Vets Malta: Your complete guide to pet care as an expat

Finding a Vet in Malta: Your Guide through the Maltese Veterinary System

The Maltese healthcare system for pets is quite different from what you know from Germany or Switzerland. Here, instead of a dense network of clinics on every corner, you’ll find a manageable system you can quickly understand.

Private vs. State Veterinary Services: What You Need to Know

Malta operates almost exclusively through private veterinary practices. State-run services do exist theoretically, but they’re mainly for livestock and official matters. For your dog or cat, you’ll always go to a private clinic.

Most veterinary clinics are found around the larger towns: Valletta, Sliema, St. Julian’s, Birkirkara, and Mosta. On Gozo – if you’re venturing there – there are far fewer options. My tip: when apartment hunting, already decide on a nearby clinic. If your dog lives in Mellieha and the next vet is in Birgu, every routine check-up becomes a day trip.

The clinics tend to be small, owner-run, often family businesses. That has pros and cons: you know the vet personally and they know your pet. But it can happen that the practice closes for two weeks because of holidays. Planning appointments here is definitely more important than in Germany.

Vet Costs in Malta: What You’ll Actually Pay

Let me be honest: cheap is different. Vet costs in Malta are closer to Swiss prices than to German ones. A standard check-up costs between €25-40, vaccines run at €30-50 per shot. More complex treatments can quickly run into triple digits.

The reason for higher prices: Malta has to import nearly all medicines and equipment. Also, most vets trained in English-speaking countries, reflected in their fees.

Important: There are hardly any pet insurance options in Malta. The few providers often have so many exclusions they’re hardly worth it. It’s better to set aside a dedicated pet emergency fund of €1,000-2,000 for unexpected treatments.

Booking Appointments: Why English Is Your Friend

Here’s the good news: almost all veterinarians in Malta speak fluent English. Many even trained in the UK or Ireland. German is rarer, but I’ve definitely found clinics where the vet is used to German customers and speaks a few words.

Appointments are usually booked by phone. Online systems aren’t widespread yet, but WhatsApp surprisingly often works well. My vet responds to WhatsApp messages quicker than calls – typically Maltese.

A tip from experience: Book early morning or late afternoon. Maltese siesta is sacred, and between 12 and 3 pm most practices are completely closed. Emergencies are an exception, but for routine appointments, avoid those times.

Bringing Pets to Malta: EU Regulations and Maltese Specifics

Entering Malta with pets basically follows EU regulations. That means: no quarantine drama like in the UK, but also not completely paperwork-free. I went through the process with Luna and can tell you: preparation is everything.

EU Pet Passport and Vaccinations: The Standard

The EU Pet Passport is your most important document. You can get it from any German vet, but be careful: not every passport is filled out correctly. Maltese authorities are picky – and that’s putting it mildly.

Your pet will need:

• A valid rabies vaccination (at least 21 days before entry)
• A microchip (ISO 11784/11785 standard)
• The fully completed EU Pet Passport
• For dogs, an additional tapeworm treatment (24-120 hours before entry)

What many miss: the rabies vaccination must happen after microchipping. If your German vet chips and then vaccinates, the passport is invalid. Yes, the rules are that strict.

My advice: go to the vet at least 4-6 weeks before your trip and explain explicitly that you’re moving to Malta. Most German vets know the EU rules, but Maltese checks are stricter than elsewhere.

Rabies Antibody Test: When Is It Really Needed?

This gets tricky. Generally, as an EU citizen with an EU-vaccinated pet, you don’t need a rabies antibody test. But – and it’s a big but – Malta can still require it if:

• Your pet comes from a non-EU country (even if you’re an EU citizen)
• The vaccination history is patchy or unclear
• You plan to leave and re-enter Malta with your pet

The test costs about €150-200 in Germany and must be done in an EU-approved lab. Results take 1-2 weeks. If you want to play it safe or travel frequently, do it anyway. Better to spend €200 than get an unpleasant surprise at the airport.

Arrival at Malta Airport: Checks and Tips

Malta International Airport has its own veterinary unit, checking all arriving animals. The good news: inspections are thorough but fair. As long as your papers are fine, no problems.

This is how it goes:

1. You notify customs that you’re travelling with a pet
2. A veterinary officer checks your pet passport
3. The animal gets a brief health and microchip check
4. If all’s good: stamp in your passport and off you go

Important: the vet unit isn’t staffed 24/7. Late evening or very early flights can be an issue. If possible, plan your arrival between 8 am and 6 pm.

Insider tip: bring copies of all documents, including the pet passport. Maltese officials like to keep copies for their records, and you don’t want them to keep your original.

Emergency Vet Malta: When Every Minute Counts

This is where it gets serious. Emergencies always happen at the worst times – Sundays, at night, or during Maltese siesta. After a dramatic Saturday night with Luna (spoiler: it all ended well), I know preparation saves lives.

24-Hour Services and Where to Find Them

Malta only has a handful of truly 24/7 veterinary clinics. Most “emergency services” are actually on-call, and you need to phone first.

True 24/7 emergency clinics are mainly in:

• Sliema/St. Julian’s area
• Birkirkara (central)
• Paola (south of Valletta)

Important to know: “Emergency” in Malta often means “we come when we can”, not “we’re there immediately”. Expect to wait 30-60 minutes, even for serious cases. The Maltese pace unfortunately also applies in emergencies.

My strategy: Save at least three emergency numbers on your phone, not just one. If the first vet can’t be reached or says “I can be there in two hours”, you need a backup. WhatsApp numbers often get a faster answer than landlines.

First Aid for Heat: Malta’s Underestimated Danger

Almost all newcomers underestimate this: Maltese sunshine is no joke for pets. Heatstroke is the most common emergency, especially for dogs with thick coats or short noses.

You can spot the signs:

• Excessive panting and drooling
• Unsteady gait or weakness
• Vomiting or diarrhoea
• Dark red or bluish tongue

First aid right away:

1. Move the animal to the shade
2. Cool with lukewarm (not cold!) water
3. Start with paws and neck
4. Offer plenty of water, but don’t force
5. Go to the vet immediately, even if it gets better

My Malta-specific tip: roads and pavements here get incredibly hot. After 10 am you’ll burn your hand on the asphalt. For dog paws it’s torture. Only walk early morning or late evening – stay inside the rest of the day.

Contacts and Addresses for Emergencies

A current emergency list belongs both on your fridge and in your phone. Malta is small, but with the wrong numbers it suddenly feels huge.

One crucial number for any case: 112 (European emergency number). They can at least tell you which veterinary service is currently available. Yes, it’s indirect but better than driving around Valletta clueless.

What else you need:

• Numbers for at least 2-3 local vet clinics
• WhatsApp contacts (if calling fails)
• Address of the nearest 24h clinic saved in your GPS
• A pet carrier that fits in your car

A secret tip: Facebook groups like “Expats Malta” or “Germans in Malta” often respond to emergencies faster than Google. Just post “Need urgent vet recommendation in Sliema” and you’ll have five replies in minutes.

Regular Care: Vaccinations, Deworming and Health Checks

Routine is more important in Malta than in Germany. Why? Because you can’t just spontaneously pop in to the vet around the corner. The Mediterranean climate also has its own challenges – from parasites to skin problems.

Vaccination Schedules in Malta Vs. Germany: What Changes

Basically, standard vaccinations stay the same: rabies, distemper, hepatitis for dogs; flu and feline panleukopenia for cats. But Maltese vets often have different intervals and extra recommendations.

Differences I’ve noticed:

• Rabies is often boosted yearly here, not every three years
• Extra parasite prevention is standard
• Tick and flea protection is more important than in northern Europe
• Heartworm prevention is often recommended (wasn’t an issue in Germany)

My advice: have your German vet provide your vaccine record before moving and show it to your Maltese vet. Most are pragmatic and will adapt to your usual schedule if the core vaccines are up to date.

Health Risks Unique to the Mediterranean: What You Need to Know

Malta isn’t just sun and sea – there are health risks you won’t know from Germany. Leishmaniasis, for example. Sounds exotic, but is real and spread by sandflies.

New risks in Malta:

Leishmaniasis is especially sneaky. Symptoms (skin changes, weight loss, fatigue) often only appear months after infection. German vets barely know the disease – Maltese vet see it regularly.

Prevention routine that works:

1. Monthly spot-on insect repellent
2. No evening walks in high grass
3. Regular blood checks (every 6-12 months)
4. Immediately see a vet for any skin changes

Medicines and Food: What’s Available On-Site

The good news: all standard meds and pet foods are available in Malta. The bad: often only by order and far more expensive than in Germany.

What’s easily available:

• Royal Canin and Hills (in most pet shops)
• Standard dewormers and spot-ons
• Basic medicines for diarrhoea, vomiting
• Antibiotics (only via vet)

What’s better to bring from Germany:

• Special diets for allergies or kidney issues
• Medicines for chronic illnesses
• Favourite treats (selection is limited in Malta)
• Toys and accessories (can be pricey here)

Orders from Germany are possible, but allow 1-2 weeks and possible customs fees. For medicines you need a Maltese vet’s prescription, even if they’re prescription-free in Germany.

Pet shops are mostly found in big shopping malls. Heads-up: the opening times are… special. Most are closed on Sunday, and during the week many shut between 13:00 and 16:00. Plan your shopping accordingly.

Vets Malta Experiences: What Other Expats Report

After two years in various Facebook groups and countless chats at Mellieha dog beach, I have a pretty clear picture how other expat families experience veterinary care. Spoiler: opinions vary.

German Vets in Malta: Do They Even Exist?

The honest answer: barely. I know exactly one German vet in Malta, and he works mainly with horses. There are plenty of German doctors, but with vets it’s mostly English and Maltese people.

What I did find: Vets who have worked in Germany or have lots of German customers. They often understand a bit of German and are familiar with German standards.

My tip from experience: In expat groups, don’t ask for “German vets”, but for “vets used to German clients”. That gets far better recommendations.

What really helps:

• Vets who studied in the UK (similar standards to Germany)
• Clinics with lots of expat clients (used to “German thoroughness”)
• Younger vets (often speak better English)
• Clinics in touristy areas (more experience with foreigners)

Language Barriers and How to Overcome Them

English is the working language here, that’s true. But medical English is a different level. If your dog has “acute gastroenteritis with possible dietary indiscretion”, you want to know what that means in plain German (acute stomach inflammation due to wrong food).

My strategy against language problems:

1. Google Translator app with camera function (scans prescriptions and diagnoses)
2. Learn key terms beforehand (see list below)
3. At the end of the appointment: “Can you explain this in simple English?”
4. Take notes or record a voice memo (with permission)

Veterinary English Survival Kit:

Price Comparison: Malta vs. Germany/Switzerland

Here’s the uncomfortable truth: Malta’s vet costs are closer to Switzerland than Germany. It’s due to import costs for medicines, smaller practices, and fewer cases per clinic.

Realistic cost comparisons from my experience:

Why? Malta has to import nearly everything: meds, devices, sometimes even the vets. On top: high rental costs for clinics and less competition than in big German cities.

But there are positives too: treatment quality is good, waiting times are shorter than in Germany, and the personal touch is stronger. You’re not just a number; you’re truly valued as a client.

Saving tips that work:

• Book vaccinations in “packages” (often cheaper)
• Plan routine checkups (not as emergencies)
• Ask about discounts if you have multiple pets
• Buy medicines online (if legal)
• Take preventive care seriously (cheaper than repairs!)

Frequently Asked Questions about Veterinary Care in Malta

Do I need pet insurance in Malta?

Pet insurance is very rare in Malta and generally not recommended. The few available options come with so many exclusions and deductibles that it’s hardly worth it. It’s better to set aside a personal “vet emergency fund” of €1,000-2,000 for unexpected treatments.

Can I bring German meds for my pet to Malta?

Yes, for personal use and in normal household quantities thats no problem. For prescription meds, bring the German prescription. For long-term therapy, however, youll need a Maltese prescription.

How do I find a good vet in Malta?

The best recommendations come from Facebook groups like “Expats Malta” or “Germans in Malta”. Ask specifically for vets used to expat clients. Important: good English skills, emergency availability and experience with Mediterranean diseases.

How much is neutering/spaying in Malta?

Neutering a cat costs around €80-120, for dogs (depending on size) €120-200. Prices vary between clinics, but are generally higher than in Germany. Always ask upfront for the full price incl. anesthesia and aftercare.

Are there 24-hour emergency services for pets in Malta?

True 24/7 services are rare, mainly in Sliema, Birkirkara and Paola. Most “emergency services” are on-call and must be phoned first. Expect 30-60 minutes’ wait even in emergencies.

What extra vaccines does my pet need in Malta?

Standard vaccinations are the same, but Maltese vets often recommend extra leishmaniasis and heartworm protection. These diseases are unknown in Germany, but real in Malta. Talk to your Maltese vet about useful extras.

Can I continue feeding my German pet food in Malta?

Standard brands like Royal Canin and Hills are available, but usually only by order and pricier. Specialist diets for allergies or conditions are harder to get. For acclimatization, bring a starter supply from Germany.

What do I do if I have a pet emergency at the weekend?

First call your regular clinic’s emergency number – many have on-call services. If not reachable, dial 112 and ask for the veterinary emergency service. Facebook groups often provide quick help from other expats.

Are Maltese vets as good as German ones?

Most Maltese vets trained in the UK or other EU countries and follow European standards. Treatment quality is good; service often more personal than in Germany. Main differences: higher costs and different hours (longer lunch breaks).

Do I need special documents for vet visits in Malta?

For routine checks, the EU Pet Passport is enough. Bring a copy – Maltese clinics like to keep files. For complex treatments or referrals additional paperwork may be required. Keep all treatment receipts.