🛡️ 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

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.

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.

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.

⚖️ The Reality of the System

The Pros:

  • Sexual health services (STI testing, treatment, PrEP, PEP) are provided entirely free of charge.
  • True anonymity is guaranteed through the GU Code System (no names or IDs required for records).
  • You can self-refer directly to the GU Clinic; no GP referral is necessary.
  • Malta is highly rated for LGBTQ+ equality, ensuring professional and affirming care.

The Cons:

  • Care is heavily centralised, with Mater Dei Hospital acting as the single main hub for the country (plus a secondary clinic in Gozo).
  • Relying on a single national clinic can lead to long wait times or difficulty securing routine appointments.

💬 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. If you test positive, speak to the staff at the GU Clinic where you were tested. They can often assist with the partner notification process anonymously on your behalf without revealing your identity.

🗺️ Guide Map

Testing & Clinics

Prevention

Emergencies

Result Management

Support & System