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'Holiday Insurance" for 6 month period of self-employment in Malta?

Last activity 23 March 2016 by ævintýri

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ævintýri

Hi Everyone.

Great to be part of this community!

A question regarding "Holiday insurance."

I will be in Malta for 6 months working on a self-employed basis, and wondered what kind of "holiday insurance" I need.
This is also for the family.

Firstly, do I need one?
We all have EHIC cards but I'm not sure what kind of insurance I need and from who.
Most do a 31 day limit trip, so difficult to find a 6 monthly one.

Any advice?

tearnet

If you are working in Malta then you cannot be a tourist.
The EHIC card covers for emergency medical cover, only if you are a tourist.

If you get private medical insurance claiming to be a tourist when you are working you are committing a fraud and the claim may be denied.

You will require private family medical insurance.

Terry

bernie_iris_fabian_david

If you are registered as self-employed in Malta, I think you'll have to pay for health insurance there. If you're registered as self-employed in another country, I figure you'd be paying for health insurance in that country, so you have health cover through your EHIC card. But, as Terry said, only for emergencies, and you might have to pay upfront and get any money back later.

It always depends on the kind of work, but for computer-based services or any work that can be done regardless of where you actually are, if you are registered as self-employed in Wales, for example, you are technically working "in Wales" even if you are on a holiday in Malta. I'm a self-employed translator, for example, and I often work while I'm on a holiday - I've worked from Italy, Spain, Malta, ... but I'm based in Austria, so I pay health insurance in Austria, I'm taxed in Austria, ...

As for the question of whether there is a private medical insurance that covers a period of 6 months, I'm not sure... I think it would be best to call or e-mail an insurance company, they can tell you more...

Bernie

blackangelheart

A lot of my digital nomad friends swear by this one:

https://www.truetraveller.com/

You just choose 'single trip' and select a period of 6 months. The insurance can only be taken out if you're a resident of the UK or an EEA Country though.

ævintýri

Great!

Thanks you for this!

:)

ephebus

Maybe it will be useful if I answer your question "Firstly, do I need one?", from the perspective of an emergency health professional...

Mater-Dei Hospital, the main hospital in Malta is very central and easily accessible from anywhere on the island. It has top-notch technology and highly-qualified professionals. Malta is not Africa :) They ensure you won't die and minimize any lasting consequences of any medical problem you might have. They know what they're doing. But they are also clogged up. Everyone goes to the emergency service there and that means waiting times up to eight hours or sometimes more, if you show up with something that "can wait".

Private hospitals pride themselves of a quick service, having nearly the same specialists and technology as Mater-Dei. At my emergency department, statistics say you'll be in and out with your problem solved in thirty-seven minutes. But you pay (or your insurance does). From 15 euros to see a doctor on a weekday, to a few thousands for complex surgeries.

It's up to you to decide how much and where you'd rather spend :)

If you decide to acquire health insurance, don't buy the cheapest. You do get what you pay for.

Safe travels!

ævintýri

Thank you! :)

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