🛡️ The Situation
Sexual healthcare in Malta is highly centralised and almost exclusively provided by the public health system. The Genitourinary (GU) Clinic at Mater Dei Hospital is the single hub for all testing, treatment, PrEP, and PEP. Services are free, confidential, and do not require a doctor’s referral. While having a single clinic for an entire country means you don't have to navigate a complex web of providers, it also means that the clinic can get busy, and following their specific booking procedures is essential.
⚖️ The Golden Rules
Rule 1: Care is Centralised at Mater Dei
Almost all paths lead to the GU Clinic at Mater Dei Hospital (with a secondary clinic available on Gozo). You do not need to register with a GP or get a referral to access sexual health services.
Rule 2: PrEP and PEP are Free
Following policy changes in 2026, both PrEP and PEP are provided entirely free of charge through the public health system.
Rule 3: Use the GU Code System
To ensure absolute confidentiality, the GU Clinic assigns every patient a unique code number. This code, rather than your name or ID card, is used for all tests and records, guaranteeing anonymity even within the public hospital system.
💬 Anonymous Partner Notification
If you test positive for an STI and cannot face telling a recent partner directly—whether due to safety concerns, anxiety, or not having their contact details—you still have a responsibility to stop onward transmission.
Malta does not currently have a centralized, public anonymous notification portal. The most effective route is to ask the clinic or doctor who diagnosed you to assist; many local sexual health units or NGOs can facilitate confidential partner notification on your behalf without revealing your identity. It's always better than silence.
🗺️ Guide Map
Testing & Clinics
Prevention
Emergencies
Result Management
Support & System