does my EHIC work in Malta?
Yes, for medically necessary treatment under the rules of the host country. According to the Federal Foreign Office, the card applies in Malta only at state polyclinics and at Mater Dei Hospital. Repatriation is not covered.
Do I need a visa for Malta?
No. The Federal Foreign Office names no visa requirement for German citizens. After three months, Malta may require you to register.
Do I have to pay tuition fees in Malta?
Not as an Erasmus+ student for tuition, registration and examinations. Small fees, for example for insurance, may apply.
What are living costs in Malta?
The University of Malta names 550 to 700 euros a month for shared accommodation and 450 euros for food. The page is undated and addresses international students in general.
Does my health insurer pay for repatriation?
The European Commission says the card has nothing to do with repatriation. Travel health and repatriation insurance covers this risk. Ask your insurer about the scope of cover.
Who handles Auslands-BAföG for Malta?
According to the DSW assignment, the Studierendenwerk Saarland is responsible.
Sources
- German Federal Foreign Office, Malta: travel and safety advice (page as of 25 October 2026, in German)
- European Commission, Your Europe: Studying in another EU country (last changed 30 September 2026)
- European Commission, social security FAQ: European Health Insurance Card (undated)
- European Commission, Erasmus+: studying abroad (last updated 18 December 2025)
- German federal portal, health insurance abroad (last updated 6 December 2022, in German)
- German Student Services, Auslands-BAföG leaflet (as of January 2026, in German)
- University of Malta, Living costs (undated)
Sources accessed on 25 October 2026, unless stated otherwise.
Related guides
- Health insurance during a semester abroad (in German)
- Auslands-BAföG: requirements, amount and supplements (in German)
- Travel health insurance for Erasmus, the USA and Work and Travel (in German)
- Study abroad in Italy
- All countries for your semester abroad (in German)
You can find the online check at check.academycon.de.
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice. The German version is authoritative.
